UAE Passport Visa Free Countries 2026 — 180+ Destinations

The UAE passport is one of the world's fastest-rising travel documents, granting access to 180+ countries visa-free or with simple online authorisation in 2026. The UAE passport has risen dramatically over the past decade through aggressive diplomatic engagement, securing visa-waiver deals with the EU Schengen Area, UK, Russia, China, Brazil, and most of Africa and Asia. UAE citizens can visit all 27 EU Schengen countries, the UK, Japan, South Korea, and the vast majority of Africa without a visa. Its ranking reflects the UAE's success as a neutral, globally-connected nation despite the lack of US Visa Waiver Program membership.

Rising Passport: The UAE passport rose from rank ~65 in 2014 to the global top 15 by 2026 — one of the fastest improvements in passport history.

Top Visa-Free Destinations for UAE Passport Holders

CountryAccess TypeStayNotes
GermanyVisa Free90/180 daysETIAS required
FranceVisa Free90/180 daysETIAS required
ItalyVisa Free90/180 daysETIAS required
SpainVisa Free90/180 daysETIAS required
United KingdomVisa Free6 monthsETA required from 2025
JapanVisa Free90 daysNo requirements
South KoreaVisa Free90 daysNo requirements
SingaporeVisa Free90 daysNo requirements
ThailandVisa Free30 daysNo requirements
IndonesiaVisa Free30 daysMajor airports only
MalaysiaVisa Free90 daysNo requirements
RussiaVisa Free90 daysNo requirements
ChinaVisa Free30 daysMutual visa-free since 2015
BrazilVisa on Arrival30 daysAvailable on arrival
MexicoVisa Free180 daysNo requirements
South AfricaVisa Free30 daysNo requirements
MoroccoVisa Free90 daysNo requirements
EgyptVisa on Arrival30 daysAvailable on arrival
KenyaeVisa90 daysETA required online
EthiopiaVisa on Arrival30 daysAvailable on arrival
TurkeyVisa Free90 daysNo requirements
IndiaeVisa60 dayse-Tourist Visa available
AustraliaeVisa90 daysETA required, ~A$20
New ZealandeVisa90 daysNZeTA required, NZ$23
ColombiaVisa Free90 daysNo requirements

Countries Requiring a Visa

UAE passport holders need advance visas for: USA (B1/B2 visa), Canada, and a small number of nations. Despite not being in the US Visa Waiver Program, UAE citizens with strong financial profiles typically receive US visas. The UAE also benefits from strong relationships with regional powers, making Gulf travel entirely unrestricted.