The UAE has topped Arton Capital’s Passport Index for the seventh year running. The ranking measures passport strength by no-visa and visa-on-arrival access, with the UAE posting a mobility score of 179, and a global reach of 90%.

Zooming out: Asia is emerging as a mobility heavyweight. Singapore vaulted to second place from 30th, while Malaysia climbed to 17th from 41st. Europe still dominates the top tier — with Spain sharing second place with Singapore, followed by France, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, and Italy in third — but most Western passports logged small declines.

Our take: Global travel is getting harder as tighter border controls and stricter entry rules, especially in Washington and post-Brexit Europe, reduce no-visa access for many countries, quietly reshuffling the passport league table.

So what’s keeping the UAE on top, is Asia’s rise structural, and what does passport strength actually buy? We spoke with Armand Arton, CEO of Arton Capital, to break it down.

ENTERPRISEAM UAE: What has been decisive in keeping the UAE at the top of the global passport rankings for so long?

ARMAND ARTON: A long-term, highly strategic approach to mobility rather than any single diplomatic breakthrough. The UAE’s broader geopolitical positioning as a neutral, stable, and business-friendly hub has strengthened trust and made reciprocal mobility agreements easier to sustain as global travel rules tighten. Early adoption of digital travel modernization has further reinforced its standing as a low-friction passport.

E: Is the rise of Asian passports on the index — and the slide in Western ones — a temporary post-pandemic adjustment, or something more structural?

AA: The data increasingly points to a structural shift rather than a temporary correction. Western passports, particularly those of the UK, US, and Canada, have experienced consecutive years of decline driven by tighter entry requirements, reduced reciprocity, and a more inward-looking approach to border control.

In Asia: The rapid ascent reflects deeper geopolitical and economic realignment. Countries such as Singapore and Malaysia are converting trade integration, regional leadership, and diplomatic influence into tangible mobility gains.

E: What does stronger passport mobility actually mean in practice for investors, founders, and globally mobile professionals?

AA: In practical terms, stronger passport mobility translates into optionality and resilience. For investors and entrepreneurs, it reduces friction around dealmaking, market entry, and operational oversight by enabling faster, more predictable cross-border movement.

A powerful passport is no longer symbolic: As global openness declines, the practical value is operational. For globally mobile professionals, stronger mobility allows individuals to respond quickly to geopolitical, regulatory, or economic shifts by relocating talent, capital, or family with minimal disruption.

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