Passport Comparison

United Arab Emirates vs United States Passport

Side-by-side passport strength comparison 2026

United Arab Emirates

SCORE / 100

United States

96.5

SCORE / 100

✓

United States has the stronger passport with a higher Travel Freedom Score.

Category	United Arab Emirates	United States
Global Rank	#10	#5 ✓
Strength Score	94/100	96.5/100 ✓
Visa-Free Countries	183	186 ✓
eVisa Countries	6 ✓	5
Visa on Arrival	4 ✓	3
Total Accessible	193	194 ✓
Schengen Member	No	No
EU Member	No	No
GCC Member	Yes	No

United Arab Emirates Full Profile United States Full Profile All Rankings

United Arab Emirates vs United States: Passport Verdict

United States holds the stronger passport in this comparison, ranked #5 globally with a Travel Freedom Score of 96.5/100. United Arab Emirates ranks #10 with a score of 94/100 — a gap of 2.5 points. United States passport holders can enter 3 more countries without a pre-arranged visa. Across all accessible destinations (visa-free, eVisa, and visa-on-arrival), United States leads by 1 country. United Arab Emirates's GCC membership also provides shared visa-free corridors across the Gulf region.

VizaHunt's Travel Freedom Score is a weighted index: visa-free access (60%), eVisa availability (25%), visa-on-arrival options (10%), and reciprocity quality (5%). Scores range from 0 to 100. Global Rank compares total accessible destinations — anywhere you can enter without a pre-arranged embassy appointment. A higher score and lower rank number both mean a more powerful passport.

Why Two Passports May Have Very Different Scores

Passport strength reflects diplomatic relationships built over decades. Countries with strong trade partnerships, bilateral visa waiver agreements, and mutual travel treaties tend to have higher scores. Geopolitical tensions, sanctions, or newly negotiated agreements can shift rankings significantly within a single year.

Schengen and EU membership provide significant boosts because all member-state citizens benefit from the same travel agreements, effectively pooling diplomatic relationships. Similarly, GCC member passports share certain visa-free corridors across the Gulf region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do United Arab Emirates passport holders need a visa to visit United States?

Entry requirements depend on your specific passport and destination. Check the full visa requirements on the United Arab Emirates → United States visa check page, or the reverse: United States → United Arab Emirates.

Can I use whichever passport gives me better access?

Yes, if you hold both passports, you can always choose to enter a country on whichever one gives you better access. There's no obligation to use a specific passport unless your own country requires it for entry/exit.

Does a stronger passport mean no visas are ever required?

No. Even the highest-ranked passports (Singapore, Japan, Germany) require a visa for a handful of countries. A stronger passport simply means fewer destinations require advance planning, you might only need visas for 3–5 countries rather than 50+.

How often do passport rankings change?

Rankings update when bilateral visa agreements change between governments. This can happen multiple times per year. A single new agreement, like the EU granting visa-free access to a country, can shift dozens of passports simultaneously.

What does "Total Accessible" mean vs "Visa-Free"?

"Visa-Free" counts destinations where you need absolutely no visa arrangement. "Total Accessible" adds destinations where an eVisa or visa-on-arrival is available, meaning you can arrange entry without an embassy appointment.

Why does this score differ from the Henley Passport Index?

Different indices use different methodologies. Henley counts raw visa-free destinations. VizaHunt's Travel Freedom Score weights eVisa and visa-on-arrival access because they require minimal planning, making them meaningfully different from a full embassy appointment.