Muscat: In a significant milestone, Oman has climbed seven spots to secure the 58th position in the Henley Passport Index for the first six months of 2024, as per official figures from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Previously positioned at 65th in the previous year, Oman's passport now grants access to 86 destinations without the need for a visa, an increase from 82.
The Henley Passport Index is a global ranking that evaluates passports based on the number of countries their holders can visit without needing a visa. This recent elevation underscores Oman's growing global connectivity and mobility.
Within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has achieved a notable achievement by entering the top ten for the first time in history. Since the inception of the index in 2006, the UAE has expanded its visa-free zone by 152 destinations, elevating its score to 185 and advancing 53 places from its previous position at 62nd. Dr. Juerg Steffen, the CEO of Henley & Partners, credited the UAE's rapid climb to its government's concerted efforts in positioning the country as a leading global hub for commerce, tourism, and investment.
Following the UAE, Qatar ranks 46th in the GCC rankings, affording citizens visa-free access to 107 countries. Kuwait stands at 49th position with access to 99 destinations, while Saudi Arabia and Bahrain occupy the 56th and 57th positions, respectively, granting access to 88 and 87 destinations.
On a global scale, the passport of Singapore remains the most powerful, affording its citizens visa-free access to 195 countries. France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain follow closely with access to 192 destinations. Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden are ranked third with access to 191 destinations. The United Kingdom, New Zealand, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, and Switzerland secure the fourth spot with 190 destinations, while Australia and Portugal find themselves in the fifth position with 189 destinations.
The United States has fallen to the eighth position, offering visa-free access to 186 countries. India ranks 82nd, enabling its citizens to visit 58 countries without the need for a visa, including popular tourist destinations such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Pakistan is positioned at the 100th rank with access to only 26 destinations, while Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the index with access to 26 countries.
Christian Kaelin, the chair of Henley & Partners, highlighted the growing disparity in global mobility, stating, "The global average number of destinations travelers can access visa-free has nearly doubled from 58 in 2006 to 111 in 2024. However, the gap between the mobility of the top and bottom of the index has widened significantly."
The Highest Ranking Passports for 2024:
1. Singapore (195 destinations)
2. France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain (192)
3. Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, South Korea, Sweden (191)
4. Belgium, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom (190)
5. Australia, Portugal (189)
6. Greece, Poland (188)
7. Canada, Czechia, Hungary, Malta (187)
8. United States (186)
9. Estonia, Lithuania, United Arab Emirates (185)
10. Iceland, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia (184)
With these advancements, Oman is set for further progression in enhancing global mobility and fostering international cooperation.
