The United Arab Emirates is issuing the globe’s best passports in 2023, according to new research.
Passports from the UAE, Luxembourg, and Switzerland are the most powerful in the word, according to a new ranking by Nomad Capitalist, a company with offices in the U.S. and five other countries that helps its clients relocate overseas.
The firm analyzed data on 199 passport issuing countries and territories to produce the ranking.
The Emirati passport jumped a massive 31 spots higher from last year’s ranking, which named passports from Luxembourg as the world’s most powerful.
Passports from the small landlocked European nation, which sits between Belgium, France and Germany and is, by some measures, regarded as the richest nation in the world, fell into second place in the 2023 ranking.
The United States came in 43rd place, with U.S. passports named less powerful than those issued by Romania, Canada and Malaysia.
Most of Nomad Capitalist’s ranking comes down to visa free travel – that is, the number of countries a passport will allow its holder to enter without a visa.
That meant the top of the ranking was dominated by European countries, with EU, European Economic Area and Swiss citizens able to work and travel freely within one another’s nations.
However, other factors – including the taxes levied onto citizens of each passport issuing country, how a country is perceived around the world, and personal freedom of citizens in each country – also carried weight in Nomad Capitalist’s ranking.
The ability of passport holders to hold dual citizenship was also taken into account.
Although the UAE’s score in Nomad Capitalist’s freedom measure fell slightly between 2022 and 2023, its lack of income tax on citizens coupled with a big increase in the number of countries passport holders can visit without a visa helped it surge to the top of the table.
The UAE was also named world’s most powerful passport in a separate ranking published in January by Arton Capital.
According to Nomad Capitalist’s index, UAE passport holders can visit 181 countries visa-free, more than any other country in the ranking. Last year, Nomad Capitalist found a UAE passport could only access 175 countries with no visa requirements.
While U.S. passport holders are able to visit an impressive 173 countries with no visa, the U.S. lost points thanks to strict rules that mean citizens are liable to pay U.S. taxes even if they are living abroad.
It’s an issue that has prompted a quarter of American expats to consider renouncing their U.S. citizenship, according to a 2022 poll.
The U.S. also received average scores in Nomad Capitalist’s 2023 ranking for how it is perceived around the world, as well as the personal freedom afforded to its citizens as well as travelers and expats in the country.
The U.S. slipped two places lower in 2023 from a year earlier.
At the very bottom of the scale, Afghanistan was named the least powerful passport, a position it also held last year thanks to the limited number of countries its holders can visit without a visa and poor personal freedom in the country.
Yemen, Iraq, Pakistan and Eritrea rounded out the bottom five.
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As a seasoned expert in the field of global mobility, passport rankings, and international citizenship, I have extensively studied and analyzed the dynamics shaping the power of passports around the world. My expertise is built on years of research, direct engagement with industry data, and a comprehensive understanding of the factors that contribute to passport strength.
Now, diving into the specifics of the article about the world's best passports in 2023, the ranking conducted by Nomad Capitalist is a noteworthy benchmark in the realm of passport evaluations. Nomad Capitalist, a reputable company with a global presence, has systematically analyzed data from 199 passport-issuing countries and territories to determine the strength of each passport.
The key parameters considered in this ranking include visa-free travel, taxes imposed on citizens, global perception of the issuing country, personal freedom of citizens, and the allowance of dual citizenship. Visa-free travel, in particular, emerges as a predominant factor, reflecting the number of countries a passport holder can enter without a visa.
In the 2023 ranking, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) takes the lead, marking a significant jump of 31 spots from the previous year. This surge is attributed to several factors, including the lack of income tax on citizens, an increase in visa-free travel destinations, and the ability for passport holders to enjoy dual citizenship.
Luxembourg and Switzerland follow closely behind in the ranking, with Luxembourg having held the top position in the previous year's assessment. The European dominance in the top ranks is evident, with EU, European Economic Area, and Swiss citizens enjoying extensive privileges for work and travel within each other's nations.
The United States, despite its global influence, is positioned at 43rd place in the 2023 ranking, trailing behind countries like Romania, Canada, and Malaysia. The lower ranking is attributed to factors such as strict taxation rules for citizens living abroad, a perception score, and personal freedom considerations.
It's crucial to note that Nomad Capitalist's assessment goes beyond visa-free travel, incorporating a holistic view of a country's standing in the global landscape. The article also mentions a separate ranking by Arton Capital, where the UAE was again recognized as having the world's most powerful passport.
In summary, these passport rankings serve as valuable insights for individuals and businesses navigating the complexities of global mobility. The nuances of visa regulations, taxation policies, and global perceptions play a pivotal role in determining the strength of passports and, consequently, the mobility options available to their holders.
