Passport Reports data updated on September 15, 2026, ranks the United Arab Emirates first among 199 passports assessed through a mobility score that combines visa-free access, visas on arrival and electronic travel authorizations. The index positions Qatar in 85th place immediately ahead of Kuwait at 86th. Saudi Arabia follows at 88th according to the platform’s latest evaluation.
Bahrain occupies 93rd position and Oman 96th in the Passport Reports ranking that draws on current entry requirements for destinations worldwide. The assessment highlights how policy adjustments influence relative passport strength across the Gulf Cooperation Council. Singapore holds second place overall while Malaysia secures third, the index figures show.
European nations including Luxembourg and Spain feature prominently in the upper tiers of the mobility list, according to Passport Reports. The platform recalibrates its standings periodically to incorporate shifts in international visa regimes and bilateral accords. Kuwait’s placement reflects the cumulative effect of its existing travel agreements under this methodology.
At the bottom of the index, countries such as Afghanistan register the lowest mobility scores, Passport Reports data indicates. The ranking system provides a comparative tool for monitoring global travel freedoms without assigning causal interpretations to the outcomes. Regular updates from the platform ensure alignment with evolving diplomatic and regulatory landscapes.
A separate Henley Passport Index released in June 2026 by Henley & Partners places Kuwait at 52nd with access to 97 destinations without a prior visa, according to the Henley & Partners assessment drawn from International Air Transport Association data. That index ranks the United Arab Emirates among the top three globally with a visa-free score of 187. The contrast between the two rankings arises from their distinct approaches to measuring passport utility.
Consultancy analyses have linked stronger passport performance to expanded economic partnerships, a PwC Middle East review of GCC mobility patterns found. Kuwaiti authorities have pursued additional visa waiver deals in recent years, according to statements from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Such initiatives may affect future positions in both index frameworks as policies continue to develop.
