UAE top, Syria bottom in world passport strength rankings

The United Arab Emirates has topped the Global Passport Power Rank, continuing its domination as the holder of the most powerful passport in the world. 

However, the Syrian passport has declined through the ranks to become the world’s least powerful. 

The ranking is one of four major indexes that ranks the world's passports, with Henley's Passport Index (HPI) placing the UAE at 11th place- which can also be viewed as significantly high. 

Syria’s passport, on the other hand, was similarly ranked by Henley’s as second least powerful passport in the world before Afghanistan. According to HPI, Syria has access to only 29 visa-free destinations while the UAE has access to 183.  

Over the past decade, the UAE has consistently climbed up the charts, as it has gathered an additional 106 destinations to its visa-free score since 2014. 

Meanwhile, the Syria passport ranking is due to the degree of global entry it guarantees to Syrian passport holders, who may travel visa-free to 27 countries, but who otherwise need a visa to access 159 countries globally.  
 
According to HPI, passports across the world are ranked based on how much each country can access visa-free destinations. Hence why the ranking of a Syrian passport is subject is how accessible its use is. 

In order to be labelled as a visa-free country depending on the country, entry is accepted without on arrival or electronic travel authorization (eTA). 

Other notable powerful passports include Singapore and Japan that have led rankings for the past five years- as its nationals enjoy 194 visa-free destinations.  

The Syria passport was also named one of the world’s most expensive passports, following the Assad regime's approval of a bill on amending the consular fees for issuing and renewing travel documents for Syrians residing abroad. 

While fees for a Syrian passport can only be paid in US dollars or Euros, the cost for Syrian expatriates to obtain one is 800 US dollars, according to the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates. 

The website also stated that for citizens living in Syria to have a passport issued or renewed, the price is 300 dollars.