(Abu Dhabi) – The dramatic climb of Emirati passport can be attributed to a new agreement with the EU for visa-free travel to 36 countries, including the 26 Schengen area states, which was made public in May this year.
According to the report published by Khaleej Times, Emiratis have been given the freedom to travel to 37 countries visa-free over the past year, catapulting the UAE into the spotlight as the biggest climber with its dramatic addition and improvement in rank from 55 to 40, according to an annual Visa Restrictions Index report.
2015 vs 2014. UAE was the highest mover, up 15 places and adding 37 to its score. 22 countries moved up in the rankings: Australia, Brazil, Czech Republic, Dominica, Estonia, Grenada, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Samoa, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, UAE and Vanuatu Only two countries remain in the top spot: Germany and the UK (Finland, Sweden and the US all dropped to second place), while Sierra Leona saw the biggest drop, losing 24 places. Guinea and Liberia had the next biggest loss of 21 ranks, then Syria with 16.
(Courtesy WAM)
