Journey to the top

1 The UAE in 2017 set an ambitious target of making its passport one of the five most powerful in the world by 2021.

2 Back then, the UAE passport provided Emiratis visa-free, or visa-on-arrival, benefits in 132 countries.

3 The UAE passport was in 27th position on the index in December 2016 .

4 On July 9 this year, the UAE passport entered the top 10 rankings.

5 In September 13, it moved higher to secure the ninth position and had risen to 4th place by the end of October.

6 On December 1, it moved to the top spot — becoming the world’s most powerful passport.