Another victory for UAE on way to Schengen visa-free status

With its high per capita income, a geographical location that places it within five or six hours of much of Asia and Europe, and two world-class airlines flying to and from almost everywhere, the UAE is a major target market for international tourism operators.

Despite this, travelling overseas is more difficult than it ought to be for Emiratis, because of the need to obtain visas for many popular destinations.

According to the latest survey by international residence-planning consultancy Henley and Partners, citizens of the United Kingdom, Finland and Denmark can visit 173 nations visa-free. In comparison, UAE passport holders can visit just 72 countries without having a prearranged visa. And, as everybody who has ever had to gather together personal documents, stand in a queue at an embassy and undergo an intrusive interview knows, that can be time-consuming and frustrating.