2026 data
South Africa vs United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates is stronger · +70 visa-free destinations
Comparing the two in 2026: the South Africa passport gives access to 98 destinations without a prior visa (#96 worldwide), while United Arab Emirates reaches 168 (#1). In practice, United Arab Emirates gets you visa-free to 70 more destinations.
Side-by-side comparison
South Africa
United Arab Emirates
Visa-free destinations
98
168
Voyspark Index rank
#96
#1
Visa-free
60
127
Visa on arrival
33
36
Electronic auth (eTA)
5
5
e-Visa
29
16
Visa required
#71
#14
Popular destinations visa-free for one but visa-required for the other.
Access by region, side by side
Visa-free for both: destinations open to both passports.
Africa33 · 37 / 53
Americas29 · 30 / 35
Europe1 · 46 / 46
Asia19 · 28 / 35
Middle East7 · 14 / 14
Oceania9 · 12 / 14
Frequently asked questions
Which is stronger, South Africa or United Arab Emirates?
United Arab Emirates is stronger. South Africa reaches 98 destinations visa-free; United Arab Emirates, 168.
How many destinations can both enter visa-free?
88 destinations are open without a prior visa to both passports in 2026.
Where does each passport reach further?
South Africa wins in 0 and United Arab Emirates in 16 among popular destinations. The full list is above.