What's new

2026 Henley Passport Index - Pakistan passport climbs in 2026: Now ranks 98th worldwide with new visa-free access [Update@ post7]

Mages

Debutant
Joined
Oct 30, 2018
Runs
98
Pakistani passport has moved up two spots on the 2019 Henley Passport Index but continues to remain the fifth-worst passport globally, offering its holders visa-free access to just 33 countries.

In the newly unveiled index, Pakistan occupies the 102nd spot as compared to the 104th spot in the previous list, reflecting a two-spot jump for the green passport. However, as was the case with the 2018 index, the Pakistani passport is better than only four other countries: Somalia, Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Henley Passport Index is a ranking of all the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.

The ranking is based on data from the International Air Transport Association, which maintains the world’s largest and database of travel information, and it is enhanced by extensive, ongoing research by the Henley & Partners Research Department.

Japan holds top spot on the Henley Passport Index for the second year running, offering citizens visa-free access to a record 190 destinations, whereas Singapore continues to hold 2nd place, along with South Korea, which has moved up from 3rd place, with citizens able to access 189 destinations.

From the 2nd place it held at the beginning of 2018, Germany now drops to 3rd place, with access to 188 destinations. It shares this position with France.

Denmark, Italy, Finland, and Sweden share joint 4th place, with access to 187 destinations around the globe.

The UK, meanwhile, drops from 4th place to 6th place, while the US drops from 5th place to 6th place, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 185 destinations.

In further demonstrations of Asian passport power, China moved five places up the rankings from the beginning of 2018, from 74th to 69th, while Cambodia (84th), Laos (86th), and Myanmar (90th) have each moved up four places.

Elsewhere, the Indian passport occupies the 79th spot in the rankings, sandwiched between African nations Ghana and Mozambique.The UAE climbed five places up the rankings, from 27th place at the beginning of 2018, to 22nd place currently.

Afghanistan and Iraq continue to hold joint last place, with a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of just 30.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1456446/pakistani-passport-remains-fifth-worst-globally-henley-index
 
In the newly unveiled index, Pakistan occupies the 102nd spot as compared to the 104th spot in the previous list, reflecting a two-spot jump for the green passport. However, as was the case with the 2018 index, the Pakistani passport is better than only four other countries: Somalia, Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.

How does this happen? Did 2 countries disappear off the map?
 
How does this happen? Did 2 countries disappear off the map?

Probably passport holders of Somalia and Syria lost countries they could travel to visa free, thus enabling Pakistan to move up.

Alternatively, Pakistani passport holders gained new countries they could travel to visa free.

Same reasoning for Indian passport holders.
 
Pakistan passport climbs in 2026: Now ranks 98th worldwide with new visa-free access

Pakistan’s passport has jumped to 98th place in the Henley Passport Index 2026, up from 100th last year. The rise reflects growing diplomatic efforts and recent international agreements that are gradually expanding travel freedom for Pakistani citizens.

Tied with Yemen, this ranking highlights steady progress in global mobility and international access.

Expanded travel opportunities

Pakistani passport holders can now travel visa-free or with visa-on-arrival/eTA access to 31 countries across Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and Oceania. This opens doors for leisure trips, business travel, and short-term international visits, offering flexibility and convenience for travellers.

Visa-free destinations:

  • Barbados, Dominica, Haiti, Micronesia, Montserrat, Rwanda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu
Visa-on-arrival (VOA) destinations:

  • Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Maldives, Mozambique, Nepal, Niue, Palau Islands, Qatar, Samoa, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu
eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) destinations:

  • Kenya, Seychelles, Sri Lanka
These destinations span tropical Caribbean islands, African safaris, South Asian cultural hubs, and Pacific escapes, offering Pakistani travellers a variety of experiences without the hassle of traditional visa processes.

Modernisation and efficiency

To support the growing travel freedom, Pakistan introduced a Digital Integrated Dashboard last year. This system tracks passport applications, printing, and deliveries in real time, speeding up processing and improving service domestically and at overseas missions.

The national passport also received a major redesign, featuring historical and cultural landmarks from all four provinces. Blending modern aesthetics with artistic representation, the updated passport reflects Pakistan’s rich heritage while aligning with global design trends.

Global passport trends

At the top, Singapore retains its spot as the world’s strongest passport for the third consecutive year, offering visa-free access to 192 destinations. Japan and South Korea follow with 188, while Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland share third place (186).

Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the UAE complete the top five, with the UAE surpassing New Zealand, Australia, the UK, Canada, Iceland, and the US. The US slipped to 10th (179 destinations).

India climbs steadily

India ranks 80th, with visa-free access to 55 countries, reflecting gradual improvement in mobility. Meanwhile, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan remain at the bottom, with Afghanistan holding the weakest passport globally, granting access to just 24 destinations—a gap of 168 countries compared to Singapore.

The Henley Passport Index continues to underline how passport strength shapes opportunity, security, and international mobility, while highlighting progress for mid-ranked countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh.

 
Back
Top