Pakistan passport 20-year journey: from 79 to 101
Pakistan’s passport rankings reflect the uneven nature of global mobility. In 2006, the country was ranked 79th globally, but by 2026 it had fallen to 101st.
Over the past two decades, Pakistan’s ranking has fluctuated, reaching a low of 113th in 2021 before gradually recovering. It ranked 103rd in 2025 and improved slightly in 2026.
Pakistani passport holders currently have access to 29 destinations through visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival (VOA) facilities or electronic travel authorization (ETA) arrangements.
Pakistan Passport Ranking Timeline
The changes show how the power of the passport depends not only on travel arrangements, but also on diplomatic relations, international trust and trends in global mobility.
Pakistan passport changes in 2026
Pakistan’s ranking shifted during the year as visa policies changed around the world:
-
2025: Ranked 103rd globally
-
January 2026: Improved to 98th place
-
February 2026: It climbed to 97th place
-
May 2026: It slipped to 100th place
-
July 2026: Ranked #101 with access to 29 destinations
Henley’s ranking can move when countries introduce visa waivers, tighten entry rules or change visa-on-arrival systems.
Peace, conflict and the power of passports
The Henley Passport Index 2026 comes alongside the 20th edition of the Global Peace Index, which highlights growing global instability. The report says state-based conflicts are at their highest level since World War II, while global peace has declined for the 12th year in a row.
Henley & Partners’ analysis of two decades of data shows a strong link between peace and passport strength. Many countries with high peace rankings also have robust passports, while countries affected by conflict often face weaker global mobility.
Singapore takes the lead, the United Arab Emirates becomes a mobility success story
Singapore remains the world’s most powerful passport in 2026, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 192 destinations.
The UAE marked the biggest improvement in the history of the Henley Passport Index, moving up to second place alongside Japan and South Korea with access to 188 destinations. Over 20 years, the UAE added 153 visa-free destinations, highlighting the impact of diplomacy, international cooperation and economic influence.
Where can Pakistani passport holders travel?
Pakistani passport holders currently have access to 29 visa-friendly destinations through visa-free entry, Visa on Arrival (VOA) or Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) arrangements.
Total access
-
Visa-free: 11 destinations
-
Visa on Arrival (VoA): 15 destinations
-
Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA): 3 destinations
-
Total: 29 destinations
Visa-friendly destinations include:
Asia: 5 destinations
-
In Asia, Pakistani travelers can enter Cambodia, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka (ETA) and Timor-Leste through simplified entry arrangements.
Africa: 10 destinations
-
Africa offers the most visa-friendly options, including Burundi, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya (ETA), Madagascar, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles (ETA) and Sierra Leone.
America and the Caribbean: 5 destinations
-
In the Americas and the Caribbean, Pakistani passport holders can travel to Barbados, Dominica, Haiti, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago with easier entry options.
Pacific and Island Destinations: 9 destinations
-
Island destinations available to Pakistani travelers include Cook Islands, Micronesia, Montserrat, Niue, Palau Islands, Samoa, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
Europe remains limited
E-Visa Destinations for Pakistani Travelers
Electronic visa systems have expanded globally, allowing travelers to apply online before departure.
Asia: Bahrain, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Oman, Qatar, Singapore, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan.
Europe: Albania, Georgia, Moldova and the United Kingdom.
Africa: Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, South Africa and Przaniadani, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
America and the Caribbean: Anguilla, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, St Kitts and Nevis, Suriname and the Bahamas.
Island destinations: Saint Helena.
The most powerful passports in the world in 2026
The top ranked passports in the latest Henley index are:
-
Singapore – 192 destinations
-
United Arab Emirates, Japan, South Korea – 188 destinations
-
Sweden – 187 destinations
-
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway and Spain — 186 destinations
-
Austria, Greece, Malta, Portugal and Switzerland — 185 destinations
-
Hungary, Poland and UK – 184 destinations
-
Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Latvia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Slovakia and Slovenia — 183 destinations
-
Croatia and Estonia – 182 destinations
-
Lithuania and Liechtenstein – 181 destinations
-
Iceland and USA – 180 destinations
The power of passports reflects global influence
The 20-year journey of passports shows that freedom of travel is closely linked to diplomacy, economic power and international partnerships.
While Pakistan has recovered from its lowest ranking in 2021, its passport remains significantly less powerful than it was two decades ago. As visa policies continue to evolve, passport rankings remain a reflection of the shifting balance of global connections and geopolitical influence.
