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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.