ISLAMABAD — The Pakistan passport has improved its global ranking, moving up two places to 98th in the Henley Passport Index 2026. This marks steady progress in international travel access for Pakistani citizens.
Pakistan now shares the 98th spot with Yemen, up from 100th last year, according to the latest report. The rise reflects Pakistan’s growing diplomatic engagement and recent international agreements that are gradually expanding travel freedom for its citizens.
Holders of the Pakistan passport can now enjoy visa-free, visa-on-arrival (VOA), or electronic travel authorization (eTA) access to 31 countries across Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and Oceania. This makes leisure trips, business travel, and short-term visits abroad more convenient.
Visa-free destinations include Barbados, Dominica, Haiti, Micronesia, Montserrat, Rwanda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vanuatu. Visa-on-arrival is available in 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, and Tuvalu.
Countries offering Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for Pakistani citizens include Kenya, Seychelles, and Sri Lanka, providing access to diverse travel experiences from African safaris to South Asian cultural centers.
To support growing travel demand, Pakistan introduced a Digital Integrated Dashboard last year to track passport applications, printing, and deliveries in real time. Additionally, the Pakistan passport has been redesigned to feature historical and cultural landmarks from all four provinces, blending modern design with national heritage.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi welcomed the progress, noting that the Pakistan passport ranking has risen sharply from 126th to 98th. He stated on X, “Insha Allah, this journey of progress will continue,” highlighting growing global confidence in Pakistan.
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At the top of the Henley Passport Index, Singapore retains its position as the world’s strongest passport with visa-free access to 192 destinations, while Japan and South Korea follow with 188 destinations.
