Pakistan’s passport has moved up two places to rank 98th in the Henley Passport Index 2026, marking steady progress in global mobility and international access for Pakistani citizens.

Pakistan now shares the 98th position with Yemen, up from 100th last year, according to the latest Henley Passport Index.

The improvement reflects Pakistan’s growing diplomatic engagement and recent international agreements that are gradually expanding travel freedom for its citizens.

Visa-free, visa-on-arrival access

Pakistani passport holders now enjoy visa-free, visa-on-arrival (VOA), or electronic travel authorization (eTA) access to 31 countries across Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and Oceania.

These expanded options make leisure travel, business trips, and short-term international visits more flexible and convenient.

Pakistani travellers can visit the following destinations without a visa: Barbados, Dominica, Haiti, Micronesia, Montserrat, Rwanda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu.

Visa-on-arrival access 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, Tuvalu.

eTA destinations

Countries offering Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) include: Kenya, Seychelles, Sri Lanka. These destinations range from Caribbean islands and African safari hubs to South Asian cultural centers and Pacific island escapes.

To support growing travel demand, Pakistan introduced a Digital Integrated Dashboard last year to track passport applications, printing, and deliveries in real time.

The national passport has also undergone a major redesign, showcasing historical and cultural landmarks from all four provinces, blending modern design with Pakistan’s rich heritage.

Global passport trends in 2026

At the top of the index, Singapore retained its position as the world’s strongest passport for the third consecutive year, offering visa-free access to 192 destinations.

Japan and South Korea followed with 188 destinations, while Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland shared third place with access to 186 countries.

India ranked 80th, with visa-free access to 55 destinations, reflecting gradual improvement in mobility. At the bottom of the index, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan remained among the weakest, with Afghanistan ranking last at 24 destinations -- 168 fewer than Singapore.

Minister hails progress

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi welcomed the improvement, claiming on social media platform X that Pakistan’s passport ranking has risen sharply from 126th to 98th.

Pakistan’s passport ranking improving from 126th to 98th is a strong achievement and this momentum will continue, InshaAllah. https://t.co/2PM0UjNo3F
— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) January 15, 2026

He said the rapid progress reflects growing global confidence in Pakistan and added, “Insha Allah, this journey of progress will continue.”