Pakistan Passport Jumps 28 Places in International Rankings

Pakistan passport holders have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 31 destinations

Thu Jan 15 2026
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ISLAMABAD:  Pakistan’s passport has improved its global ranking and climbed to 98th place from 126th in the Henley Passport Index 2026.

The index, compiled by London-based Henley & Partners using data from the International Air Transport Association, shows that Pakistani passport holders now enjoy visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or electronic travel authorisation access to 31 destinations across Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and Oceania.

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

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has expressed satisfaction over the significant improvement in the global ranking of the Pakistani passport, describing it as a reflection of the government’s effective measures.

In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Naqvi said that ‘Pakistan’s passport ranking improving from 126th to 98th is a strong achievement and this momentum will continue, InshaAllah.’

The improvement reflects gradual diplomatic gains and new visa arrangements that have modestly expanded international travel access for Pakistani citizens.

Meanwhile, 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.

Syria and Iraq also rank among the countries with the weakest passports.

Pakistan last year launched a Digital Integrated Dashboard.

The system monitors passport applications, printing, and delivery in real time, accelerating processing and improving services both domestically and at overseas missions.

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