Good news for Pakistani travellers planning their summer trips abroad. The list of Pakistan passport visa free countries has grown slightly in 2026, with Pakistan’s passport climbing to the 100th position on the prestigious Henley Passport Index — up three spots from last year’s disappointing 103rd rank. This upgrade means Pakistani passport holders can now enjoy visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival (VOA), or electronic travel authorization (ETA) access to a total of 30 destinations across the globe.
For a country that has struggled with weak global mobility scores for over a decade, this improvement — however small — is being welcomed as a positive signal, especially with summer holiday season in full swing.
What Is the Henley Passport Index?
The Henley Passport Index is the world’s most authoritative passport ranking system, built on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It ranks 199 passports across 227 travel destinations worldwide and is updated monthly to reflect real-time shifts in visa policy, bilateral travel agreements, and international mobility trends.
Unlike random travel blogs, the Henley Index is used by governments, policy think tanks, and global mobility firms — making it the gold standard for measuring passport power and travel freedom.
Pakistan’s Passport Ranking: A 10-Year Journey
Here’s how Pakistan’s global rank — and the number of Pakistan passport visa free countries — has moved over the past decade, based on Henley Index data:
| Year | Global Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 107 | — |
| 2016 | 103 | ⬆ Improved |
| 2017 | 102 | ⬆ Improved |
| 2018 | 104 | ⬇ Dropped |
| 2019 | 104 | ➡ No Change |
| 2020 | 103 | ⬆ Improved |
| 2021 | 113 | ⬇ Sharp Drop |
| 2022 | 108 | ⬆ Improved |
| 2023 | 106 | ⬆ Improved |
| 2024 | 101 | ⬆ Improved |
| 2025 | 103 | ⬇ Dropped |
| 2026 | 100 | ⬆ Improved |
Interestingly, Pakistan’s ranking has been quite volatile throughout 2026 alone. Data shows the passport touched 98th place in January, rose further to 97th in February, then slipped back to 100th place by May, where it has now stabilized for the July–December 2026 review period.
Full List of Pakistan Passport Visa Free Countries (2026)
Pakistani citizens can currently travel to the following Pakistan passport visa free countries, along with several visa-on-arrival and ETA destinations, without needing a traditional visa in advance:
| Region | Sample Destinations |
|---|---|
| Asia | Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Qatar |
| Africa | Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Madagascar, Mozambique, Senegal |
| Caribbean | Barbados, Dominica, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Montserrat |
| Pacific/Oceania | Vanuatu, Samoa, Micronesia, Cook Islands, Niue, Palau |
Note: Travel rules can change quickly, so always confirm entry requirements with the respective embassy or official government portal before booking your ticket.
How Does Pakistan Compare to Other Countries?
To understand where Pakistan really stands, here’s a quick passport power comparison with the world’s top-ranked and neighboring passports:
| Country | Rank 2026 | Visa-Free Destinations |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore | 1 | 192 |
| Japan / South Korea / UAE | 2 | 188 |
| Sweden | 3 | 187 |
| United States | 10 | 180 |
| India | 80 | 55 |
| Pakistan | 100 | 30 |
| Afghanistan | Last | 24 |
Despite the recent climb, Pakistan still ranks among the bottom 10 passports globally, ahead of only Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the UAE passport has recorded the sharpest rise of any country over the past decade — climbing an incredible 40 places to become one of the world’s most powerful passports.
Why Did Pakistan’s Passport Ranking Improve?
Multiple factors typically influence a country’s global mobility score, including:
- New bilateral visa waiver agreements
- Diplomatic negotiations opening ETA or VOA access
- Removal of prior travel restrictions by partner countries
- Regional cooperation agreements (especially within Asia and Africa)
While Pakistan’s rise from 103rd to 100th isn’t dramatic, analysts note it reflects gradual diplomatic progress rather than a single major policy shift.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is Pakistan’s passport rank in 2026? Pakistan ranks 100th out of 199 passports on the Henley Passport Index for the July–December 2026 period.
Q2: How many Pakistan passport visa free countries are there in 2026? There are 30 Pakistan passport visa free countries (including visa-on-arrival and ETA destinations) as of the latest July 2026 update.
Q3: Which passport is the most powerful in the world in 2026? Singapore holds the top spot, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 192 destinations.
Q4: How often is the Henley Passport Index updated? The index is updated monthly, using official data sourced from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Q5: Is Pakistan’s passport ranking improving over time? It’s fluctuating rather than steadily improving — the rank moved between 97th and 103rd multiple times within 2025–2026 alone.
Final Thoughts
The full list of Pakistan passport visa free countries may still be modest compared to global leaders, but climbing to 100th place is a step in the right direction after years of stagnation near the bottom of the global passport index. For now, Pakistani travellers planning summer getaways have 30 international destinations to explore without the usual visa hassle — a small but welcome relief in an otherwise tough mobility landscape.
Stay tuned to ePassport.pk for the latest updates on Pakistan passport news, visa policies, and travel requirements.
