Pakistan Passport Ranking 2026: Visa-Free Access to 30 Countries

Pakistan's passport currently ranks 100th on the Henley Passport Index as of the latest 2026 update, providing Pakistani citizens access to 30 destinations without obtaining a traditional pre-approved visa.

While the ranking places Pakistan in the lower tier of global passport power, with only Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan ranked below, it represents an improvement from the 103rd position recorded at the end of 2025. The ranking has fluctuated throughout 2026: rising to 98th in January, reaching 97th in February with 32 accessible destinations, before settling at 100th with 30 destinations in the most recent update.

Where Can Pakistani Passport Holders Travel Without a Pre-Approved Visa?

Pakistani citizens can currently access 30 destinations through three categories: visa-free entry, visa on arrival, and electronic travel authorisation.

Visa-Free Entry (11 Destinations)

These countries allow Pakistani passport holders to enter without any visa arrangement, simply arrive with a valid passport.

• Barbados
• Cook Islands
• Dominica
• Gambia
• Haiti
• Micronesia
• Montserrat
• Niue
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Vanuatu

Visa on Arrival (16 Destinations)

These countries issue a visa at the port of entry. Travellers should carry supporting documents such as return tickets, proof of funds, and hotel reservations.

• Bolivia
• Burundi
• Cambodia
• Cape Verde
• Comoros
• Guinea-Bissau
• Madagascar
• Maldives
• Mauritania
• Mozambique
• Nepal
• Palau
• Samoa
• Seychelles
• Timor-Leste
• Tuvalu

Electronic Travel Authorisation / ETA (3 Destinations)

These countries require an electronic travel authorisation obtained online before departure, simpler than a full visa but not available on arrival.

• Kenya
• Qatar
• Sri Lanka

How Has Pakistan's Passport Ranking Changed?

The Henley Passport Index, which evaluates 199 passports based on visa-free and visa-on-arrival access using International Air Transport Association (IATA) data, is updated regularly. Pakistan's ranking has moved as follows in recent years:

The fluctuations reflect ongoing adjustments in bilateral visa agreements and global visa policy changes. The brief improvement to 97th in February was partly due to the reinstatement of Gambia to the visa-free list. The subsequent drop back to 100th reflects two destinations tightening their entry requirements for Pakistani passport holders.

It is worth noting that the apparent rank improvement from 103rd to 100th is partly structural, the total number of countries ranked on the index changes as shared rankings shift, which can create the impression of movement even when the underlying visa-free score hasn't changed significantly.

How Does Pakistan Compare Regionally?

For context, here is where Pakistan sits relative to its neighbours and the global leaders on the latest index:

The gap between Pakistan and India, 26 more destinations for Indian passport holders, reflects differences in diplomatic engagement and bilateral visa agreements rather than geography. The gap between Pakistan and the world's most powerful passport (Singapore, at 192 destinations) spans 162 destinations, illustrating the significant global disparity in travel freedom.

The E-Passport Initiative

Pakistan has been rolling out ICAO-compliant biometric e-passports, a move aimed at:

• Enhancing travel document security through biometric authentication
• Improving international acceptance and reducing fraud
• Supporting future bilateral visa negotiations by meeting modern passport standards
• Aligning with international civil aviation security requirements

The e-passport rollout is seen as a prerequisite for future mobility improvements, as many countries require biometric-capable travel documents for visa waiver agreements.

What About GCC Countries?

A common question for Pakistani travellers: most Gulf Cooperation Council countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman, still require Pakistani passport holders to obtain a visa before arrival. Qatar is the exception, now accessible via an electronic travel authorisation.

For Pakistani nationals holding valid residence permits from the US, EU, UK, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada, the UAE recently introduced a visa-on-arrival facility, though this applies specifically to residents of those countries, not to all Pakistani passport holders.

Tips for Pakistani Travellers

• Always verify entry requirements before booking travel. Visa policies change frequently, and the categories above may shift between index updates. Check with the destination country's embassy or official immigration authority.
• Carry supporting documents even for visa-on-arrival destinations, return tickets, proof of accommodation, proof of funds, and travel insurance can be requested at immigration.
• Passport validity matters, most countries require at least six months of validity remaining on your passport from the date of arrival.
• ETA applications take time, for Kenya, Qatar, and Sri Lanka, apply for the electronic authorisation well before your travel date, not at the last minute.
• Consider travel insurance, particularly for destinations where medical costs are high or where it's an informal entry requirement.

Check Your Specific Visa Requirements

Want to know the exact visa requirements between Pakistan and any specific country? Use our Visa Search Tool or check our Pakistan Visa Requirements page for the full breakdown of entry rules for Pakistani passport holders worldwide.

Published: July 2026 Sources: Henley Passport Index, IATA, Pakistan Ministry of Interior Last verified: July 2026. Visa policies change frequently, always confirm with official sources before travel. Tags: pakistan, passport-index, visa-free, henley-passport-index, passport-ranking