Pakistan’s passport has risen in the global travel freedom rankings, reaching 98th position in the Henley Passport Index 2026, according to data released on Wednesday.
The index, compiled by London-based Henley & Partners using data from the International Air Transport Association, shows that Pakistani passport holders now have visa-free, visa-on-arrival or electronic travel authorization access to 31 destinations in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Oceania.
Destinations that can be accessed without prior visas include Caribbean countries such as Barbados and Dominica, African states such as Rwanda and Senegal, and South Pacific island nations such as Vanuatu and Samoa.
Welcoming the improvement, Federal Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi said in a post on
Pakistan’s passport ranking improvement from 126th to 98th is a great achievement and this momentum will continue, InshaAllah.
—Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) January 15, 2026
Last year, Pakistan ranked 103. The increase reflects gradual diplomatic advances and new visa agreements that have slightly expanded access to international travel for Pakistani citizens.
Screenshot of the Henley Passport Index showing a graph of Pakistan’s passport rankings over the years.
Despite the improvement, Pakistan’s passport remains among the weakest in the world. It is tied with Yemen at 98th and ranks just above Iraq (99), Syria (100) and Afghanistan (101).
With access to only 31 countries without pre-arranged visas, Pakistan continues to be in the bottom tier for passports, highlighting persistent obstacles to travel related to tourism, business and education.
At the top of the index, Singapore maintained its position as the world’s most powerful passport, offering visa-free access to 192 destinations. Japan and South Korea followed closely.
