The Pakistani passport has moved up the global travel freedom rankings, climbing to 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 enjoy visa-free, visa-on-arrival or electronic travel authorization access to 31 destinations in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Oceania.
Destinations accessible without a prior visa include Caribbean countries like Barbados and Dominica, African states like Rwanda and Senegal, and South Pacific island nations like Vanuatu and Samoa.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi welcomed the improvement, saying in an article on »
The improvement in Pakistan’s passport ranking from 126th to 98th is a significant achievement and this momentum will continue, InshaAllah.
–Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) January 15, 2026
Last year, Pakistan was ranked 103rd. This increase reflects gradual diplomatic progress and new visa provisions that have slightly expanded access to international travel for Pakistani citizens.
Screenshot from the Henley Passport Index showing a graph of Pakistan’s passport rankings over the years.
Despite this improvement, the Pakistani passport remains one of the weakest in the world. It is tied with Yemen for 98th and ranks just above Iraq (99th), Syria (100th) and Afghanistan (101st).
With access to just 31 countries without a prior visa, Pakistan continues to be in the bottom tier when it comes to passports, highlighting persistent barriers to travel related to tourism, business and education.
At the top of the index, Singapore retained its position as the world’s most powerful passport, providing visa-free access to 192 destinations. Japan and South Korea followed closely behind.
