Pakistan’s passport has improved its standing in the Henley Passport Index 2026, moving up to 98th place from 103rd last year, reflecting enhanced diplomatic engagement and recent international agreements that are gradually expanding travel opportunities for Pakistani citizens.
The ranking, tied with Yemen, highlights measurable progress in global mobility and access.
It ranked higher than Iraq (99), Syria (100) and Afghanistan (101).
According to the Henley Passport Index, compiled by London-based Henley & Partners using International Air Transport Association data, Pakistani passport holders can now travel to 31 countries across Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and Oceania with visa-free, visa-on-arrival (VOA), or electronic travel authorisation (eTA), making leisure, business, and short-term trips significantly more convenient.
Visa-free destinations include Barbados, Dominica, Haiti, Micronesia, Montserrat, Rwanda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vanuatu.
Countries offering VOA access include 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, and Tuvalu, while eTA access is available for Kenya, Seychelles, and Sri Lanka.
These options provide travellers with diverse experiences, ranging from tropical Caribbean island and African safaris to South Asian cultural destinations and Pacific retreats, without the traditional visa hurdles.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi welcomed the progress, saying in a post on X: “Pakistan’s passport ranking improving from 126th to 98th is a strong achievement, and this momentum will continue, InshaAllah.”
To streamline this growing travel freedom, Pakistan launched a Digital Integrated Dashboard last year, which allows real-time monitoring of passport applications, printing, and deliveries, enhancing efficiency both within the country and at overseas missions.