A new global ranking of the world’s strongest and weakest passports for 2026 has placed Pakistan among the lowest-performing countries, highlighting ongoing travel limitations for its citizens.
Read More: Pakistan remains among worst passports in Henley’s latest ranking
According to the latest Henley Passport Index, Singapore retained its position as the world’s most powerful passport, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 192 destinations worldwide. The ranking is based on data tracking the number of countries passport holders can enter without obtaining a prior visa.
Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates jointly secured the second position, with access to 187 destinations. Norway and Switzerland followed closely with visa-free access to 185 countries.
European countries continue to dominate the global passport rankings, with the European Union maintaining a strong average score. Analysts attribute the bloc’s high ranking to stable diplomatic relations, strong economies, and extensive bilateral travel agreements.
On the other end of the list, Afghanistan remained the weakest passport globally, allowing access to only 23 destinations without a prior visa. Syria ranked second weakest, followed by Iraq.
Pakistan was placed fourth among the world’s weakest passports, reflecting limited international mobility for Pakistani citizens compared with other countries.
Experts say passport strength is influenced by multiple factors, including diplomatic relations, national security perceptions, migration trends, political stability, and international agreements.
Countries with lower passport rankings often face challenges such as regional conflicts, governance issues, security concerns, and stricter global visa regulations.
Despite its low ranking, Pakistan has shown gradual improvement in some international travel access metrics over recent years through bilateral arrangements and policy efforts.
Travel analysts note that passport rankings are not solely indicators of national prestige but also reflect the practical ease with which citizens can engage in tourism, business, education, and international mobility.
Read More: Pakistani passport fourth worst for world travel
The Henley Passport Index is updated regularly to track changes in visa agreements and diplomatic access across the world. The latest ranking has once again sparked discussions about mobility challenges faced by citizens from lower-ranked countries.