Pakistan’s passport has improved by two places in the latest global passport rankings, moving from 103rd to 101st position. Despite the gain, it remains among the world’s weakest travel documents, ranking ahead of only Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.
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The updated ranking was released by global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners in its 2026 Passport Index, which evaluates 199 passports against 227 travel destinations worldwide.
According to the index, Pakistani passport holders can now travel to 29 countries or territories without obtaining a visa in advance, reflecting a modest improvement in international travel access compared with the previous ranking.
The Henley Passport Index measures the strength of passports based on the number of destinations their holders can enter without a prior visa. This includes visa-free, visa-on-arrival and electronic travel authorisation arrangements, providing an indication of global travel mobility.
Henley & Partners noted that visa policies can change over time due to diplomatic relations, security concerns and international travel regulations, meaning passport rankings are subject to periodic updates.
Singapore retained its position as the world’s most powerful passport in the latest index, offering its citizens access to the highest number of destinations without a prior visa. India ranked 81st in the global standings, while Afghanistan remained at the bottom of the list as the world’s weakest passport.
Although Pakistan’s ranking has improved, the latest results highlight the country’s continued challenges in expanding visa-free travel opportunities for its citizens. Analysts say improvements in diplomatic engagement, international cooperation and bilateral visa agreements could gradually enhance the passport’s global standing in the future.
The annual rankings are closely watched by governments, businesses and travelers as a benchmark of global mobility. They also reflect how international relations and visa policies influence the ease with which citizens can travel across borders.
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The latest improvement represents a positive step for Pakistan, though significant progress will still be needed to close the gap with countries that enjoy broader visa-free access worldwide.