Pakistani passport ranked 100th in latest Henley Passport Index

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s passport has been placed 100th globally in the latest Henley Passport Index, which says Pakistani citizens currently have visa-free access to 30 destinations.

The index compares 199 passports across 227 travel destinations and assigns rankings based on how many places can be entered without a visa. According to the latest update, Pakistan is among the lowest-ranked countries on the list, with only Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan placed below it.

Despite remaining near the bottom of the index over the past decade, Pakistan’s position has shown gradual improvement since 2021. In January this year, the country moved up to 98th place from 103rd in 2025.

The report also noted changes in the number of destinations available to Pakistani passport holders over recent months. In February 2026, Pakistani citizens could access 32 destinations, up from 31 in January after The Gambia was reinstated. However, the latest ranking for May has reduced that number to 30, reflecting continuing changes in visa rules and bilateral travel arrangements.

Asian passports continue to lead rankings

The latest index is led by Asian countries. Singapore has retained the top position, while Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates are tied in second place.

Sweden is ranked third and is the highest-placed European country in the index. A group of 12 European countries, including France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, share fourth place.

The United States is ranked 10th in the latest list.

Regional comparison

India’s passport has also slipped in the rankings. It has fallen from 75th earlier this year to 78th in the latest index.

The Henley Passport Index is widely followed as a measure of global travel mobility, with rankings shifting as countries revise visa policies and as bilateral arrangements change. In Pakistan’s case, the latest figures show that while the country had made gains earlier in the year, its current standing has edged lower again in the May update.

The latest ranking places Pakistan at 100th with access to 30 destinations, underlining both the limited travel mobility available to its passport holders and the fluctuations that can occur as international entry requirements are revised.