The Pakistani passport has made a slight improvement in its global standing, now offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 32 countries. This update comes from the latest Henley Passport Index, compiled by Henley and Partners, a firm specializing in global citizenship and residency advice.
With this change, Pakistan’s passport now ranks 100th out of 199 countries—still on the lower end, but a step forward in terms of travel mobility for Pakistani citizens.
This development also comes alongside a recent agreement between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), aimed at easing travel for specific categories of travellers. On Wednesday, both countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that grants visa exemptions to holders of diplomatic and official passports.
Once the agreement is in effect, Pakistani diplomats and government officials will no longer need to go through lengthy visa processes when travelling to the UAE, a major economic and diplomatic partner of Pakistan.
An official from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Dawn, on the condition of anonymity, that the agreement will support smoother official travel and enhance cooperation between the two nations.
32 countries now accessible without a pre-approved visa
As per the 2025 Henley Passport Index update, Pakistani passport holders can now travel to 32 countries without needing to get a visa in advance. These destinations are spread across Africa, South Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
Here’s a breakdown of the countries offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access:
Africa and Indian Ocean region:
Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Madagascar, Mozambique, Burundi, Comoro Islands, Sierra Leone, Somalia
South and Southeast Asia:
Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Timor-Leste
Caribbean nations:
Dominica, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Montserrat
Pacific Islands:
Micronesia, Palau Islands, Samoa, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Niue, Cook Islands
Other regions:
Qatar, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde Islands, Djibouti
While these may not be top travel destinations for many Pakistanis, officials say the growing number of accessible countries reflects gradual progress in global mobility for Pakistani passport holders.
understanding different visa types
The Henley advisory also explains the differences in visa access:
- Visa-free: You don’t need a visa at all to enter.
- Visa on arrival: A visa is issued once you arrive at the destination.
- E-visa: You apply and receive the visa online before travelling.
- Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA): A simpler pre-approval process, not quite a full visa.
regional and global comparisons
Despite the improvement, Pakistan’s passport remains among the lowest-ranked in South Asia. For instance, Indian passport holders can enter more than 60 countries without a visa, while Bangladeshi citizens have access to about 42 countries.
On the other hand, the world’s most powerful passport—Singapore’s—gives its citizens visa-free access to 193 countries. Japan and South Korea follow closely, each with access to 190 destinations. Several European countries, including Germany, France, and Spain, tie for third place, offering their citizens visa-free entry to 189 countries.
