Pakistan’s passport ranking has taken a dip in the latest Henley Passport Index update for May 2026, dropping to 100th place globally. After a promising climb earlier in the year, the reversal has sparked fresh debate about the country’s global mobility standing and what Pakistani travelers can realistically expect when planning trips abroad.
Here is everything you need to know about where Pakistan’s passport stands right now, which countries you can visit without a pre-arranged visa, and what changes may be on the horizon.
Pakistan’s Henley Passport Index Ranking
According to the latest Henley Passport Index update released in May 2026, the Pakistani passport now ranks 100th in the world. This represents a notable slide from the 97th position it held in February 2026, when the ranking had improved to its highest point in recent years.
Here is how Pakistan’s ranking has moved through 2026:
| Month | Henley Ranking | Accessible Destinations |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 (year-end) | 103rd | 29 |
| January 2026 | 98th | 31 |
| February 2026 | 97th | 32 |
| May 2026 | 100th | 30 |
The drop from 32 accessible destinations in February to 30 in May reflects ongoing adjustments in bilateral visa agreements and global travel policies. Despite the setback, the passport is still in a stronger position than it was at the end of 2025, when it ranked 103rd with access to just 29 destinations.
How Pakistan Compares to Other Passports
To put Pakistan’s ranking in context, here is where other countries in the region stand on the May 2026 Henley Passport Index:
- Singapore holds the top spot globally as the world’s most powerful passport.
- Pakistan (100th) sits near the bottom of the index, with only Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan ranking below it.
- Afghanistan remains the weakest passport in the world, ranked last with access to just 23 destinations.
- Syria ranks just above Afghanistan with 26 accessible destinations.
- Iraq has access to 29 destinations.
The gap between the world’s strongest and weakest passports spans nearly 170 destinations, highlighting the significant disparity in global travel freedom.
Complete List of Visa-Free & Visa-on-Arrival Countries
Pakistani passport holders currently have access to 30 destinations through three categories: visa-free entry, visa on arrival (VOA), and electronic travel authorization (ETA).
Visa-Free Countries (11)
Pakistani citizens can enter the following countries without any visa arrangement:
- Barbados
- Cook Islands
- Dominica
- Haiti
- Micronesia
- Montserrat
- Rwanda
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- The Gambia
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Vanuatu
Visa on Arrival (VOA) Countries (16)
The following countries issue visas to Pakistani passport holders upon arrival at the port of entry:
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cape Verde Islands
- Comoro Islands
- Djibouti
- Guinea-Bissau
- Madagascar
- Maldives
- Nepal
- Niue
- Palau Islands
- Samoa
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Timor-Leste
- Tuvalu
Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) Required (3)
These countries require Pakistani travelers to obtain an electronic travel authorization before departure:
- Kenya
- Seychelles
- Sri Lanka
GCC Travel Options for Pakistani Passport Holders
Five of the six GCC countries — UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman — do not offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to Pakistani passport holders for tourism and require a pre-arranged visa. Qatar is the exception among GCC states:
- Qatar offers visa on arrival to Pakistani passport holders, subject to specific conditions. Pakistani nationals must book accommodation through the official Discover Qatar platform prior to travel in order to be eligible for the visa on arrival. Alternatively, travelers can apply in advance for a Hayya A2 entry visa online. A visa fee of QAR 100 applies, and the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival.
- Pakistan and the UAE have signed a bilateral agreement allowing holders of diplomatic and official passports to travel between the two countries without a visa, effective from July 2025. This exemption does not apply to regular passport holders.
- For regular passport holders, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman require a pre-arranged visa, though the application process varies by country.
Pakistani travelers heading to the GCC for work, family visits, or tourism should apply for visas well in advance. You can compare and book flights to destinations across the Middle East on Wego Flights.
Pakistan’s E-Passport Rollout: What It Means for Travelers
Pakistan has been rolling out its e-passport program nationwide, a development that could eventually improve the passport’s standing in global rankings. Key updates include:
- The new e-passports comply with ICAO standards and contain an embedded electronic chip storing the holder’s biometric information.
- E-passport holders can use automated e-gate facilities at airports equipped with automated border control infrastructure, reducing immigration wait times.
- Authorities are digitizing the entire passport and immigration system to create a fully paperless operation.
Officials have noted that the e-passport upgrade, along with recent bilateral agreements and eased entry policies in several countries, contributed to the earlier upward movement in Pakistan’s ranking during the first quarter of 2026.
Tips for Pakistani Travelers Planning International Trips
Given the limited visa-free access, Pakistani travelers should consider the following when planning trips:
- Start visa applications early. Many countries require extensive documentation and processing times of 7 to 21 business days.
- Consider VOA destinations for spontaneous travel. The Maldives, Cambodia, Nepal, and Samoa are among the more popular visa-on-arrival destinations for Pakistani travelers.
- Upgrade to the e-passport. The biometric passport can speed up immigration processing at international airports and may be required by more countries going forward.
- Compare flight deals. With multiple airlines operating between Pakistan and the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, comparing fares on Wego can help you find the best prices for your trip.
While the May 2026 ranking is a setback, Pakistan’s passport has still gained ground compared to where it stood at the end of 2025. For now, Pakistani travelers should stay informed about visa requirements and plan their trips accordingly.
For the latest flight deals from Pakistan to destinations across the Middle East, Asia, and beyond, visit Wego Flights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pakistan’s passport ranking as of May 2026?
As of the May 2026 update, Pakistan’s passport ranks 100th on the Henley Passport Index, with access to 30 destinations through visa-free entry, visa on arrival, or electronic travel authorization. This is a drop from 97th place in February 2026, when the passport had reached its highest recent point.
How many countries can Pakistani passport holders visit without a pre-arranged visa?
Pakistani passport holders can currently access 30 destinations without a pre-arranged visa: 11 countries offer completely visa-free entry, 16 grant a visa on arrival at the airport, and 3 require an electronic travel authorization (ETA) obtained before departure. The three ETA countries are Kenya, Seychelles, and Sri Lanka.
Can Pakistani passport holders travel to GCC countries without a visa?
Most GCC countries — UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman — require Pakistani regular passport holders to obtain a pre-arranged visa. Qatar is an exception: Pakistani nationals can obtain a visa on arrival in Qatar by booking accommodation through the official Discover Qatar platform before travel. As of July 2025, holders of Pakistani diplomatic or official passports can enter the UAE visa-free under a bilateral agreement, but this does not apply to regular passports.
What is the Pakistani e-passport, and how is it different from the regular passport?
The Pakistani e-passport is a biometric travel document that complies with ICAO standards. It contains an embedded electronic microchip that stores the holder’s biometric data, including fingerprints and a digital photograph. Unlike the standard machine-readable passport, the e-passport enables contactless reading at automated border control e-gates, resulting in faster and more secure identity verification at participating airports. E-passports have been available at all Directorate General of Immigration & Passports field offices nationwide since August 2023.
How does Pakistan’s passport compare to other weak passports globally?
Pakistan ranks 100th on the May 2026 Henley Passport Index, placing it among the lowest-ranked passports in the world. Only Iraq (29 accessible destinations), Syria (26 destinations), and Afghanistan (23 destinations) rank below it. The gap between the world’s strongest passport (Singapore, with roughly 192 visa-free destinations) and the weakest (Afghanistan) is nearly 170 destinations.
Is Pakistan’s passport ranking likely to improve?
Pakistan’s ranking has shown it can improve — it climbed from 103rd at end-2025 to 97th in February 2026 before sliding back to 100th in May 2026. Key factors that could support future improvement include the ongoing e-passport rollout, new bilateral visa agreements, and diplomatic efforts to ease entry requirements with more countries. However, rankings can also slip if other countries tighten their policies toward Pakistani passport holders. Checking the Henley Passport Index regularly for the latest updates is recommended.
Sources
- Henley Passport Index — Global Passport Ranking, Henley & Partners
- Henley Rankings: Pakistan passport among world’s weakest, ranked 100th — Organiser, May 2026
- Pakistan Passport Slips in May 2026: Latest Ranking, Visa-Free, VOA and ETA Destinations Explained — Gulf News
- Visas — Visit Qatar (Official Qatar Tourism)
- FAQs — Directorate General of Immigration & Passports, Government of Pakistan
- e-Passport — Directorate General of Immigration & Passports, Government of Pakistan
- UAE activates visa-free travel for Pakistani diplomats and officials — Gulf News
- Henley Passport Index — Wikipedia
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
