Pakistani Passport Ranking
For the fourth consecutive year, the Pakistani passport has been ranked the fourth worst in the world by the Henley Passport Index, which ranks 199 passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.
Latest Ranking Details
In the latest ranking issued on Tuesday, Pakistan’s travel document is ranked 100th, tied with Yemen. This ranking is only better than Iraq (101), Syria (102), and Afghanistan (103), mirroring last year’s positions.
Visa-Free Access Comparison
- Pakistan and Yemen: Visa-free access to 33 states
- Iraq: Visa-free access to 31 states
- Syria: Visa-free access to 28 states
- Afghanistan: Visa-free access to 26 states
Afghanistan’s Passport Performance
Afghanistan remains the world’s weakest passport, losing access to another destination in the past six months, leaving its citizens with visa-free access to only 26 countries — the lowest score ever recorded in the 19-year history of the index.
Top Ranked Passports
- 1st Place: Singapore, with visa-free access to 195 destinations, setting a new record score.
- 2nd Place: Germany, Italy, Japan, France, and Spain, with access to 192 destinations.
- 3rd Place: Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden, with access to 191 destinations.
- 4th Place: United Kingdom, Belgium, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland, with access to 190 destinations.
- 8th Place: United States, with access to 186 destinations.
UAE’s Remarkable Ascent
Notably, the United Arab Emirates entered the top 10 for the first time, having added an impressive 152 destinations since the index’s inception in 2006. It rose from 62nd to 9th position with a current visa-free score of 185.
Insights from Henley & Partners
Dr. Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, attributed the UAE’s rapid ascent to deliberate and concerted efforts by the Emirati government to position the UAE as a global hub for business, tourism, and investment.
“Our research has consistently shown a strong correlation between a country’s visa-free score and its economic prosperity. Nations with higher visa-free scores tend to enjoy greater GDP per capita, increased foreign direct investment, and more robust international trade relationships,” said Dr. Steffen.
