Pakistan passport remains among world’s weakest

Pakistan’s passport once again ranked among the world’s weakest, retaining its position as the fourth worst globally, according to the latest Henley Passport Index released on January 13.

The index, which evaluates 199 passports based on the number of destinations their holders can enter without a prior visa, placed Pakistan 98th — tied with Yemen — with visa-free access to just 31 destinations.

It ranked higher than Iraq (99), Syria (100) and Afghanistan (101).

Pakistan’s travel document has consistently appeared near the bottom of the index since 2021. It ranked 102nd out of 106 spots in 2025, 100th in both 2024 and 2023, 109th in 2022 when it allowed entry into 32 countries without a prior visa, and 107th in 2021 with the same visa-free count.

Meanwhile, Singapore retained its position as the world’s most powerful passport, granting holders visa-free access to 192 countries. South Korea and Japan followed closely, offering access to 188 destinations.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) recorded the strongest long-term rise of any country on the Henley Passport Index, climbing an unprecedented 57 places over the past two decades to rank 5th globally in 2026

“Over the past 20 years, global mobility has expanded significantly, but the benefits have been distributed unevenly”, says Dr Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman at Henley & Partners and creator of the Henley Passport Index.

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“Today, passport privilege plays a decisive role in shaping opportunity, security, and economic participation, with rising average access masking a reality in which mobility advantages are increasingly concentrated among the world’s most economically powerful and politically stable nations.”

This imbalance is intensifying even as international travel demand continues to grow. IATA forecasts that airlines will carry more than 5.2 billion passengers globally this year.

“A record number of people are expected to travel in 2026. The unequivocal economic and social benefits generated by this travel grow as it becomes more accessible. But while more people have the economic freedom to travel, many nationalities are seeing that a passport alone is no longer sufficient to cross borders,” says IATA Director General Willie Walsh.

“As many governments look to more tightly secure their borders, technological advances such as digital ID and digital passports should not be overlooked by policymakers. Convenient travel and secure borders are possible.”