Introduction: Pakistan’s Passport in Global Spotlight
In 2025, the Pakistan passport ranking has once again become a topic of national discussion as global travel restrictions, diplomatic relations, and international policies continue to evolve. According to the Henley Passport Index 2025 and supporting data from Get Golden Visa and Dawn, Pakistan’s passport currently ranks 103rd in the world, giving its holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 33 countries.
Although this rank still places Pakistan among the bottom five globally, there has been a gradual improvement in regional relations and global perception, which experts believe can pave the way for better mobility in the future.
Pakistan’s Global Passport Ranking in 2025
The Henley Passport Index 2025 ranks Pakistan at 103rd position, tied with Yemen, and only ahead of Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. The ranking is based on the number of destinations Pakistani citizens can enter without a prior visa.
In total, Pakistani passport holders can travel to 33 countries either visa-free or with a visa on arrival. This number includes small island nations, African countries, and some Asian destinations that have bilateral or friendly visa policies with Pakistan.
While Pakistan’s position has remained mostly stable since 2024, the number of visa-free countries has slightly increased from 31 to 33, signaling minor diplomatic progress.
Visa-Free and Visa-on-Arrival Destinations for Pakistan (2025)
Pakistani citizens can travel to the following countries without a visa or with a visa upon arrival. These include nations from Africa, the Caribbean, Oceania, and parts of Asia.
Popular Visa-Free Destinations (2025):
- Barbados
- Dominica
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Haiti
- Micronesia
- Niue
- Vanuatu
- Cook Islands
- Montserrat
Visa-on-Arrival Countries (2025):
- Sri Lanka
- Nepal
- Qatar
- Kenya
- Rwanda
- Seychelles
- Madagascar
- Mozambique
- Mauritania
- Timor-Leste
- Comoros
- Cambodia
These destinations represent the limited yet valuable travel options for Pakistani citizens, allowing short-term tourism, business visits, or family trips without lengthy embassy procedures.
Comparison with Previous Years
Over the past five years, Pakistan’s passport ranking has shown slow but noticeable progress.
- 2021: Ranked 107th, with access to 31 countries.
- 2022: Ranked 106th.
- 2023: Ranked 104th.
- 2024: Ranked 103rd.
- 2025: Still 103rd, with improved visa-free count (33 destinations).
This improvement, though small, demonstrates Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic outreach and attempts to sign mutual travel agreements, especially with regional partners and developing nations.
Top-Ranking Passports in 2025
To understand Pakistan’s position, it helps to look at the global leaders:
- Singapore – 194 visa-free destinations
- Japan – 193 destinations
- South Korea & France – 192 destinations
- Germany, Spain, and Italy – 191 destinations
These countries’ strong diplomatic ties, global reputation, and stable economies have enabled their citizens to enjoy the world’s most powerful passports.
In contrast, countries like Pakistan, Yemen, Iraq, and Afghanistan remain at the bottom due to political instability, security concerns, and limited international agreements.
Why Pakistan’s Passport Ranks Low
Several factors contribute to Pakistan’s low ranking in global passport indexes:
- Security and Immigration Concerns: Many countries impose strict visa requirements due to security policies and migration fears.
- Limited Bilateral Agreements: Pakistan currently lacks wide visa-waiver agreements with Western and developed nations.
- Global Perception Issues: International perception of safety and governance still affects how freely Pakistani travelers can move.
- Economic Challenges: Economic instability and currency devaluation indirectly impact diplomatic power and negotiation leverage.
Despite these challenges, Pakistan continues to strengthen ties with Middle Eastern, African, and Asian nations — a promising direction for future rankings.
Regional Comparison: South Asia in 2025
Within South Asia, Pakistan’s passport ranking remains lower than most neighbors:
- India: 83rd (visa-free to 62 countries)
- Bangladesh: 97th (visa-free to 42 countries)
- Nepal: 92nd (visa-free to 49 countries)
- Pakistan: 103rd (visa-free to 33 countries)
- Afghanistan: 108th (visa-free to 29 countries)
This comparison highlights that while Pakistan’s mobility remains limited, its incremental diplomatic improvements could help bridge this gap in the coming years.
Efforts to Improve Pakistan’s Passport Strength
The Government of Pakistan, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Interior Division, has initiated several efforts to enhance international cooperation, including:
- Bilateral visa negotiations with Gulf and ASEAN countries.
- Digital passport systems launched in 2024 to improve travel document security.
- e-Passport rollout for Pakistani citizens worldwide.
- Expansion of consular services to support overseas Pakistanis.
These steps aim to build global trust and open new travel opportunities, especially for business professionals, students, and tourists.
Future Outlook for Pakistan’s Passport
Experts predict that Pakistan’s passport may climb slightly higher by 2026 if diplomatic and economic reforms continue. The country’s participation in trade pacts, international peacekeeping, and global environmental initiatives could play a role in improving its image and mobility.
Moreover, increased travel from Pakistan’s IT, medical, and education sectors has encouraged friendly visa policies in some nations. If such trends continue, Pakistan could expect to reach a ranking around 100th or 101st by 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions – Pakistan Passport Ranking 2025
What is the rank of Pakistan in 2025?
As of 2025, Pakistan’s passport ranks 103rd globally according to the Henley Passport Index and Get Golden Visa Passport Index. This ranking places Pakistan among the lower tier of global passports, just above countries like Yemen, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Pakistani citizens currently enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 33 countries, showing slight improvement from the previous year.
Who has the strongest passport in 2025?
In 2025, the world’s strongest passports belong to Singapore, Japan, and South Korea, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 192 destinations worldwide. These countries consistently top the Henley Passport Index due to strong diplomatic relations, stable economies, and global trust in their citizens’ travel profiles.
What is the Pakistani passport rank in the world?
Globally, the Pakistani passport is ranked 103rd in 2025. This means Pakistan is among the five weakest passports in terms of travel freedom. However, with access to 33 countries visa-free or via visa-on-arrival, Pakistan has made modest progress compared to 2024, when it provided access to only 31 destinations.
Which countries are visa-free for Pakistan in 2025?
Pakistani citizens can visit 33 countries in 2025 without needing a prior visa. These include both visa-free and visa-on-arrival destinations across Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean.
Some of the visa-free and visa-on-arrival countries for Pakistan in 2025 are:
- Sri Lanka (eTA)
- Nepal (Visa on Arrival)
- Qatar (Visa on Arrival)
- Kenya (eTA)
- Rwanda (Visa on Arrival)
- Maldives (Visa on Arrival)
- Barbados (Visa-Free)
- Dominica (Visa-Free)
- Trinidad and Tobago (Visa-Free)
- Seychelles (Visa on Arrival)
- Timor-Leste (Visa on Arrival)
- Mozambique (Visa on Arrival)
- Comoros (Visa on Arrival)
These destinations provide Pakistanis opportunities for tourism, trade, and cultural exchange without lengthy visa procedures.
Conclusion: A Path Toward Progress
While Pakistan’s passport ranking in 2025 may still appear low, the underlying trend is one of slow and steady progress. The increase in visa-free destinations, the introduction of e-passports, and renewed foreign engagement reflect a nation striving to improve its global standing.
For millions of Pakistanis who dream of traveling freely for education, work, or leisure, the journey toward a stronger passport continues. Each diplomatic step, each agreement, and each positive reform moves Pakistan closer to greater global mobility and recognition.