Pakistan’s passport has dropped to 101st place globally in the latest Henley Passport Index update, down one spot from July, as the country’s visa-free access continues to narrow.
A Steady Slide Through 2026
The ranking has moved considerably over the course of the year. Pakistan started 2026 at 98th place in January, briefly improved to 97th in February, then slipped to 100th by May and 101st by August, reflecting a gradual erosion in the country’s global mobility standing relative to other nations.
Just 29 Destinations Without a Prior Visa
Pakistani passport holders can currently travel to 29 destinations without needing to arrange a visa in advance, made up of 11 visa-free countries, 15 visa-on-arrival destinations and 3 electronic travel authorization (ETA) destinations. E-visa options remain available for a wider range of countries across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas, offering a faster though still document-heavy alternative.
Cape Verde Dropped From the List
The latest update removed Cape Verde Islands from the visa-on-arrival list, cutting the total number of accessible destinations from 30 to 29. Pakistani travellers heading to the island nation must now arrange a visa before departure, adding one more step to travel planning.
Where Pakistanis Can Still Travel Freely
Despite the overall decline, several destinations remain accessible without advance visas, including Caribbean nations such as Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, Pacific islands like Vanuatu and the Cook Islands, and African countries including Rwanda and The Gambia. These options continue to offer Pakistani travellers a handful of visa-free or low-hassle routes for tourism and business.
What the Ranking Reflects
The Henley Passport Index, updated regularly using data from the International Air Transport Association, ranks passports by the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. Pakistan’s continued slide underscores the diplomatic and travel-facilitation challenges the country faces even as neighbouring economies work to expand visa-free access for their citizens.