The Pakistan Passport has declined significantly in global rankings over the past two decades, according to the latest Henley Passport Index. The July 2026 edition of the index places the Pakistan Passport at 101st position, compared to 79th place in 2006.
The Henley Passport Index, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, measures the travel freedom offered by passports around the world. The latest report shows that global mobility has improved overall. On average, passports now provide visa-free access to 108 destinations, compared to 58 destinations in 2006. However, Pakistan has not experienced the same level of progress.
Pakistan Passport Ranking Over the Years
The ranking of the Pakistan Passport has changed several times since 2006. It dropped from 79th place in 2006 to 99th in 2011. The ranking continued to decline and reached 107th place in 2015.
The passport recorded its lowest ranking in 2021 when it fell to 113th position. Since then, it has shown gradual improvement. It climbed to 101st place in 2024 before slipping to 103rd in 2025.
In the latest July 2026 rankings, Pakistan improved slightly and returned to 101st position.
Changes During 2026
The ranking changed several times during 2026. Pakistan started the year in 98th place in January. It improved further to 97th place in February.
However, the ranking declined again in the following months. It dropped to 100th place in May and then moved to 101st position in the July edition of the index.
These changes reflect updates made by the Henley Passport Index throughout the year.
Travel Access for Pakistani Citizens
According to the latest report, holders of the Pakistan Passport currently have access to 29 destinations through visa-free travel, visa-on-arrival, or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
This includes 11 visa-free destinations, 15 destinations offering visa-on-arrival, and three destinations that allow entry through an Electronic Travel Authorization system.
The number of accessible destinations plays an important role in determining a passport’s global ranking.
Why Passport Rankings Change
Passport rankings can improve or decline for several reasons. Countries may introduce new visa-free agreements or tighten entry rules. Changes in visa-on-arrival policies can also affect rankings.
Diplomatic relations between countries, international security concerns, and geopolitical developments are other important factors. These issues influence how governments decide their travel policies for foreign visitors.
As a result, passport rankings may change throughout the year when countries revise their immigration and visa requirements.
Outlook
Although the Pakistan Passport has improved since reaching its lowest ranking in 2021, it remains weaker than it was two decades ago. The latest ranking shows some recovery, but the overall position is still below its 2006 level.
In other related news also read Pakistan to Replace Traditional Passports With Digital e-Passports
The Henley Passport Index highlights that global travel opportunities continue to expand for many countries. Pakistan has also made some progress in recent years, but further improvements in international mobility will depend on future diplomatic developments and changes in global visa policies.
