Pakistani passport ranks among lowest globally in latest Henley Passport Index

Pakistani passport allows visa-free entry to only 33 countries, ranking just above Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan

Business Desk - Nov 04, 2024

A representational image of Pakistani passports. — X/@mugheesali81

In the latest Henley Passport Index, Pakistan’s passport ranks among the lowest in the world, positioned 102nd out of 227 countries. This rank places it below conflict-affected nations like Palestine.

The low position is largely due to Pakistan’s strict visa restrictions, security concerns, and weaker diplomatic relations, limiting global access for its citizens.

The Pakistani passport allows visa-free entry to only 33 countries, ranking just above Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. This has been the case for nearly five years, with Pakistan consistently holding one of the lowest positions on the index.

Other nations with similar low rankings include Liberia, Somalia, Sudan, Haiti, and Chad, which face similar issues impacting their citizens’ travel freedom.

Top-ranked passports

In contrast, Singapore holds the top spot on the Henley Passport Index, giving its citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 195 destinations. Here are the top 10 passports according to the latest rankings:

Singapore: 195 destinations
France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain with 192 destinations
Austria, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden with 191 destinations
Belgium, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom with 190 destinations
Australia, Portugal, with 189 destinations
Greece, Poland, with 188 destinations
Canada, Czechia, Hungary, and Malta with 187 destinations
United States with 186 destinations
Estonia, Lithuania, and the United Arab Emirates with 185 destinations
Iceland, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia, with 184 destinations

The Henley Passport Index is based on information supplied by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and research by Henley & Partners. It illustrates the impact of the diplomatic muscle of a country on freedom to travel by its citizens.

The Global Mobility Report 2024, which also has been published by Henley & Partners, indicated a growing gap in freedom to travel, with residents of developed nations having an increased ability to move across borders compared to those hailing from less stable regions.

The report shines a light on the Pakistani passport holder's issues of limited travel ability based on geopolitical and diplomatic standards.