The Pakistani passport has seen a further decline in its global standing, falling to 103rd position in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, tying with Yemen. Pakistani passport holders now enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to just 31 destinations, down from 32 earlier this year.
The fall from 96th place to 103rd reflects a continued erosion in global travel freedom for Pakistani citizens, driven by tightening visa policies and limited bilateral agreements.
Pakistan among the bottom five
According to the latest rankings, Pakistan is now among the five weakest passports in the world, with only Iraq (104th), Syria (105th), and Afghanistan (106th) ranking lower. The bottom 10 passports in 2025 offer the fewest visa-free travel options, severely restricting global mobility for their citizens.
World’s weakest passports in 2025 (Visa-free access):
1. Afghanistan – 24 destinations
2. Syria – 26
3. Iraq – 29
4. Pakistan, Yemen – 31
5. Somalia – 33
6. Nepal – 36
7. Bangladesh, North Korea – 38
8. Eritrea, Libya, Palestinian Territories – 39
9. Iran, Sri Lanka, Sudan – 41
10.Congo (DR), South Sudan – 43
India also drops in rankings
Neighboring India also saw a slip in the rankings, dropping from 77th to 85th, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 57 countries. The decline highlights growing visa restrictions across the South Asian region.
Global leaders in passport strength
At the top end of the spectrum, Singapore maintained its position as the world’s most powerful passport, offering visa-free access to 193 countries. South Korea (190) and Japan (189) followed closely behind. Several European nations also dominated the top 10.
World’s strongest passports in 2025 (Visa-free access):
1. Singapore – 193 destinations
2. South Korea – 190
3. Japan – 189
4. Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland – 188
5. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Netherlands – 187
6. Greece, Hungary, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sweden – 186
7. Australia, Czechia, Malta, Poland – 185
8. Croatia, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, UAE, UK – 184
9. Canada – 183
10.Latvia, Liechtenstein – 182
Meanwhile, the United States continued its downward trend, ranking 12th, while China climbed to 64th, indicating growing global acceptance and expanding visa-free agreements with countries across Asia, Europe, and South America.
Henley passport index: What it measures
The Henley Passport Index is a global ranking of passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. Updated quarterly, the index uses data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and is widely regarded as a benchmark for global mobility and passport strength.
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Conclusion
The continued slide of Pakistan’s passport reflects ongoing diplomatic and geopolitical challenges, with limited progress in expanding visa-free travel agreements. For Pakistani travelers, global mobility remains restricted, highlighting the need for more robust international engagement and policy reforms.
