Pakistan Ranks 96th in 2025 Global Passport Index

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Pakistan’s passport remains among the weakest globally, ranking 96th out of 199 countries in the latest Henley Passport Index for July to December 2025, with visa-free access to just 32 destinations.

Pakistan continues to lag behind in global travel freedom, ranking 96th out of 199 countries in the latest Henley Passport Index for July to December 2025. With visa-free access to just 32 countries, it shares its position with Yemen and Somalia, highlighting the country’s ongoing diplomatic and mobility limitations on the global stage.

The Henley Passport Index, a global ranking system based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), measures how many destinations a passport allows entry to without requiring a visa beforehand. In this year’s midterm update, Pakistan finds itself fourth from the bottom, underscoring minimal improvement despite evolving global travel norms and increased mobility across other developing regions.

By comparison, Singapore has retained its lead as the world’s most powerful passport, granting its citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 193 countries. Japan and South Korea closely follow, each securing the second spot with visa-free access to 190 destinations, reflecting the growing international influence and diplomatic reach of East Asian nations.

European countries remain dominant in the top tier of the rankings. Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain jointly claim third place with visa-free access to 189 countries. Belgium, Austria, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden sit just behind them in fourth place with 188 destinations. Greece, Switzerland, and New Zealand follow in fifth, offering access to 187 countries.

For Pakistan, the poor ranking signals not only limited global mobility but also broader issues of international perception and bilateral trust. The country’s travel document has struggled to gain recognition due to concerns surrounding governance, border controls, and security cooperation. Despite some diplomatic overtures in recent years, there has been little meaningful shift in how Pakistani nationals are treated at global checkpoints.

Analysts have noted that countries with stronger rule of law, stable governance, and open-market economies consistently rank higher in the index. Without sustained reforms and a coherent foreign policy aimed at restoring international confidence, Pakistan’s standing is unlikely to improve.

The Henley Passport Index is frequently cited as a barometer of a country’s global standing, soft power, and diplomatic influence. While many nations have made strides to improve their rankings through strategic alliances and streamlined immigration policies, Pakistan’s continued low ranking is a stark reminder of the long road ahead.