Dubai: According to the Henley Passport Index, Pakistan's passport stands at the fourth-to-last spot on the global ranking, which evaluates 199 passports based on the number of countries their holders can visit without prior visa arrangements.
Tied at 100th place with Yemen, Pakistan's passport grants its bearers visa-free access to just 33 countries, placing it marginally ahead of Iraq (31 destinations), Syria (28 destinations), and Afghanistan, which retains its unfortunate distinction as the weakest passport globally with access to only 26 destinations.
Image Credits: HenleyPassportIndex
Singapore remains the indisputable leader, boasting a record-setting 195 destinations accessible without a visa. Following closely behind, Germany, Italy, Japan, France, and Spain share the second position with access to 192 destinations each. In third place, Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden offer their passport holders access to 191 countries.
Notably, the United Arab Emirates has made a dramatic ascent into the top 10 for the first time, now ranked 9th. With visa-free access to 185 destinations, the UAE has climbed an impressive 53 spots since 2006, reflecting deliberate efforts to establish itself as a global hub for business, tourism, and investment.
Image Credits: HenleyPassportIndex
Dr. Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, highlighted the correlation between visa-free scores and economic prosperity, noting that nations with higher scores tend to enjoy greater GDP per capita, increased foreign direct investment, and stronger international trade relationships. The latest index underscores not just the freedom of global mobility but also its broader economic implications.