Breaking: Pakistan Drops Several Spots in Latest Passport Rankings 2025
Pakistan Drops Several Spots in Latest Passport Rankings 2025, according to the newly released Henley Passport Index, which ranks the strength of passports based on global visa-free access. The latest report places Pakistan at 103rd position, tied with Yemen, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to only 31 countries. This marks a sharp decline from last year’s 96th rank, signaling another setback for Pakistani citizens seeking easier international travel and stronger diplomatic mobility.
The decline represents a continuing trend of reduced global mobility for Pakistanis and highlights the country’s struggle to expand diplomatic travel agreements.
📊 About the Henley Passport Index
The Henley Passport Index (HPI) ranks 199 passports worldwide according to the number of destinations their holders can enter without obtaining a visa beforehand. Data for the index is provided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and is updated quarterly.
A higher ranking indicates stronger global mobility and better diplomatic relationships, while a lower ranking suggests limited access to international destinations.
📉 Pakistan’s Declining Global Standing
In 2024, Pakistan occupied the 96th spot with 32 visa-free destinations. By 2025, the country had slipped seven ranks to 103rd. Experts cite multiple factors: weak bilateral agreements, security perceptions, economic instability, and the absence of new reciprocal visa deals.
This drop also affects Pakistani professionals, students, and tourists, who now face longer processing times and stricter background checks when traveling abroad.
🧾 World’s Weakest Passports in 2025
| Rank | Country/Passport | Visa-Free Destinations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Afghanistan | 24 |
| 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 Territory | 39 |
| 9 | Iran, Sri Lanka, Sudan | 41 |
| 10 | Congo (DRC), South Sudan | 43 |
The list shows that Pakistan ranks only above a handful of conflict-affected nations, underscoring the limited global travel freedom its citizens currently experience.
🏆 Strongest Passports in the World 2025
While Pakistan sits near the bottom, Singapore continues to lead the globe with visa-free access to 193 destinations. South Korea (190) and Japan (189) round out the top three, demonstrating Asia’s growing diplomatic influence.
| Rank | Passport(s) | Visa-Free Access |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singapore | 193 |
| 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 |
These rankings reflect the correlation between economic stability, diplomatic ties, and international travel freedom.
🇮🇳 India Also Faces a Decline
Pakistan’s neighbor India has also slipped, moving from 77th to 85th place with 57 visa-free destinations. Although India remains far ahead regionally, both nations face difficulties expanding travel freedom due to tighter immigration rules and limited bilateral mobility programs.
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🌏 Regional Comparison — South Asia 2025
| Country | Rank (2025) | Visa-Free Destinations |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore | 1 | 193 |
| UAE | 8 | 184 |
| India | 85 | 57 |
| Bangladesh | 97 | 38 |
| Pakistan | 103 | 31 |
| Afghanistan | 106 | 24 |
Pakistan remains second-to-last in South Asia, ranking above only Afghanistan.
✈️ Countries Pakistani Citizens Can Visit Without Visa in 2025
As of October 2025, Pakistanis can travel visa-free or with visa-on-arrival to 31 countries — mostly in Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
- Asia: Nepal, Maldives, Timor-Leste
- Middle East: Iran, Qatar (conditional), Yemen
- Africa: Rwanda, Senegal, Comoros, Somalia
- Oceania: Palau, Tuvalu, Samoa, Micronesia
- Caribbean: Dominica, Haiti, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Although these provide some travel flexibility, most are small or developing nations with limited economic or educational prospects for Pakistani citizens.
💬 Experts Call for Policy Reforms
Foreign-policy observers link Pakistan’s low ranking to its restricted diplomatic reach and inconsistent foreign policy execution.
“The strength of a passport mirrors a nation’s global credibility. Pakistan must pursue more reciprocal visa agreements and promote trust through stability,”
said a senior analyst at the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI).
They urge the government to expand economic diplomacy, enhance security vetting, and engage tourism partnerships that can open new corridors for mobility.
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🛂 Government’s Response and Planned Improvements
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Interior Division have announced several steps aimed at improving Pakistan’s travel freedom:
- Biometric e-Passport System: Pakistan has introduced machine-readable and biometric passports with enhanced security, aligning with international ICAO standards.
- Negotiations for Reciprocal Visa Waivers: Talks are ongoing with Malaysia, Indonesia, and several African states.
- Tourism Promotion Campaigns: Through the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), the government is encouraging mutual tourism deals to boost confidence.
- Diaspora Diplomacy: Pakistani embassies are being directed to leverage expatriate communities to enhance bilateral relations.
Officials claim these measures will gradually enhance Pakistan’s image and could improve rankings by 2026–27.
🌐 Global Trends: Power Shift in Mobility
While European passports maintain dominance, Asian countries are increasingly competitive. Singapore and South Korea top the chart, reflecting the region’s economic and diplomatic influence.
Meanwhile, the United States dropped to 12th place, and China climbed to 64th after signing new travel agreements across Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
This indicates a global shift where emerging Asian economies are leading mobility gains once dominated by Western nations.
📉 Impact on Pakistan’s Citizens
A lower passport ranking has tangible consequences:
- Students face tougher visa scrutiny and longer processing delays.
- Entrepreneurs find international business expansion costlier.
- Tourists encounter higher rejection rates and travel insurance premiums.
- Skilled workers face limited regional job mobility.
The overall result is reduced global participation for Pakistanis — particularly youth seeking international education and employment.
🧭 Way Forward — Boosting Pakistan’s Passport Power
Analysts recommend the following long-term strategies:
- Enhance Economic Credibility: Stronger GDP growth and fiscal stability increase global trust.
- Improve Security Screening Mechanisms: Implement digital ID verification and real-time travel monitoring.
- Promote Peace and Stability: Internal harmony and reduced conflict perception encourage countries to relax visa policies.
- Expand Bilateral Visa Deals: Negotiate mutual visa exemptions with friendly Asian, African, and Gulf states.
- Leverage CPEC Partnerships: Pakistan’s trade partners under CPEC could open new mobility corridors.
With consistent reform, Pakistan could climb several ranks by the next Henley report.
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🏁 Conclusion – Pakistan Drops Several Spots in Latest Passport Rankings 2025
The Henley Passport Index 2025 paints a sobering picture of Pakistan’s global travel limitations. At 103rd place and tied with Yemen, Pakistani citizens enjoy visa-free entry to only 31 destinations.
However, the introduction of e-passports, expanded diplomacy, and tourism promotion campaigns signal the government’s intent to rebuild international confidence.
Until substantial progress is made, Pakistani travelers must continue navigating one of the world’s most restrictive mobility frameworks — a reminder that a passport’s strength reflects not only diplomatic agreements but a nation’s overall global standing.
For continuous coverage of Pakistan’s global rankings, visa updates, and travel policies, visit:
🔗 PAVE.com.pk — Pakistan Visa & Travel Updates 2025
