Pakistan Passport Ranking 2026: Where It Stands Globally

The Pakistani passport ranks 103rd globally in 2026 as per the Saad Ahsan Residency and Citizenship Passport Index. Pakistani passport holders currently provide access to 29 destinations without requiring a traditional visa before travel, including visa free, visa on arrival, and ETA destinations. 

Pakistan’s passport ranking has changed multiple times during 2026 as travel access rules keep updating. This article explains Pakistan passport ranking 2026, how it is measured, which countries rank above and below it, and what the ranking means for Pakistani travelers. 

What Is Pakistani Passport Rank 2026?

As per the Saad Ahsan Passport Index, Pakistani passport ranks 103rd globally in 2026.

What Does 103rd Place Actually Mean?

The passport ranking and number of access destinations differ from each other. Based on the number of countries a passport provides access to, a passport ranking is measured. Even if the access changes a little bit, the ranking of passports also changes because other countries are also gaining or losing access. 

How Has Pakistan’s Passport Ranking Changed During 2026?

Pakistan passport ranking history as follows shows that number has changed multiple times in 2026.  

Why did Pakistan’s ranking move during the year?

Governments can introduce or remove visa exemptions. Moreover the visa on arrival and ETA policies also change. Pakistan’s passport ranking also changed based on change in policies. 

In 2026 alone, the country's number of accessible destinations changed which is why the ranking also changed during several months. Some passport positions improve while others positions are lowered. It is because based on changes in travel privileges the rankings are recalculated.  

How Is the Pakistan Passport Ranking Calculated?

The Saad Ahsan Residency and Citizenship passport index is calculated by counting the number of accessible destinations without requiring a visa before traveling. It includes all types of access such as visa free, visa on arrival, and electronic travel authorization (ETA). 

The index also shows to which destinations an individual needs an eVisa before travel and to which do not. On the basis of scores, rankings are calculated. Passports also share a rank if they have equal scores. 

Hence, this is how a Pakistan passport is ranked including the number of visa free, visa on arrival, and ETA destinations. 

What Counts as Visa Free Access?

The destinations where individuals do not require a visa to travel to are visa free destinations on a country’s passport. 

Does Visa on Arrival Count?

Yes, visa on arrival destinations do count if you include it in the passport index methodology. Methodologies differ depending on various factors organizations use for their passport index calculation. 

Are eVisa and ETAs the Same?

No, both are not the same. eVisa online is a legal permission that is issued by the government which then allows you to enter, stay, or work in a country for any reason.

ETA is an online pre-screening or travel registration required for travelers with visa exemptions. It does not grant immigration status or give you guaranteed rights to enter the country rather it simply grants you permission for boarding a flight towards a country.

How Many Countries Can Pakistani Passport Holders Access Without a Prior Visa?

Pakistani passport holders currently have access to 29 destinations that do not require individuals to obtain a visa before traveling. These destinations include following access types:

Visa Free Countries

The number of Pakistan passport visa-free countries 2026 include 11 destinations. 

Visa on Arrival Countries

Among the 29 countries, a Pakistani passport provides access to, Pakistan passport visa on arrival countries include 15 destinations. 

ETA Destinations

There are 3 ETA destinations on a Pakistani passport including Kenya, Seychelles, and Sri Lanka. 

Which Passports Rank Below Pakistan in 2026?

Pakistan passport ranks 103rd but still the countries below Pakistan passport ranking include:

• Iraq

• Syria

• Afghanistan

The above countries hold one of the weakest passports in the world 2026 and remain below the Pakistan passport global position. 

How Does the Pakistan Passport Compare With Other South Asian Passports?

In South Asia and globally, the Pakistan passport ranks among the weakest passports offering visa free or visa on arrival access to 29 destinations. The Pakistan passport comparison with India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and other countries demonstrate that Pakistan ranks below many countries in South Asian passport ranking 2026. 

Why Is the Pakistani Passport Ranked 103rd?

Pakistani citizens have access to a very limited number of destinations without requiring a traditional visa in advance. Pakistani passport travel restrictions clearly answer the most commonly asked question, ‘Why is Pakistan passport weak?’. There are multiple factors which led to the weak Pakistan passport strength 2026.

These factors include international passport mobility, visa exemption agreements, changes in destination entry policies, and improvements in other countries’ accessible travel destinations. 

Limited Visa Free Agreements

Visa free access depends on the entry policies of destination countries. These policies may include bilateral agreements and unilateral exemptions. 

Pakistani citizens need to obtain a visa before entering the majority of destination countries. As a result, the number of countries offering visa free entry on a Pakistani passport are very limited. 

However, expanding the visa waiver agreements can specifically improve the international mobility for citizens of Pakistan.

Changes in Destination Visa Policies

Countries regularly review their immigration and entry requirements. These changes may introduce new visa exemptions, expand visa on arrival facilities, or require travellers to obtain additional authorizations before departure. 

Hence changing entry requirements may also affect a passport strength by changing the mobility score. But not every visa-policy change affects the ranking. The impact depends on whether the policy or factor that saw a change was included in the passport index’s ranking calculation methodology. 

Other Countries Are Expanding Their Mobility

Global passport rankings are comparative. A country’s position depends not only on its own accessible destinations number but also on the mobility score other passports offer. 

For instance, Pakistan's ranking may reduce even if its number of accessible destinations remains the same. It may happen if other countries gain more visa free or visa on arrival access. 

This demonstrates that Pakistan's position can change despite the Pakistan passport mobility score remaining the same. 

Does a Low Passport Ranking Mean Pakistani Citizens Cannot Travel?

No, a low passport ranking does not mean the citizens of Pakistan cannot travel rather it shows that they need a prior visa before traveling to major destinations of the world compared to those with the stronger passports. 

Pakistani citizens can still apply for tourist, business, student or other appropriate visa categories. Many countries also offer electronic visa application systems which allow eligible Pakistani citizens to submit applications online rather than through a detailed traditional embassy process.

Therefore, a passport ranking shows convenience of international travel rather than telling whether citizens are legally permitted to travel abroad. 

Visa Free vs Visa on Arrival vs ETA vs eVisa

Visa free entry, visa on arrival, electronic travel authorization (ETA) and electronic visa (eVisa) are different travel entry arrangements.  They differ in rules and permissions they grant. 

For the Saad Ahsan Passport Index, visa free, qualifying visa on arrival and ETA destinations are included in Pakistan's mobility score. But very importantly none of these types of access guarantee entry into the country. Final decisions remain subject to the destination country’s immigration authorities. 

How to  Improve Pakistan Passport Ranking?

Pakistan’s passport ranking can be improved if more destinations allow Pakistani citizens to travel without requiring a prior visa. Furthermore, expanding visa free agreements, broader visa on arrival and ETA access, and stronger international travel cooperation can also improve the ranking of a Pakistani passport. 

What Does Pakistan’s Passport Ranking Mean for Business Owners and Frequent Travellers?

For Pakistani business owners and frequent travellers, passport ranking means a lot as their travel convenience depends on the Pakistan passport mobility score. These individuals need to travel abroad for business trips, meetings or conferences. 

If multiple destinations are involved for trips and they have limited time then their work may face delays which may affect their business growth. Visa-free access to key destinations provides them ease of travel and helps them manage their international work easily. 

Hence, for individuals with long-term international interests, residency and citizenship planning may provide additional options and global mobility. Best options include Caribbean citizenship by investment programs and European residency by investment programs such as:

Caribbean Citizenship By Investment Programs

• Dominica citizenship by investment program

• Grenada citizenship by investment program

• St Lucia citizenship by investment program

• Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program

• St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program

European Residency By Investment Programs

• Portugal golden visa

• Greece golden visa

• Hungary golden visa

• Malta permanent residence program

• Latvia golden visa

Benefits of Second Citizenship for Pakistanis

For Pakistani citizens, a second citizenship provides numerous advantages such as dual citizenship opportunity which allows eligible individuals to secure citizenship of another country with great mobility score without renouncing their current citizenship.

Moreover, they benefit from the high mobility score of other countries which provides them global mobility and business expansion opportunities. Many citizenship programs offer family inclusion benefits which means they can include their family members in the application and provide them with better healthcare and education opportunities.

Pakistan Passport Ranking vs Citizenship Quality

Pakistan’s passport ranking measures international travel mobility, not the overall value of Pakistani passport or quality of Pakistani citizenship. A passport’s mobility score mainly affects how many destinations its holders can access without obtaining a traditional visa in advance. 

Citizenship however, includes a wider set of legal rights and responsibilities including nationality protections, residence and voting rights, and other rights established under domestic laws. 

For instance, a passport offering access to many destinations does not grant rights to live, work, and run a business in the country. Hence, passport rankings are useful when comparing international travel convenience but it should not be the only metric considered while choosing a country for citizenship. 

Conclusion

Pakistan passport ranking 2026 shows Pakistan's position at 103rd place as per the Saad Ahsan Residency and Citizenship Passport Index. The country provides access to 29 destinations without requiring a traditional visa in advance. 

The access types include visa free, visa on arrival, and ETA. Although Pakistan's passport ranking has changed multiple times in 2026, its travel mobility remains limited to few countries compared to other countries. 

For individuals considering greater international mobility, understanding available residency and citizenship pathways is very important for ease of travel and managing international business operations smoothly. 

Saad Ahsan Residency and Citizenship provides professional guidance to individuals on international residency and citizenship programs. We help eligible individuals and families explore opportunities aligned with their global mobility objectives.