Islamabad, June 27, 2025: The Pakistani passport now allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 32 countries, according to the Henley Passport Index 2025. This marks a minor improvement as Pakistan climbs to the 100th position out of 199 countries ranked globally.
The development follows a recent agreement between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), easing travel rules for official and diplomatic passport holders. Under the MoU signed on Wednesday, Pakistani diplomats will no longer need a visa to enter the UAE, streamlining travel for government officials.
An official from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated the agreement would enhance bilateral cooperation and simplify travel for diplomatic missions.
Which Countries Are Now Accessible?
As per Henley’s latest update, Pakistani citizens can now enter the following 32 countries without a pre-approved visa. These include:
- Africa & Indian Ocean: Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Madagascar, Mozambique, Burundi, Comoro Islands, Sierra Leone, Somalia
- South & Southeast Asia: Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Timor-Leste
- Caribbean: Dominica, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Montserrat
- Pacific Islands: Micronesia, Palau Islands, Samoa, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Niue, Cook Islands
- Others: Qatar, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Djibouti
Though most are not major tourist hotspots, officials see the increase as a positive sign of growing travel mobility for Pakistani passport holders.
Visa Classifications Explained
- Visa-free: No visa required prior to travel
- Visa on arrival: Issued at the airport
- E-visa: Apply online before departure
- ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization): Pre-entry approval but not a full visa
Global Comparison
Despite the new additions, the Pakistani passport still ranks among the weakest in South Asia. In contrast:
- India: 60+ visa-free countries
- Bangladesh: Around 42 destinations
- Singapore: Tops the chart with access to 193 destinations
- Japan, South Korea: 190 countries each
- Germany, France, Spain: 189 countries
While challenges remain, the new visa-free access signals incremental progress in Pakistan’s global mobility.
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