Pakistani Passport Ranking in 2025: Visa-Free, Visa-on-Arrival, and e-Visa Countries You Can Visit

How Strong Is the Pakistani Passport in 2025?

The strength of a passport is measured by the number of countries its holder can enter without needing a visa in advance. In 2025, Pakistani passport holders enjoy a modest level of travel freedom, but there are improvements worth noting.

According to the Henley Passport Index (Q2 2025), Pakistan is currently ranked 100th, granting its citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 32 destinations. This shows progress from its 113th rank in 2021.

Another index, the Passport Index, lists Pakistan as 97th, with access to 46 countries. Meanwhile, the VisaGuide Passport Index ranks Pakistan much lower at 197th out of 199, reflecting just 32 countries offering visa-free or on-arrival access. Rankings vary due to differences in methodology.

Key takeaways:

• Pakistan ranks between 97th–103rd globally in 2025.
• Pakistani passport holders can visit 32–46 destinations without a traditional visa.
• This rank is near the bottom globally but shows gradual improvement.

Understanding Visa-Free, Visa‑on‑Arrival, and e‑Visa Access

What Counts as Visa-Free?

Henley defines visa-free or visa-on-arrival/eTA access as requiring no formal visa before traveling, simply present your passport and entry is granted. This is scored equally, giving each destination a “1” in the index.

Categories of Access for Pakistani Passports

Based on sources like IATA and embassy data (Wikipedia April 2025):

• Visa-free only: ~11–13 countries
• Visa-on-arrival (landing visa): ~19 countries
• e‑Visa (pre-arrival, online): ~35 countries
• Traditional visa (embassy/consulate): ~155 countries

Total visa-free + VOA destinations ≈ 32, matching Henley’s number. Including e‑Visa brings the total reach to roughly 67 countries.

Countries Accessible to Pakistani Passport Holders

Here’s a breakdown of visa access by category:

Pure Visa-Free (No Visa in Advance)

Here is the latest list of pure visa-free countries (no visa in advance, no e‑visa, no visa‑on‑arrival) for Pakistani passport holders as of 2025, according to the most current resources like Henley Passport Index, Wikipedia, and VisaGuide (mid‑2025). These countries allow entry without any visa at all, just show your valid Pakistani passport and meet basic requirements (like onward ticket, proof of funds, etc.):

• Barbados, stay up to 90 days
• Cook Islands, short stays allowed
• Dominica, up to 180 days (6 months)
• Gambia, stays up to 90 days
• Haiti, up to 90 days
• Micronesia, up to 30 days
• Montserrat, duration varies
• Rwanda, no visa needed, some ask for online registration
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, up to 30 days
• Trinidad and Tobago, up to 90 days
• Vanuatu, usually up to 30 days

So there are about 11 countries offering true visa-free access to Pakistani citizens in 2025.

These destinations usually just check that:

• Your passport is valid (often 6 months minimum left)
• You have proof of onward travel
• You can show enough money for your stay.

For the most reliable and updated information, always double‑check with the embassy or official immigration site of the destination country before you travel, because visa policies can change anytime.

Visa-on-Arrival

Here is the most up-to-date list of Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) countries for Pakistani passport holders, based on mid-2025 data from multiple trusted sources. These countries allow Pakistani travelers to obtain a visa upon arrival, no advance embassy appointment or visa needed:

• Burundi, 30 days
• Cambodia, 30 days
• Cape Verde, VOA with pre-arrival ETA in some cases
• Comoros, 45 days
• Djibouti (VOA or e‑Visa)
• Guinea‑Bissau, VOA
• Madagascar, VOA or e‑Visa
• Maldives, 30 days
• Mozambique, VOA
• Nepal, VOA
• Niue, 30 days
• Palau, VOA
• Qatar, VOA with conditions (hotel booking etc.)
• Samoa, 60 or 90 days
• Senegal, VOA (with invitation letter pre-approval)
• Seychelles, 3 months Visitor’s Permit on arrival
• Sierra Leone, VOA (USD 80 fee)
• Timor‑Leste, 30 days
• Tuvalu, 30 days (USD 100 permit fee)

Notes & Tips

• Fees, duration, and entry rules may differ slightly (e.g. Sierra Leone charges USD 80 on arrival, Qatar requires hotel confirmations).
• Some countries offer either VOA or e‑Visa, so online applications are optional depending on your preference (e.g., Djibouti, Madagascar).
• Burundi, Cambodia, Maldives, Nepal, Palau, Samoa, Timor‑Leste, Tuvalu are among the most traveler-friendly with simple VOA rules.
• Always confirm conditions, such as minimum passport validity, proof of funds, onward ticket—via embassy or official immigration sites before travel.

e‑Visa (Online Pre-approval)

Roughly 35 countries offer Pakistani citizens electronic visas:

Examples include Albania, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Georgia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Oman, Syria, Turkey, Vietnam, plus several African nations.

Summary Table: Access Levels for 2025

Access Type	Approx. Count	Typical Conditions
Visa‑free	11–13	Show passport, no visa needed
Visa‑on‑Arrival	~19	Fee, funds, onward ticket
e‑Visa	~35	Apply online before travel
Visa Required	~155	Embassy/consulate required
Total Easy Access	~32	Visa-free + On-arrival (indexed)
Total Basic Access	~67	Includes e‑Visa destinations

Why the Rankings Matter

The ranking of a passport is a reflection of a country’s diplomatic ties and global standing. Pakistan’s improved position, now around 100th, shows that its international relations are slowly getting stronger.

For travelers, a higher ranking means more visa-free and visa-on-arrival options, which makes trips not only easier but also more affordable.

While Pakistan still lags far behind the world’s strongest passports, like Singapore, Japan, and EU countries that offer access to over 190 destinations, it fares better than some, such as Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, whose citizens can visit only about 25–30 countries without major restrictions.

Beyond convenience, stronger passport rankings also bring strategic value. Easier visa rules can help promote tourism, support students and professionals going abroad, attract business opportunities, and strengthen the connection with the Pakistani diaspora worldwide.

Tips for Travelers: How to Use This Information

1. Before you book, check visa rules: Confirm visa-free days, passport validity, and conditions with the embassy or IATA Timatic.
2. Use VOA or e‑Visa where possible: Countries like Cambodia, Maldives, Turkey, and Georgia often allow simple online applications.
3. Prepare required documents: You may need proof of funds, health insurance, return tickets, or hotel bookings.
4. Be clear on entry limits: For example, Dominica allows up to 180 days; Micronesia only 30.
5. Stay updated: Visa policies change frequently, consult official foreign ministry or IATA sources before traveling.
6. Leverage third-country visas: Holding USA, UK, Schengen, or GCC visas can unlock easier access in some countries (e.g. Belarus, Morocco, Azerbaijan).

What Lies Ahead? Possibilities for Pakistan

One way Pakistan can improve its passport ranking is by negotiating more visa waiver deals, especially with countries in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. These agreements would give Pakistanis easier access to more destinations and boost global mobility.

Another important step is strengthening diplomacy. Building better relationships with other nations often leads to friendlier visa policies. High-level visits, trade agreements, and cultural exchanges can also help improve Pakistan’s image and open more travel opportunities.

Finally, embracing digital travel systems like e‑visa agreements can make travel simpler for Pakistanis, even if full visa-free access takes longer. By focusing on diplomacy, smart agreements, and modern travel solutions, Pakistan has good chances to improve its passport ranking in the years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between VOA and e‑Visa?

• VOA (Visa-on-Arrival): Get visa at entry point; minimal documents and fee.
• e‑Visa: Apply online before travel and receive pre-approved visa to print.

Do e‑Visas work for everyone?

Yes, for most ordinary passport holders. Some countries may require additional proof like health certificates or travel insurance.

Are rankings the same across all indexes?

No. They differ because of definitions and what counts as visa-free. For example, Henley counts eTA and VOA as visa-free, while VisaGuide uses stricter definitions.

The Bottom Line

In 2025, the Pakistani passport is ranked ~100th globally. From 113th in 2021, it improved to rank 100, now offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 32 countries. When e-Visas are included, Pakistani citizens can travel to around 67 countries under relaxed rules.

Though the passport remains in the lower tier globally, gradual improvements and smarter travel strategies can help Pakistani travelers get more out of it. By making savvy use of VOA and e‑Visa opportunities, and staying informed about changes, Pakistanis can travel with greater ease, even without full visa freedom.

Whether you’re planning a holiday, business trip, or study abroad, take time to research carefully and prepare accordingly. A little extra effort goes a long way, and the Pakistani passport is gaining strength year by year.