World’s Most Powerful Passports Ranked — Where Does Pakistan Stand?

Published On: January 22, 2026

The list of the world’s most powerful passports for the first half of 2026 has been released, and once again, Pakistan is ranked among the countries with the weakest passports globally.

According to the Henley Passport Index (January–June 2026), which ranks passports based on visa-free or visa-on-arrival access, an Asian country has secured the top position.

World’s Most Powerful Passports (2026)

1. Singapore
Singapore holds the title of the world’s most powerful passport. Singaporean passport holders can travel visa-free to 192 countries.

2. Japan & South Korea
Japan and South Korea share the second position, with visa-free access to 188 countries.

3. Denmark, Luxembourg, Sweden, Spain & Switzerland
These European countries jointly rank third, offering visa-free access to 186 countries.

4. Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Finland & Greece
These countries share the fourth spot, with access to 185 countries without a visa.

5. UAE, Portugal, Hungary, Slovakia & Slovenia
These passports rank fifth, allowing visa-free entry to 184 countries.

Weakest Passports in the World

Pakistan continues to struggle in global passport rankings.

Pakistan ranks 98th in the world
Pakistani passport holders can travel visa-free to only 31 countries

Pakistan is now considered the fourth weakest passport globally.

Countries Ranked Below Pakistan

Yemen (98th – joint)
Iraq (99th)
Syria (100th)
Afghanistan (101st – weakest passport)

Other Regional Rankings

India: 80th
Bangladesh: 84th
China: 59th
Iran: 92nd
Saudi Arabia: 54th

Conclusion

The 2026 passport rankings highlight a growing gap in global travel freedom. While Asian and European countries dominate the top positions, Pakistan remains near the bottom due to limited visa-free access.

Passport strength reflects not just travel convenience, but also diplomatic relations, international trust, and global mobility. Without improvements in these areas, Pakistan’s ranking is unlikely to improve in the near future.