ISLAMABAD: Pakistani passport holders have several options for international travel without securing a traditional visa in advance, although access to most countries remains subject to visa requirements, according to the Passport Index 2026 Pakistan Passport Dashboard.
The dashboard lists nine destinations offering visa-free entry to Pakistani citizens, 29 providing visa-on-arrival facilities and four falling under the electronic travel authorisation (eTA) category. Meanwhile, 156 destinations are classified as requiring a visa. Pakistan’s passport holds the 97th position in the index, with a mobility score of 42.
The figures provide an overview of the travel opportunities available to Pakistani citizens in 2026. However, visa-free access, visa-on-arrival arrangements and electronic authorisation have different requirements, making it important for travellers to understand the rules before planning an international trip.
Nine Destinations Offering Visa-Free Entry
According to the Passport Index dashboard, Pakistani ordinary passport holders can visit the following nine destinations without obtaining a conventional visa beforehand:
- Barbados: Known for its Caribbean beaches and coastal attractions.
- Dominica: An island nation recognised for its rainforests, mountains and natural scenery.
- The Gambia: A West African country offering coastal tourism and wildlife experiences.
- Haiti: A Caribbean destination with a rich cultural and historical background.
- Micronesia: A Pacific island country known for its tropical landscapes and marine life.
- Rwanda: An East African country famous for its national parks and mountain gorilla conservation.
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: A Caribbean destination popular for its islands, beaches and sailing opportunities.
- Trinidad and Tobago: Known for its cultural celebrations, biodiversity and Caribbean coastline.
- Vanuatu: A South Pacific nation featuring volcanic landscapes, beaches and diving locations.
Visa-free access generally allows eligible travellers to enter for permitted short stays without obtaining a traditional visa in advance. However, entry is not guaranteed, and visitors may still need to provide supporting documents or meet passport-validity and immigration requirements.
Countries Where Pakistanis Can Obtain a Visa on Arrival
The dashboard identifies 29 destinations under the visa-on-arrival category. This option can allow eligible Pakistani travellers to obtain their visa at an authorised airport or border crossing instead of applying through an embassy before departure.
Examples of destinations associated with visa-on-arrival access include:
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Comoros
- Djibouti
- Guinea-Bissau
- Madagascar
- Maldives
- Nepal
- Palau
- Samoa
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Timor-Leste
- Tuvalu
The precise entry arrangement varies by country. Some destinations may require an electronic visa or pre-travel registration, while others issue the visa upon arrival. Travellers should verify the specific conditions for their destination rather than relying solely on the general category.
Requirements can include visa fees, return tickets, accommodation details, proof of sufficient funds and other supporting documents.
Electronic Travel Authorisation Requirements
Some destinations require an electronic travel authorisation before a visitor can board a flight. Unlike visa-free entry, this process may involve submitting an online application and receiving approval before departure.
The Passport Index dashboard lists four destinations under the eTA category for Pakistani passport holders. Kenya and Sri Lanka have electronic travel authorisation or online travel approval arrangements, while Seychelles also operates an electronic travel authorisation or visitor-registration process. Travellers should consult the dashboard and relevant government websites to confirm the exact classification and requirements for each destination.
An eTA is not necessarily a visa, but it can still be a mandatory condition for travel. Applicants should check processing times, eligibility rules and any applicable charges before making bookings.
Countries Where Pakistani Citizens Generally Need a Visa
Despite the availability of visa-free and simplified entry options, the Passport Index dashboard lists 156 destinations in its visa-required category.
These include numerous popular destinations across Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and Oceania.
Examples include:
- Europe: United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway and Austria.
- North America: United States and Canada.
- Asia: China, India, Japan, South Korea, Iran, Bangladesh, Kuwait and Türkiye.
- Oceania: Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.
- Africa: Algeria, Ghana, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco and Tunisia.
- South America and the Caribbean: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Jamaica, Mexico and Uruguay.
This is a selection of countries rather than the complete list of 156 destinations. Their requirements can vary according to nationality, passport type, purpose of travel and the traveller’s individual circumstances.
Being listed as visa-required does not mean that Pakistani citizens are banned from visiting these countries. Instead, travellers generally need to obtain the appropriate visa or permission before departure. Some destinations offer online visa applications, although an electronic visa still differs from visa-free entry.
Pakistan’s Passport Ranking in 2026
The Passport Index places Pakistan’s passport at 97th position in its 2026 ranking, with a mobility score of 42. The index evaluates passport access according to its own methodology and classifications.
The mobility score should not be interpreted as the number of countries Pakistanis can enter without any paperwork. It incorporates different travel-access categories, including visa-free entry and other simplified arrangements.
Rankings published by different organisations may also differ because they use separate methodologies and criteria. Consequently, Pakistan’s position on the Passport Index should not be treated as directly equivalent to its ranking in other passport indexes.
What Travellers Should Know Before Departure
Pakistani citizens planning international trips should check the latest entry rules through the destination country’s official immigration authority or embassy before purchasing tickets.
Travellers should confirm passport-validity requirements, the maximum permitted stay, visa or authorisation fees, return-ticket conditions, accommodation arrangements and proof of sufficient funds. Transit requirements should also be checked when a journey involves connecting flights through another country.
Furthermore, visa-free access or a short-stay visa does not automatically permit employment, long-term residence or every type of business activity. The permitted purpose of travel must match the relevant entry conditions.
Conclusion
The Passport Index 2026 dashboard highlights nine destinations offering visa-free entry to Pakistani passport holders, alongside 29 destinations with visa-on-arrival facilities and four under the electronic travel authorisation category. However, 156 destinations remain classified as requiring a visa.
The figures illustrate the range of international travel options available to Pakistanis while highlighting the restrictions that continue to apply across much of the world. Checking official entry requirements before departure remains essential, as immigration policies and travel authorisations can change.
