By Hafiz Rahat Usama 
For the fifth consecutive year, the Pakistani passport has been ranked among the world’s weakest, securing the 103rd position in the Henley Passport Index’s 2025 Global Ranking. This placement underscores the limited international mobility afforded to its citizens. The index, compiled by a UK-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm, provides a definitive ranking of 199 passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. The data for this influential index is sourced from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), ensuring accuracy and reliability. According to the latest findings, Pakistani passport holders can travel to just 31 destinations worldwide without needing to secure a visa in advance.
A Comparative Look at Regional and Global Standings
Pakistan’s position on the global stage is shared with Yemen, and it sits just above Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, which holds the lowest rank. The performance of Pakistan’s regional neighbors provides a stark contrast. China leads the region, ranked 64th globally with its citizens enjoying visa-free access to 82 destinations. Iran follows at the 85th position with access to 41 countries, while India holds the 98th spot, providing its passport holders with visa-free travel to 57 destinations. This regional comparison highlights a significant gap in passport power and global access for Pakistani citizens compared to nearby nations.
The Global Leaders and Notable Shifts
At the apex of the 2025 index, Asian nations continue to dominate. Singapore retains its top position, offering its citizens unparalleled access to 193 destinations without a visa. It is closely followed by South Korea in second place with access to 190 destinations, and Japan in third with access to 189. European nations collectively hold the fourth and fifth positions, demonstrating their continued strong global standing. In a significant development, the United States has fallen out of the top ten most powerful passports for the first time in the index’s two-decade history, now sharing the 12th position with Malaysia and providing access to 180 destinations.
China’s Remarkable Ascent in Passport Power
A key narrative from the latest data is the continued and remarkable ascent of China. Over the past decade, China has demonstrated the most substantial improvement of any major nation, climbing from 94th place in 2015 to 64th in 2025—a jump of 30 positions. During this period, it expanded its visa-free access by 37 destinations. This growth in passport strength mirrors the country’s increasing global economic and diplomatic influence. Further evidence of this opening up is seen on the Henley Openness Index, where Beijing now offers visa-free entry to citizens from 76 different countries.