Pakistani passport holders can travel to 29 destinations without a traditional visa: Henley Index

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani citizens can travel to 29 destinations without obtaining a traditional visa in advance, through visa-free entry, visa on arrival, or electronic travel authorisation (ETA), according to the latest Henley Passport Index.

The index lists 11 destinations offering visa-free access to Pakistani passport holders, 15 where visas can be obtained on arrival and three requiring an ETA.

Pakistan has also signed new visa exemption agreements with Oman and Saudi Arabia. However, these arrangements apply to holders of specific official passports and do not provide a general visa exemption for ordinary Pakistani passport holders. Qatar, meanwhile, offers eligible Pakistani travellers a 30-day tourist visa on arrival, subject to certain conditions.

Qatar Offers 30-Day Visa on Arrival
Pakistani citizens can obtain a 30-day tourist visa on arrival at Hamad International Airport in Doha, provided they meet the relevant requirements.

As per guidance issued by the Pakistan Embassy in Qatar, travellers must arrange accommodation through Qatar’s official hotel booking platform, Discover Qatar. They are also required to purchase health insurance for at least one month for 50 Qatari riyals.

Passengers should carry the insurance receipt and certificate during their journey. On arrival at Doha Airport, they must have their documents checked at the Discover Qatar desk before proceeding to immigration.

The permitted stay is up to 30 days, subject to hotel booking and other entry requirements. Travellers are advised to confirm the latest conditions with Qatari authorities or their airline before departure.

Oman Visa Exemption Limited to Official Passport Holders
Pakistan and Oman signed a mutual visa exemption agreement on October 14, 2026.

Under the agreement, holders of diplomatic, special, service and official passports from both countries can travel without obtaining a visa in advance.

The arrangement does not cover ordinary Pakistani passport holders travelling to Oman for tourism or holidays. They must continue to follow the country’s existing visa and entry requirements.

Saudi Arabia Agreement Also Excludes Ordinary Passports
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a visa exemption agreement on September 22, 2026, covering holders of diplomatic and special passports.

The agreement was concluded in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. It aims to facilitate short-term travel and promote cooperation between the two countries.

However, ordinary Pakistani passport holders have not been granted a general visa exemption under the arrangement.

Why Do Passport Rankings Differ?
The Henley Passport Index and Passport Index report different figures for Pakistani passport holders because they use separate methodologies to assess travel access.

According to Henley, Pakistan ranks 103rd globally, with access to 29 destinations without obtaining a traditional visa in advance. These include 11 visa-free destinations, 15 offering visas on arrival and three requiring an ETA.

The Passport Index, meanwhile, gives Pakistan a passport power rank of 93, an individual power rank of 195 and a mobility score of 43. Its figures show that Pakistani citizens can travel visa-free to nine destinations, obtain visas on arrival in 30 and use ETA facilities for four destinations. A prior visa is required for 155 countries.

The mobility score also counts destinations accessible through visa-free entry, visa on arrival or ETA. The figures from the two indices should therefore be considered separately, not combined into a single list.

Nine Visa-Free Destinations Listed by Passport Index
As per Passport Index, Pakistani passport holders can travel without obtaining a visa in advance to the following nine destinations:

No. Country
1 Barbados
2 Dominica
3 The Gambia
4 Haiti
5 Micronesia
6 Rwanda
7 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
8 Trinidad and Tobago
9 Vanuatu
The index also lists Kenya, Sri Lanka, Seychelles and Côte d’Ivoire as destinations where Pakistani travellers can use electronic travel authorisation.

An ETA is an online travel permission that must be obtained before departure. It differs from visa-free entry because travellers need approval from the relevant authorities before beginning their journey.

11 Visa-Free Destinations Listed by Henley
The Henley Passport Index lists the following 11 destinations as visa-free for Pakistani passport holders:

No. Destination
1 Barbados
2 Cook Islands
3 Dominica
4 Haiti
5 Micronesia
6 Montserrat
7 Rwanda
8 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
9 The Gambia
10 Trinidad and Tobago
11 Vanuatu
These destinations are located across the Caribbean, Africa and the Pacific region. Travellers must still meet each destination’s entry requirements, including passport validity and any applicable immigration conditions.

15 Destinations Offering Visa on Arrival
According to Henley, Pakistani citizens can obtain a visa on arrival in the following 15 destinations:

No. Country
1 Burundi
2 Cambodia
3 Comoros
4 Djibouti
5 Guinea-Bissau
6 Madagascar
7 Maldives
8 Nepal
9 Niue
10 Palau
11 Samoa
12 Senegal
13 Sierra Leone
14 Timor-Leste
15 Tuval
Under this facility, travellers receive their visa upon arrival at the relevant airport or designated border crossing. Visa fees, permitted length of stay and required documents vary by destination.

Three Destinations Requiring Electronic Travel Authorisation
Henley lists three destinations where Pakistani travellers must obtain an ETA before departure:

Kenya
Seychelles
Sri Lanka
Travellers need to submit an online application and secure approval before travelling. An ETA is not equivalent to visa-free entry or a visa issued on arrival.

Difference Between Visa-Free Entry, Visa on Arrival and ETA
Visa-free entry means travellers do not need to obtain a visa before departure, although they must still comply with the destination country’s immigration rules.

A visa on arrival is issued after a traveller reaches the destination, usually at an airport or designated border point. Some countries require a fee payment and supporting documents.

An ETA is an electronic travel authorisation that must be secured online before departure. It differs from an e-visa, a digital visa issued after the relevant authorities review and approve an online application.

What Travellers Should Check Before Departure
Pakistani travellers should confirm their passport validity and the permitted duration of stay before booking a trip. They should also check whether they need a return or onward ticket, hotel reservation, proof of sufficient funds, travel insurance or health-related documents.

For destinations offering visas on arrival, travellers should verify the applicable fee and required paperwork. Those travelling under an ETA or e-visa arrangement must obtain the necessary approval before departure.

Visa policies can change, and inclusion on a visa-free or visa-on-arrival list does not guarantee admission. Travellers should therefore check the latest requirements through the destination country’s official immigration website, embassy or consulate before booking flights and accommodation.