Pakistan’s passport has been ranked 102nd in the latest Henley Passport Index for October 2024, marking it as the fourth worst in the world. Holders of a Pakistani passport can access only 40 destinations without a visa, highlighting the significant restrictions faced by its citizens due to various political and diplomatic issues.
In contrast, Singapore remains at the top of the index, reclaiming its title as the world’s most powerful passport. Singaporean passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to an impressive 195 destinations out of 227 globally, reflecting the strength of the country’s diplomatic ties and commitment to enhancing travel freedom.
Following Singapore, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain share the second position, allowing access to 194 destinations without a visa. This underscores the critical role of robust diplomatic relationships in expanding travel opportunities.
Malaysia has made notable progress, climbing to 11th place globally, making it the second most powerful passport in Southeast Asia after Singapore. Malaysian passport holders can now visit 183 destinations visa-free, showcasing the effectiveness of the country’s international agreements to enhance travel freedom.
The Henley Passport Index assesses global passports based on the number of destinations accessible without prior visa requirements. The index utilizes exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and evaluates 199 different passports against 227 travel destinations.
Noteworthy movements in the index include Denmark, which has risen to third place after securing visa-free access to China, sharing the position with Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden—each enjoying visa-free entry to 191 destinations. The United Kingdom has also improved its standing, now ranking fourth with access to 190 destinations, reflecting efforts to strengthen international relations post-Brexit.
Additionally, Argentina and Hong Kong have each gained one position, indicating a broader trend toward increased openness and enhanced mobility. As more nations recognize the economic and cultural benefits of facilitating easier travel, the Henley Passport Index suggests a positive shift toward greater visa-free access.
Dominic Volek, head of private clients at Henley & Partners, remarked, “The trend towards increased openness continues with more passports gaining access than losing it,” reinforcing the growing recognition of accessible travel as a driver for economic growth and cross-cultural exchange.
