Pakistani passport holders gain access to 29 destinations as August 2026 update reveals visa options

Pakistani passport holders gain access to 29 destinations as August 2026 update reveals visa options

Pakistani passport holders planning summer getaways or winter holidays have access to 29 destinations through visa-free entry, visa on arrival and electronic travel authorisation schemes, according to the latest August 2026 update from the Henley Passport Index.

The index, which ranks 199 passports globally using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), places Pakistan at 101st position. This represents a recovery from the country's lowest ranking of 108th in 2023, though it remains below the 95th position held in 2020.

For context, Singapore currently tops the global rankings with visa-free access to 195 destinations, while Afghanistan occupies the bottom position with access to only 26 destinations. The average passport now provides access to 108 destinations, compared with 58 when the index launched in 2006.

Recent changes to visa access

The August update reflects the removal of Cape Verde from Pakistan's visa-on-arrival list. The island nation transitioned to a mandatory e-visa system in 2026, requiring Pakistani nationals and most other nationalities to obtain advance authorisation rather than visas at the airport.

The current breakdown for Pakistani passport holders includes 11 visa-free destinations, 15 offering visas on arrival and three requiring electronic travel authorisation before departure. Cape Verde's removal leaves the total at 29 destinations under these categories.

Understanding visa categories

Visa-free access allows travellers to enter without obtaining advance permission, though entry conditions must still be met. Visa on arrival is issued after reaching the destination, while electronic travel authorisation requires online approval before travel but differs from traditional visas. E-visas, available for many additional countries, require formal application and approval before departure.

Visa-free destinations

Pakistani nationals can travel without advance visas to:

• Barbados
• Cook Islands
• Dominica
• Haiti
• Micronesia
• Montserrat
• Rwanda
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• The Gambia
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Vanuatu

Visa-on-arrival locations

Fifteen destinations offer visas on arrival:

• Burundi
• Cambodia
• Comoros Islands
• Djibouti
• Guinea-Bissau
• Madagascar
• Maldives
• Nepal
• Niue
• Palau Islands
• Samoa
• Senegal
• Sierra Leone
• Timor-Leste
• Tuvalu

The Maldives implemented a tourism tax of $50 per person in January 2026, payable at the airport in addition to the free 30-day visa on arrival. Nepal's visa-on-arrival costs between $30 and $125 depending on duration, payable in foreign currency, with processing delays reported during peak tourist seasons.

Electronic travel authorisation options

Three destinations require ETA before travel: Kenya, Seychelles and Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka reinstated its ETA programme in late 2025 after a temporary suspension, implementing enhanced screening procedures and a processing fee of approximately $50.

E-visa destinations expand travel options

Pakistani passport holders can access additional countries through e-visa systems, though these require advance application and approval. The UAE issued over 850,000 visas to Pakistani nationals in 2025, with e-visa processing typically completed within 48 to 72 hours, making Pakistan one of the top source markets for UAE tourism and business travel.

Turkey processed over 250,000 e-visa applications from Pakistani nationals in 2025, representing a 35 per cent increase from 2024, with approval rates exceeding 92 per cent. The country has become one of the fastest-growing travel destinations for Pakistani tourists.

Asian e-visa options

Bahrain, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Oman, Qatar, Singapore, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, the UAE, Vietnam, Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan.

European destinations

Albania, Georgia and Moldova offer e-visas, subject to current eligibility requirements.

African e-visa destinations

Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Americas and Caribbean

Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, St Kitts and Nevis, Suriname and The Bahamas.

Essential travel requirements

Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access does not guarantee entry. Immigration officers may request additional documentation. Travellers should verify:

• Passport validity requirements
• Maximum permitted stays
• Return or onward ticket requirements
• Accommodation details
• Proof of funds
• Travel insurance
• Health or vaccination requirements
• Visa-on-arrival fees and procedures
• ETA or e-visa approval timelines

The significance of accessible visa options extends beyond tourism. Approximately 9.2 million Pakistani nationals live abroad as of 2026, with the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the UK hosting the largest diaspora communities, making visa access crucial for family visits and business travel.

For e-visa destinations, travellers should apply early enough to allow for processing delays, particularly when planning winter holidays. Requirements, processing times and fees should be confirmed with relevant immigration authorities before making travel arrangements.