For the fourth consecutive year, the Pakistani passport has been ranked as the fourth worst in the Henley Passport Index. The index, which ranks 199 passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa, places Pakistan at a lowly position, just ahead of Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.

According to a report by Dawn newspaper, the latest rankings released on Tuesday show that Pakistan’s passport, tied with Yemen at 100th place, allows visa-free access to 33 countries. In comparison, Iraq permits entry to 31 countries, Syria to 28, and Afghanistan to just 26 countries. The Afghan passport, noted for being the weakest globally, has lost access to one more country in the past six months, making it the lowest-ranking passport in 19 years.

At the top of the index is Singapore, with its passport granting visa-free access to 195 destinations, setting a new record. Germany, Italy, Japan, France, and Spain follow closely, each allowing access to 192 destinations. Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden are ranked third, providing access to 191 destinations.

The United Kingdom shares the fourth position with Belgium, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland, offering visa-free access to 190 destinations. The United States ranks eighth, with its passport allowing entry to 186 countries.

The UAE has made a notable entry into the top 10 for the first time, advancing to the ninth position from 62nd place. The UAE passport now offers visa-free access to 185 countries, reflecting a significant improvement since the index’s inception in 2006. This rise is attributed to the UAE government’s strategic efforts to position the country as a global hub for business, tourism, and investment.

Dr. Jörg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, commented on the UAE’s rapid advancement in the index, highlighting it as a result of deliberate and robust efforts by the Emirati government. He noted that research consistently shows a strong correlation between a country’s visa-free score and its economic prosperity, with higher visa-free scores correlating with greater GDP per capita, increased foreign direct investment, and stronger international trade relations.