Chapter 01
How strong is the Pakistani passport in 2026?
The Pakistani passport is among the weakest in the world in 2026. The Henley Passport Index for July 2026 ranked Pakistan 101st, with access to 29 destinations without a prior visa, according to Aaj News (24 July 2026). Other outlets reported the same edition as 100th with 30 destinations, so the exact figure depends on the report. Only a handful of passports rank lower.
"Visa-free" in these indexes includes visa on arrival and electronic travel authorisations. For ordinary Pakistani passports, almost every "easy" country still asks you to fill in something online or pay at the airport. That is why the lists below separate the routes.
Chapter 02
Easiest destinations for Pakistanis: verified list (13 October 2026)
We list a country only where we could confirm the rule on an official government or tourism-board site. Countries we could not confirm are listed separately at the end.
Free or visa on arrival
| Country | What Pakistanis get | Stay | Official fee | Before you go | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | Free tourist ETA (Pakistan is one of 40 countries in the scheme from 25 May 2026) | 30 days, double entry | Free | Apply for the ETA online at eta.gov.lk | Sri Lanka ETA |
| Nepal | Gratis visa on arrival for SAARC citizens (except Afghanistan) | Up to 30 days on the first visit in a visa year | Free (later visits: USD 30 / 15 days, USD 50 / 30 days, USD 125 / 90 days) | Passport and arrival form | Nepal Immigration |
| Maldives | Tourist visa on arrival for all nationalities | Not stated on the official page | No visa fee stated | IMUGA traveller declaration within 96 hours before arrival; return ticket, paid booking, funds | Maldives Immigration |
| Rwanda | Visa on arrival for all nationalities; fee waived for Commonwealth citizens, which includes Pakistan | 30 days | Free for Pakistanis | Passport, return plans | Rwanda DGIE |
| Qatar | Entry on arrival only with a hotel booked through Discover Qatar, or a Hayya visa applied for in advance | Check at booking | Check at booking | Discover Qatar hotel booking or Hayya application | Visit Qatar |
Electronic visa or authorisation (apply online before you fly)
| Country | Route for Pakistanis | Official fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azerbaijan | ASAN e-visa at evisa.gov.az, 30-day stay | USD 20 standard (3 working days), USD 50 urgent | ASAN e-visa |
| Kenya | eTA at etakenya.go.ke | From USD 30 | Kenya eTA |
| Indonesia | e-visa at evisa.imigrasi.go.id (no visa on arrival found for Pakistan) | IDR 2,000,000 for the 60-day visit e-visa | Indonesia e-Visa FAQ |
| Thailand | Thai e-Visa at thaievisa.go.th (no exemption or visa on arrival for Pakistan) | See our Thailand visa fee page | Thai e-Visa |
| Malaysia | eVISA at malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my | See our Malaysia visa page | Malaysia eVISA |
| Türkiye | e-visa only if you hold a valid Schengen, US, UK or Ireland visa or residence permit; otherwise a sticker visa | See our Türkiye visa page | Turkish Embassy Islamabad |
Living in the UAE or Saudi Arabia? Your residence permit opens more options, including visa-free Armenia (to July 2027) and Georgia, and an airport visa for Azerbaijan. See visit visas for Pakistanis living in the UAE or Saudi Arabia.
Chapter 03
Our 18 destinations compared: route, fee and difficulty
The table below compares the 18 countries we handle. "Difficulty" is our own assessment of how much evidence the authority usually expects and how long the process takes. It is not an official rating, and it is not an approval rate.
| Destination | Route for Pakistani passport holders | Official fee (as of 13 Oct 2026) | Typical difficulty (our view) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | Free ETA online | Free (eta.gov.lk) | Easy |
| Azerbaijan | ASAN e-visa | USD 20 (evisa.gov.az) | Easy |
| Indonesia | e-visa | IDR 2,000,000, 60 days (official FAQ) | Easy to moderate (funds of USD 2,000 required) |
| Thailand | e-Visa, fee paid at the Thai mission | See country page | Moderate |
| Malaysia | eVISA | See country page | Moderate |
| Uzbekistan | Visa required; e-visa reported | See country page | Moderate (not confirmed) |
| Türkiye | Sticker visa via Anatolia Travel Services, or e-visa with a US/UK/Schengen/Ireland visa | See country page | Moderate |
| Dubai / UAE | Visa arranged through a UAE sponsor; resumed for Pakistanis through registered agents in August 2026 (ProPakistani, news) | See country page | Moderate, with heavy profile scrutiny |
| Saudi Arabia | Package Visa through registered agents (pilot from July 2026), or e-visa if you hold a US, UK or Schengen visa | Visa + insurance SAR 402.21 in the package (ProPakistani, news) | Moderate |
| Singapore | Through an authorised visa agent or a local contact (ICA) | See country page | Moderate |
| Hong Kong | Visa required in advance (ImmD) | See country page | Moderate to hard |
| China | Tourist (L) visa via the Chinese Visa Application Service Center | See country page | Moderate |
| Japan | Visa via the Embassy of Japan in Pakistan | See country page | Moderate to hard |
| UK | Online on GOV.UK, biometrics at VFS Global | GBP 135 for 6 months (GOV.UK) (≈ PKR 49,400) | Hard |
| Schengen | Through each country's embassy or visa centre | EUR 90 adult (European Commission) (≈ PKR 27,800) | Hard (appointments scarce) |
| Canada | Online with IRCC, biometrics at VFS Global | CAD 100 + CAD 85 biometrics (IRCC) (≈ PKR 35,900) | Hard (long processing) |
| Australia | Visitor visa (subclass 600) in ImmiAccount (Home Affairs) | See country page | Hard |
| USA | DS-160, fee, interview in Islamabad or Karachi | USD 185 (widely reported) | Hard (long interview waits) |
Our service fee is always separate from these official fees. See our fees.
Chapter 04
What makes a visa "easy" or "hard" for Pakistanis?
A visa is easier for Pakistanis when the destination asks for less evidence and decides quickly. Four things decide how hard a country is in practice:
- The route. Visa-free and on-arrival entry is simplest; an online e-visa is next; an embassy visa with biometrics or an interview takes longest.
- How much evidence is assessed. E-visa countries usually ask for a passport, photo, booking and bank statement. The UK, Schengen, USA, Canada and Australia look closely at your income, savings history, travel history and ties to Pakistan.
- Appointment and processing time. Schengen appointments are scarce, and US interview waits from Pakistan have been many months. E-visas usually take days.
- Your profile. The same country can be easy for a salaried taxpayer with travel history and hard for a first-time traveller with no documented income. Try our eligibility checker to see where your file stands.
Chapter 05
Easy visa does not mean easy airport
Even with a free ETA or a visa on arrival, FIA immigration at Pakistani airports checks visit-visa travellers. Carry a return ticket, a paid hotel booking, enough funds and proof of your ties to Pakistan. Read our FIA airport checklist before you fly.
Also make sure you apply on the official site. Several "easy" destinations, including Sri Lanka and Azerbaijan, have lookalike e-visa websites that charge extra. See how to spot fake visa websites.
Chapter 06
Which is easier for Pakistanis: Thailand or Malaysia? Dubai or Azerbaijan?
- Thailand vs Malaysia: both need an e-visa applied for in advance, and neither offers visa on arrival to Pakistanis. Thailand's e-visa asks for financial evidence of at least THB 20,000 according to the Thai e-Visa portal. Compare the full details on our Thailand and Malaysia pages.
- Dubai vs Azerbaijan: Azerbaijan's ASAN e-visa is a simple online application with an official USD 20 fee. A Dubai visa must be sponsored, and Pakistani applicants have faced heavier scrutiny in 2025–2026; since August 2026 UAE visit visas for Pakistanis are issued through registered agents (ProPakistani, news).
- Sri Lanka vs Nepal: both are free for Pakistanis in 2026. Sri Lanka needs an online ETA before you fly; Nepal gives the free visa on arrival on your first visit in a visa year.
Chapter 07
Countries we could not verify yet
Pakistani travellers often ask about Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Cambodia, Laos, Oman, the Seychelles and Japan's eVISA. We could not confirm the current rule for Pakistani passport holders on an official page during our 13 October 2026 check, so we do not list them as easy. Ask us on WhatsApp and we will check the official source for your dates.
Chapter 08
Frequently asked questions
Which country gives the easiest visa to Pakistanis in 2026?
Sri Lanka is one of the easiest: since 25 May 2026 Pakistanis get a free 30-day tourist ETA, applied for online at eta.gov.lk. Nepal (free 30-day visa on arrival on the first visit each visa year) and Rwanda (free visa on arrival for Commonwealth citizens) are also simple.
Which countries are visa-free for Pakistani passport holders?
Very few countries are fully visa-free for ordinary Pakistani passports; most 'easy' options are visa on arrival or an electronic authorisation. The Henley Passport Index for July 2026 put Pakistan at 101st with 29 visa-free or on-arrival destinations, as reported by Aaj News.
Is there a visa on arrival in Thailand or Malaysia for Pakistanis?
No. Pakistanis need a visa in advance for both: the Thai e-Visa at thaievisa.go.th and the Malaysia eVISA at malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my.
Does Indonesia give visa on arrival to Pakistanis?
We could not find Pakistan on Indonesia's visa-on-arrival list. Pakistanis should apply in advance for an Indonesian e-visa at evisa.imigrasi.go.id; the 60-day visit e-visa costs IDR 2,000,000 according to the official FAQ.
Is Qatar visa on arrival for Pakistanis?
Only with conditions. Visit Qatar says Pakistanis can get entry on arrival if they pre-book their hotel through Discover Qatar, or they can apply online in advance for a Hayya visa.
Does Hong Kong need a visa for Pakistanis?
Yes. Hong Kong's Immigration Department lists ordinary Pakistani passport holders as needing a visa before travel; visa-free access applies only to diplomatic and official passports.
Which European country is easiest for Pakistanis?
No Schengen country is officially 'easy'. All apply the same Visa Code and EUR 90 fee. What differs is appointment availability and each country's funds rule, so choose the country of your main destination and prepare a strong file.
What is Pakistan's passport ranking in 2026?
Reports of the Henley Passport Index differ: Aaj News reported 101st with 29 destinations for July 2026, while other outlets reported 100th with 30. Either way, Pakistan is among the bottom five passports in the index.
Is Maldives free for Pakistanis?
The Maldives gives a tourist visa on arrival to all nationalities. You must submit the free IMUGA traveller declaration within 96 hours before arrival and carry a return ticket, a confirmed paid booking and enough funds.
Chapter 09
How Visit Visa Specialists helps
Not sure where to go? Tell us your budget, dates and travel history, and we will suggest destinations that fit your profile, with the official fee and our service fee shown separately. Destination advice: Quote on WhatsApp. For the visa itself, each country page lists its own service fee.
Every fact, checkedSources+
- Aaj News (news), 24 Jul 2026: Henley Passport Index July 2026, Pakistan 101st with 29 destinations (english.aaj.tv, checked 13 October 2026)
- Sri Lanka ETA (official): free tourist ETA for 40 countries incl. Pakistan, effective 25 May 2026 (eta.gov.lk, checked 13 October 2026)
- Nepal Department of Immigration (official): gratis visa for SAARC citizens (except Afghanistan) up to 30 days on first visit in a visa year; standard fees (immigration.gov.np, checked 13 October 2026)
- Rwanda DGIE (official): visa on arrival for all nationalities; fee waived for Commonwealth citizens (migration.gov.rw, checked 13 October 2026)
- Maldives Immigration (official, updated 10 Sep 2026): tourist visa on arrival; IMUGA declaration within 96 hours (immigration.gov.mv, checked 13 October 2026)
- Visit Qatar (official tourism board): Pakistan entry with Discover Qatar hotel booking or Hayya visa (visitqatar.com, checked 13 October 2026)
- Kenya eTA (official): eTA required; fee from USD 30 (etakenya.go.ke, checked 13 October 2026)
- Azerbaijan ASAN e-visa (official): USD 20 standard (3 working days), USD 50 urgent (evisa.gov.az, checked 13 October 2026)
- Indonesia e-Visa FAQ (official): 60-day visit visa IDR 2,000,000; funds of at least USD 2,000 (evisa.imigrasi.go.id, checked 13 October 2026)
- Hong Kong Immigration Department (official, updated Aug 2026): visa required for Pakistani ordinary passports (immd.gov.hk, checked 13 October 2026)
- Singapore ICA (official, updated 25 Jun 2026): Pakistan nationals need a visa; apply via local contact, authorised visa agent or mission (ica.gov.sg, checked 13 October 2026)
- Turkish Embassy Islamabad: visa regime for Pakistani nationals; conditional e-visa (7 May 2022) (islamabad-emb.mfa.gov.tr, checked 13 October 2026)
- GOV.UK: Standard Visitor visa GBP 135 (6 months) from 8 Apr 2026 (gov.uk, checked 13 October 2026)
- European Commission (page dated 2 Dec 2025): Schengen visa fee EUR 90 adults, EUR 45 children 6-12 (home-affairs.ec.europa.eu, checked 13 October 2026)
- IRCC fee list (modified 21 Sep 2026): visitor visa CAD 100, biometrics CAD 85 (ircc.canada.ca, checked 13 October 2026)
- Thailand e-Visa official portal: tourist visa category and requirements (thaievisa.go.th, checked 13 October 2026)
- Malaysia eVISA official portal (malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my, checked 13 October 2026)
- ProPakistani (news), 13 Jul 2026: Saudi Package Visa pilot for Pakistanis via registered agents; visa + insurance SAR 402.21 (propakistani.pk, checked 13 October 2026)
- ProPakistani (news), 2 Aug 2026: UAE resumes visit visas for Pakistanis through registered agents (propakistani.pk, checked 13 October 2026)
- Australia Department of Home Affairs: Visitor visa (subclass 600) Tourist stream (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au, checked 13 October 2026)
We are an independent private agency, not affiliated with any government. Visa decisions are made solely by the relevant authority.
