Although, there was a big change in a quarterly ranking of the world’s most powerful passports Pakistan remained at the low spot for the hottest travel documents for 2024.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Pakistani passport has been ranked the ‘fourth worst’ by the Henley Passport Index. The South Asian country was ahead of Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan in a ranking of the world’s 199 passports.

The index ranks countries according to the number of destinations their owners can access without a prior visa. It is created by London-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners, using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association.

Pakistan’s passport permits visa-free access to 34 states, Iraq’s allows travel to 31, Syria’s gives access to 29 destinations, and Afghanistan’s travel document only allows access to 28 destinations. India stands at 80th as residents of the country can enjoy visa-free travel to 57 countries while China ranks 62nd with access to 85 countries.

In a major shakeup, the top spot belongs to France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and Spain. These nations’ citizens have access to 194 of the 227 destinations.

Following closely are Finland, South Korea, and Sweden, whose passports grant visa-free access to 193 countries. Europe remains a powerhouse for travel freedom, with Austria, Denmark, Ireland, and the Netherlands claiming third place with access to 192 destinations.

Top 10 most powerful passports:

1. France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain (194)
2. Finland, South Korea, Sweden (193)
3. Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands (192)
4. Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, United Kingdom (191)
5. Greece, Malta, Switzerland (190)
6. Australia, Czech Republic, New Zealand, Poland (189)
7. Canada, Hungary, USA (188)
8. Estonia, Lithuania (187)
9. Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia (186)
10. Iceland (185)

Top 10 weakest passports:

1. Afghanistan (28)
2. Syria (29)
3. Iraq (31)
4. Pakistan (34)
5. Yemen (35)
6. Somalia (36)
7. Libya, Nepal, Palestine (40)
8. Bangladesh, North Korea (42)
9. Eriteria, Sri Lanka (43)
10. Iran, Lebanon, Nigeria, Sudan (45)