How Many Countries Can You Visit without a Visa in 2024 with a Pakistani/African (Various)/Iraqi/Afghani Passport?
Passports are more than just travel documents; they’re your keys to the world. Additionally, the visa requirements linked to each passport affect where and how freely you can move. This article will examine the challenges and opportunities of traveling with passports from Pakistan, various countries in Africa, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Whether you can enter a country without a visa or need to meet stricter requirements, we’ll show you how these rules determine where you can go. We’ll also share some helpful tips to make applying for a visa easier. Join us as we discuss all things travel visas!
Understanding Visa Categories
Navigating international travel involves understanding various visa requirements that affect how you can enter and stay in a country. Here’s a detailed look at each type:
Visa-Free: this arrangement allows you to enter a country without a visa, usually for a limited time, generally for tourism, leisure, or business. It’s the most convenient option, usually involving no fees or applications. Simply arrive with your passport!
- Advantages: No application process or costs. Quick and easy entry.
- Disadvantages: The duration of your stay is likely limited. You may not gain employment.
Visa-on-Arrival: Available upon arrival in the country, this visa often requires travelers to fill out paperwork and pay a fee at immigration checkpoints.
- Advantages: Convenient for travelers who need to travel on short notice.
- Disadvantages: Possible waiting times at immigration; uncertainty if entry conditions change.
- Costs and Time: Fees vary widely; processing is usually quick but waiting times can depend on airport congestion.
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): This system requires travelers to get pre-travel authorization via an online application, which is simpler and faster than a traditional visa application.
- Advantages: No need to visit an embassy; faster processing and generally cheaper than a visa.
- Disadvantages: Required before travel, unlike Visa on Arrival.
- Costs and Time: Lower than traditional visas; processing times can be as quick as a few hours to a few days.
Visa Online: This digital application process requires travelers to complete their visa application and receive it online before departure.
- Advantages: No embassy visits; complete the process from home.
- Disadvantages: Requires planning ahead; potential technical issues with the website.
- Costs and Time: Varies by country; processing can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
Visa Required: This traditional form involves applying for a visa through an embassy or consulate prior to your visit, often requiring an appointment, documentation, and potentially an interview.
- Advantages: Allows for longer stays and sometimes multiple entries.
- Disadvantages: More complex and time-consuming application process; higher costs.
- Costs and Time: Generally higher fees; processing times can vary from a few weeks to months, depending on the country and visa type.
Let Me See Your Passport
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Pakistan (Pakistani Passport)
Pakistan's passport allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 33 countries, providing its 242,923,845 citizens with opportunities to explore destinations such as Qatar and Seychelles. Ranked 103rd on the Guide Passport Index, it offers a world reach of 23%. However, Pakistani passport holders need to obtain a visa before traveling to 196 destinations, including all neighboring countries, the US, EU, and China.
Visa-Free: 11
Visa on Arrival: 20
eTA: 2
Visa Online: 48
Visa Required: 148
Review the sections above for explanations of terms like Visa on Arrival, eTA, and Visa Online. Below, find out where you can travel with a Pakistani passport without needing a physical visa:
Visa-Free Visa on Arrival eTA Visa Online Barbados, Cook Islands, Dominica, Gambia, Haiti, Micronesia, Montserrat, Rwanda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu Bolivia, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Comoros, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritania, Nepal, Niue, Palau, Qatar, Samoa, Senegal, Seychelles, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu Kenya, Sri Lanka Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Colombia, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Moldova, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Oman, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Singapore, South Africa, South Sudan, St. Helena, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe -
Somalia (Somali Passport):
Despite ranking 101st in the Guide Passport Index and having a world reach of just 23%, Somali passport holders have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 35 countries, including bordering African country Kenya. Currently, 194 countries around the world, including China, the US, and the EU, require Somali passport holders to gain a visa before traveling to their country.
Visa-Free: 9
Visa on Arrival: 25
eTA: 1
Visa Online: 40
Visa Required: 154
Check the details above for what Visa on Arrival, eTA, and Visa Online mean. Below, find out which countries you can visit with a Somali passport without needing a physical visa:
Visa-Free Visa on Arrival eTA Visa Online Benin, Cook Islands, Dominica, Gambia, Haiti, Malaysia, Micronesia, Rwanda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Laos, Lebanon, Macao, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritania, Nigeria, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu Kenya Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bhutan, Botswana, Cameroon, Colombia, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Moldova, Mozambique, Norfolk Island, Oman, Qatar, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Sudan, St. Helena, Suriname, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe -
Sudan (Sudanese Passport):
Sudanese passport holders can travel visa-free or with visa-on-arrival to 41 countries. Despite a global passport ranking of 98, numerous travel opportunities still exist. However, all neighboring African countries require visas for Sudanese visitors. Visas are also necessary for entry into 188 destinations worldwide, including China, Russia, the United States, and the entire European Union.
Visa-Free Access: 12
Visa on Arrival: 28
eTa: 1
Visa Online: 38
Visa Required: 150
Refer to the explanations above for terms like Visa on Arrival, eTA, and Visa Online. Here are the destinations you can visit with a Sudanese passport without needing a physical visa:
Visa-Free Visa on Arrival eTA Visa Online Barbados, Benin, Cook Islands, Dominica, Gambia, Haiti, Malaysia, Micronesia, Rwanda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Syria Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Laos, Lebanon, Macao, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Niue, Palau, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu Kenya Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Colombia, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Indonesia, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Malawi, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Sudan, St. Helena, Togo, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe -
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC):
With a population of 108,407,721 citizens, the DRC is a big country. DRC passport holders have a world reach of 27%, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 44 countries. Neighboring Uganda allows DRC passport holders to enter entirely visa-free. Unfortunately, Congolese citizens require a visa to enter 185 destinations, such as China, Russia, the US, and the EU. However, DRC passport holders enjoy visa-free access to exciting destinations, including Barbados, the Philippines, and Singapore.
Visa-Free Access: 17
Visa on Arrival: 27
eTa: 0
Visa Online: 40
Visa Required: 145
Look above for what terms like Visa on Arrival, eTA, and Visa Online involve. Below, discover the places you can explore with a DRC passport without needing a physical visa:
Visa-Free Visa on Arrival eTA Visa Online Barbados, Benin, Burundi, Cook Islands, Dominica, Gambia, Haiti, Kenya, Mauritius, Micronesia, Philippines, Rwanda, Singapore, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Uganda, Zimbabwe Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Macao, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Senegal, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Zambia Kenya, Morocco Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Georgia, Guinea, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Libya, Malaysia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montserrat, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Zimbabwe -
Eritrea (Eritrean Passport):
With a global reach of 27% and 99th in the Global Passport Index, the Eritrean passport provides visa-free access to 39 destinations worldwide, including locations such as the Philippines and Singapore. Unfortunately, Eritreans will need a visa to enter 190 countries, including China, Russia, the United States, and the entire European Union. Due to regional disputes, no neighboring African countries currently provide Eritrean passport holders with visa-free access.
Visa-Free Access: 12
Visa on Arrival: 26
eTa: 1
Visa Online: 48
Visa Required: 142
Below is a complete list of the countries you can visit without a physical visa as an eritrean passport holder. There are some conditions, including Visa on Arrival, eTA, and visa online applications. Read the section above for more info.
Visa-Free Visa on Arrival eTA Visa Online Benin, Cook Islands, Dominica, Gambia, Haiti, Micronesia, Niue, Philippines, Rwanda, Singapore, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Uganda Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Comoros, Djibouti, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Laos, Macao, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritania, Mauritius, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Palau, Samoa, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Zambia Kenya Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bhutan, Botswana, Cameroon, Colombia, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Georgia, Guinea, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montserrat, Mozambique, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, St. Helena, Suriname, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Zimbabwe -
Nigeria (Nigerian Passport):
Nigeria has a population of 225,082,083, its passport holders enjoy relatively broad travel within Africa and beyond, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 45 destinations. Nigerians also benefit from visa-free access to all neighboring African countries. Its passport is ranked 94th worldwide, and offers its holders a global reach of 27%. Unfortunately, to enter continents such as the EU, the US, and China, a physical visa is required.
Visa-Free Access: 27
Visa on Arrival: 17
eTa: 1
Visa Online: 41
Visa Required: 143
Check out information above on the conditions (Visa on Arrival, eTa, etc.) and what they mean. Here are the countries you can visit with a Nigerian passport that do not require a physical visa:
Visa-Free Visa on Arrival eTA Visa Online Barbados, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Cook Islands, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Dominica, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Liberia, Mali, Micronesia, Montserrat, Niger, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, Vanuatu Bolivia, Burundi, Cambodia, Comoros, Djibouti, Lebanon, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Seychelles, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu Kenya Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bhutan, Botswana, Colombia, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Georgia, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Moldova, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Sao Tome and Principe, Singapore, South Africa, South Sudan, St. Helena, Suriname, Syria, Tanzania, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe -
Iraq (Iraqi Passport):
Iraq has a population of 40,462,701 and a global reach of 22%. Its passport, positioned 104th globally, provides its holders with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 31 countries. Iraqis have opportunities to explore destinations like Sri Lanka and Madagascar, but unfortunately will need a physical visa to visit regions such as the US and EU.
Visa-Free Access: 9
Visa on Arrival: 21
eTa: 1
Visa Online: 48
Visa Required: 150
Below is a list of countries that Iraqi passport holders can visit without needing a physical visa. Please refer to the earlier section for details on any specific restrictions.
Visa-Free Visa on Arrival eTA Visa Online Cook Islands, Dominica, Haiti, Iran, Malaysia, Micronesia, Suriname, Tunisia, Zambia Bolivia, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Comoros, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Lebanon, Macao, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niue, Palau, Rwanda, Samoa, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu Kenya Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Colombia, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Georgia, Guinea, Hong Kong, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Moldova, Montserrat, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Sudan, St. Helena, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Zimbabwe -
Afghanistan (Afghani Passport)
With a world reach of 20% and a population of 38,346,720, Afghanistan ranks 106th on the Guide Passport Index. Despite these challenges, Afghan passport holders can still visit 26 destinations visa-free or with visa-on-arrival, including Bangladesh and the Seychelles. Unfortunately, getting foreign visas within Afghanistan has become more difficult following the closure of many embassies after the Taliban's takeover in August 2021.
Visa-Free Access: 4
Visa on Arrival: 20
eTA: 2
Visa Online: 47
Visa Required: 156
Below is a list of countries that Afghan passport holders can visit, subject to the conditions explained above:
Visa-Free Visa on Arrival eTA Visa Online Cook Islands, Dominica, Haiti, Micronesia Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Comoros, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Macao, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niue, Palau, Rwanda, Samoa, Seychelles, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu Kenya, Sri Lanka Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Colombia, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, India, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Moldova, Montserrat, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Korea, South Sudan, St. Helena, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe - Gather Documentation: Collect all the documents you need, like your passport (which should be valid for at least six months after your trip), recent photos, a detailed plan of your trip, and proof of your financial resources, such as bank statements or a letter from someone sponsoring your trip.
- Apply Early: Start applying for your visa well before your travel date. This is important because it might take a long time to get your visa, especially if the country is very careful about who they let in.
- Prepare for Interviews: You might have to go through an interview where they check if your travel plans are genuine. Be honest, make sure your answers match what you put in your application, and show proof that you plan to return home (like a job or family).
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International Air Transport Association (IATA)
- What They Do: Provide up-to-date travel documentation requirements, including visa information, sourced from governments and airlines.
- How to Use: Visit the IATA Travel Centre to check the specific requirements for your destination. Simply enter your trip details, nationality, and age.
Websites of Destination Countries
- What They Do: Offer the most accurate and official visa and entry requirement information for travelers.
- How to Use: Regularly check the official embassy websites for any updates or changes in visa policies for the countries you plan to visit.
Here’s a list of popular destination government websites:
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- What They Do: Offers comprehensive guides on visa requirements, application procedures, and the latest visa news worldwide.
- How to Use: Click the link above to visit the homepage, then select "Explore," "Rank," "Compare," or "Discover" to begin.
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- What They Do: Give essential travel information for countries including the UK, USA, Europe, Australia, and Canada, along with tips and guidance to improve your visa application success.
- How to Use: Visit the website using the provided link. On the homepage, you'll find various options tailored to your needs. Start with "Travel Visa Requirements for Popular Destinations" for the most relevant information.
Navigating Visa Requirements
Now that you understand the basic requirements for traveling to various countries based on your passport—whether it's visa-free, via eTA, or visa on arrival—it's time to look into what you should do if your destination requires a visa. This part of your journey involves more detailed preparation. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help travelers from countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Somalia, Nigeria, Sudan, DRC, and Eritrea navigate these often stringent visa requirements for successful international travel.
Types of Visas:
Tourist Visas: You need to show where you'll stay (like hotel bookings or a host's invitation), your return tickets, and proof that you have enough money for your trip. It's good to also include a plan of what you want to do during your visit.
Business Visas: These are for when you need to go to meetings or conferences. You'll need an invitation from the company you're visiting, proof of your work in your home country, and sometimes proof of previous work with the country you're visiting.
Transit Visas: You need this if you're just passing through a country to get to another place. Whether you need this visa depends on how long you will be in the transit country and the airport's rules.
Application Process:
Handling Rejections:
Review and Respond: If your visa application is denied, find out why. The embassy will tell you the reasons which can help you fix any problems for next time.
Consult and Consider: You might want to get advice from a visa consultant or lawyer who can help you understand more about the appeal process or how to improve your chances next time.
Using Visa Services:
If you're finding the visa process too hard, you can get help from professionals who specialize in this. You can either find help in-person, or through articles and websites such as this one and those listed in the next section. If you've had trouble getting visas before, using a professional might help a lot.
Cultural and Practical Tips:
Cultural Respect: It's important to know and respect the culture of the country you're visiting. If you have an interview as part of the visa application process, they might check how much you know about their culture.
Documentation Integrity: Make sure all your documents are real and can be verified. Any errors or fake information can cause big problems, like being banned from entering the country.
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How Do I Get Information and Updates on Visa Policies?
Visa policies can change often, so it's important to stay informed about the latest requirements before planning your trip. Here’s how you can easily keep track of these changes:
Moving Forward: Travel with Confidence
Okay, so now you know a little bit more about what to expect when traveling with passports from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia, and others. As rules constantly change, staying updated is important. Use the websites listed in this article to ensure your knowledge on visa requirements and restrictions is up to date.
Looking to the future, technological advancements are likely to ease some of the processes, which could make travel less stressful. Unfortunately, world troubles, whenever and wherever they happen, may also create new restrictions or change existing agreements.
Keep learning about visas and be positive about the process. It may seem daunting at first but with a little bit of patience and some careful work, you’re likely to find a positive outcome. We wish you safe travels and luck. Go and explore the world with confidence!
