December 16, 2025 | 02:53 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Malaysia’s passport has strengthened its global standing. In the latest Henley Passport Index compiled by Henley & Partners, Malaysia rose two places to 10th position, up from 12th last year. The country now shares the ranking with Iceland, granting its passport holders visa-free access to 181 destinations worldwide.
Malaysia’s improved ranking places it ahead of the United States, which sits at 11th place. Just a month ago, Malaysia and the US were tied at 12th, each offering visa-free entry to 180 destinations.
This is not the first time Malaysia has reached the top 10. In 2018, its passport was also ranked 10th, before slipping in subsequent years amid shifting global travel restrictions.
Another global index has delivered an even stronger result. Global citizenship and residence advisory firm Arton Capital ranked Malaysia’s passport third worldwide in its 2025 Passport Index, with visa-free access to 174 destinations. This marks a jump of seven places compared with last year’s ranking.
The Henley Passport Index measures global travel freedom across 227 countries and territories, drawing on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It ranks 199 passports based on the number of destinations their holders can visit without obtaining a visa in advance. Updated regularly to reflect changes in visa policies, the index is widely regarded as the leading benchmark for global mobility.
Singapore Leads the Way
Singapore continues to hold the title of the world’s strongest passport. Its citizens enjoy visa-free access to 193 destinations, maintaining the city-state’s lead in global mobility. South Korea and Japan follow closely in second and third place, respectively.
Henley’s data highlights Singapore’s consistent dominance in recent years, reflecting its extensive visa-free agreements and strong integration within the global travel network.
Indonesia is ranked 68th on the index, sharing the position with eSwatini and Morocco. Indonesian passport holders can travel visa-free to 73 destinations. At the lower end of the rankings are Pakistan, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, whose passports offer the least travel freedom worldwide.
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