According to the Henley Passport Index, the Malaysian passport grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 183 destinations, tying the country for seventh place globally with Australia, Canada, Czechia, Latvia, New Zealand, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Within Southeast Asia, the document ranks as the second most powerful passport behind Singapore, which leads the worldwide ranking with access to 192 destinations.
Global Passport Rankings and Regional Standing
Global travel freedom expands as international mobility indices track shifts in visa policies across 199 passports and 227 destinations. According to the Henley Passport Index, which uses exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates share second place globally behind Singapore, with Sweden following closely in third.
Within Southeast Asia, passport power varies widely across member states. Following Malaysia’s seventh-place global ranking, Thailand places 63rd with access to 77 destinations, according to the index data. Indonesia follows in 68th place with 70 destinations, the Philippines ranks 72nd with 65 destinations, and Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar occupy positions 87 through 91 respectively.
Did you know? The Henley Passport Index updates regularly throughout the year to reflect real-time changes in international visa policies, serving as a primary benchmark for global mobility. You can explore more updates on international travel regulations in our travel news section.
Malaysia Passport Updates and Issuance System
Malaysia’s high ranking reflects the country’s strong international reputation and the trust it enjoys worldwide, according to a statement from Malaysia’s Immigration Department reported by the New Straits Times. This global standing underpins recent administrative updates to the nation’s travel document infrastructure.
Malaysia began issuing its new passport on July 15. Under this updated system, citizens aged 18 and above can choose between a five-year passport costing RM200 (US$49) and a 10-year passport priced at RM350. According to The Star, authorities have issued more than 30,000 of the new travel documents, which includes 23,491 allocations for the five-year version.
Pro Tip: Travelers planning international trips should verify specific entry requirements, blank page quotas, and validity rules with destination embassies well in advance, even when holding a passport with extensive visa-free access. Read our guide on passport renewal tips for application best practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many destinations can Malaysian passport holders visit without a visa?
According to the Henley Passport Index, Malaysian passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 183 destinations worldwide.
Where does Malaysia rank in Southeast Asia for passport power?
Malaysia holds the second most powerful passport in Southeast Asia, trailing only Singapore, which ranks first globally.
What are the validity options for the new Malaysian passport?
According to Malaysia’s Immigration Department, citizens aged 18 and above can select a five-year passport priced at RM200 (US$49) or a 10-year passport priced at RM350.
What data source does the Henley Passport Index use?
The index tracks global travel freedom across 227 countries and territories using exclusive data provided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
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