Malaysia’s Passport Rises to Second Most Powerful in the World

Malaysia’s passport has climbed to second place globally in the 2026 Passport Index Global Passport Power Rank, sharing the position with Singapore.

The ranking, published by Arton Capital’s Passport Index, places the United Arab Emirates in first position with a mobility score of 182. Malaysia and Singapore follow jointly in second with scores of 175. Spain ranks third with 174.

According to the latest ranking, Malaysian passport holders have access to 175 destinations, including 129 destinations that allow visa-free entry and 46 offering visas on arrival. Another 23 destinations require Malaysian travelers to obtain a visa before arrival.

Malaysia’s position represents an improvement from the previous year, when it ranked third in the Passport Index. The country’s Immigration Department said the latest position reflects the international acceptance and mobility associated with the Malaysian passport.

The ranking comes as Malaysia introduces a new international passport with enhanced security features and a 10-year validity period. The redesigned document includes features such as holograms, ultraviolet printing, guilloche patterns and other security elements.

However, passport rankings can vary depending on the index used. The Henley Passport Index, which uses a different methodology and data source, placed Malaysia seventh globally in its 2026 ranking, with access to 183 destinations without a prior visa.

The difference highlights why the specific index should be identified when describing a passport as one of the world’s most powerful. Under the 2026 Passport Index by Arton Capital, Malaysia now sits alongside Singapore in second place, behind only the United Arab Emirates.