Malaysia’s passport now No. 2 globally, sharing silver tier with Singapore
PUTRAJAYA, Sept 28 — The Malaysian passport has climbed to the second position in The Passport Index Global Ranking 2026, overtaking its previous third-place standing from the prior year. This advancement places…
Source: Malay Mail · NST Online · Muslim Network TV · September 28, 2026 at 4:02 PM · AI-assisted report
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PUTRAJAYA, 29 SEPTEMBER 2026 —
PUTRAJAYA, Sept 28 — The Malaysian passport has climbed to the second position in The Passport Index Global Ranking 2026, overtaking its previous third-place standing from the prior year. This advancement places Malaysia in a shared silver tier with Singapore, according to data released by the Immigration Department.
Market Impact
The Immigration Department announced the milestone in a social media post, stating that the rise reflects the strength and international acceptance of the Malaysian passport. The department detailed that holders of the Malaysian passport now have access to 175 destinations worldwide. This total is comprised of 129 destinations that offer visa-free entry and 46 destinations that provide visa-on-arrival facilities.
Conversely, the post noted that 23 destinations still require Malaysian travelers to obtain a visa in advance.
According to data from passportindex.org, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) passport currently holds the top spot in the Passport Power Rank. Singapore and Malaysia follow in second place, sharing the same rank. Spain’s passport is listed in third place. A group of 16 other countries, including Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and Norway, share fourth place in the global hierarchy.
The ranking system evaluates passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without prior visa arrangements. The inclusion of both visa-free and visa-on-arrival categories in the count of 175 destinations highlights the broadened scope of mobility for Malaysian citizens. The specific breakdown provided by the Immigration Department shows the significant number of countries where Malaysian travelers can enter without the administrative burden of pre-arranged visas.
For the Malaysian economy and tourism sector, a higher passport ranking signals enhanced global connectivity and ease of travel for citizens. The ability to access 129 visa-free destinations facilitates business travel, tourism, and personal visits, potentially boosting cross-border economic interactions. The shared second-place status with Singapore, a regional financial hub, further aligns Malaysia’s travel privileges with those of a key neighboring economy.
The Immigration Department’s statement serves as the official confirmation of this new standing, citing the Passport Index Global Ranking 2026 as the source of the data. The report, published on September 28, marks a notable improvement in Malaysia’s global travel mobility index compared to the previous year’s assessment.
Related: Immigration Department · Putrajaya