By Gloria Nosa
Malaysia has secured the 12th spot on the Henley Passport Index, October 2025 edition, sharing the position with the United States. Both nations’ passports currently grant visa-free access to 180 destinations out of 227 worldwide.
The U.S. passport, once the strongest in the world back in 2014, fell out of the top 10 for the first time last month and has remained at 12th place. Analysts say the decline reflects broader shifts in global mobility and soft power influence.
“This is not just a reshuffle in rankings. It signals a deeper change in how global mobility is being redefined. Countries that foster openness and cooperation are gaining ground, while those relying on past dominance are losing momentum,” said Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners.
For Malaysia, the ranking represents a slight drop after rising to 11th place last year. Still, many Malaysians online expressed pride, noting that their passport allows them to travel “almost anywhere without a visa.”
At the top of the index, Singapore retains its crown as the world’s most powerful passport, offering visa-free access to 193 destinations. South Korea and Japan follow closely behind.
The Henley Passport Index, maintained by London-based Henley & Partners, is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It evaluates 199 passports against 227 travel destinations and is updated throughout the year to reflect changes in visa regulations.
