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Malaysia shares the third position with 15 other countries — Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Korea and Switzerland, according to the Global Passport Power Rank 2025.

A wave of cheers and pride flooded Malaysian social media following the news.

“So proud of this. The Malaysian passport used to be ranked 11th in the world, tied with the United States. Today, the Malaysian passport has shot up to third place in the world,” user pdx8282 wrote.

The U.S. passport ranked 9th on the index with visa-free access to 168 destinations.

“Woke up to the news that Malaysia holds the world’s third strongest passport! What a proud day to be a Malaysian. Saya anak Malaysia!” netizen nanasharen wrote.

“As a Malaysian, I’m super proud. When immigration officers see that maroon color, they immediately smile. Not many questions, no drama,” user thekimiehalim added.

“From now on, when lining up at immigration overseas, I’m just going to hold my Malaysian passport proudly — no more keeping it in the bag. After all, it’s the third strongest passport in the world!” joked user zolamyyy.

Some users also reminded fellow Malaysians to be extra careful with their passports to avoid theft or loss while travelling abroad.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) passport is the world’s most powerful with access to 179 destinations, followed by Singapore and Spain in second place, according to Arton Capital.

The world’s least powerful passports come from countries mired in political conflicts Pakistan, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria.

Arton Capital ranked 199 passports from around the world based on how many countries their holders can visit visa-free, with a visa on arrival, an e-visa (if issued within three days), or with an electronic travel authorization.

According to the latest Henley Passport Index by the London-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners, Singapore holds the title of the world’s most powerful passport, allowing visa-free entry to 193 destinations, followed by South Korea and Japan.

Malaysia tied with the U.S. at 12th place in the Henley index as both countries offering visa-free access to 180 destinations worldwide.