THE Malaysian passport has risen to second place globally in The Passport Index Global Ranking 2026, improving one spot from last year as holders gain access to 175 destinations worldwide.
The Immigration Department said 129 of the destinations allow Malaysian passport holders to enter without a visa, while another 46 offer visa-on-arrival facilities.
“Twenty-three destinations still require Malaysian passport holders to obtain a visa before travelling,” it said in a Facebook post today.
The department said the improved ranking reflected the level of international acceptance and mobility enjoyed by Malaysian passport holders, strengthening Malaysia’s position in terms of global travel freedom.
The achievement also demonstrated positive developments in Malaysia’s relations and cooperation with other countries, particularly in facilitating international travel, it said.
“The ranking places the Malaysian passport among the travel documents offering broad access to international destinations this year,” it said. - September 28, 2026