United States Falls Out of Top 10 Most Powerful Passports, Ties with Malaysia at 12th Place

Every year, passports around the world go head-to-head to see which one packs the most travel power. For the first time in 20 years, the United States (US) has dropped out of the top 10, a big fall from when it held the title of the world’s most powerful passport back in 2014.

As we previously reported, the US ranked 8th with a visa-free score of 186. So where does it stand now, and more importantly, how does Malaysia compare?

For illustration purposes only

The US dropped to 12th place

The Henley Openness Index 2025 by Henley & Partners has once again ranked 199 countries and territories to see who’s rolling out the welcome mat and who’s keeping the door locked.

It measures how many nationalities each country lets in without a visa, and compares that to how much travel freedom its own citizens enjoy.

This year, the US slipped to 12th place with visa-free access to 180 destinations, including Europe’s Schengen area, tying with Malaysia, which also scored 180 visa-free spots.

Henley openness index 2025

According to ABC News, the US drop came after losing visa-free access to Brazil in April due to a lack of reciprocity.

Meanwhile, China and Vietnam didn’t add the US to their visa-free lists, and tweaks from Myanmar and Papua New Guinea also nudged the US’ ranking down while boosting others.

How did Malaysia stack up against other Southeast Asian countries?

Let’s not forget our neighbours! Singapore kept its crown as the world’s and Southeast Asia’s most powerful passport, offering visa-free access to 193 destinations, the same top spot it held last year.

Malaysia came in 2nd with 180 visa-free destinations, followed by Brunei in 3rd place with 164.

Here’s a look at how all Southeast Asian countries ranked this year:

1. Singapore – 1st with 193 visa-free access to destinations
2. Malaysia – 12th with 180 visa-free access to destinations
3. Brunei – 21st with 164 visa-free access to destinations
4. Timor-Leste (East Timor) – 56th with 94 visa-free access to destinations
5. Thailand – 66th with 80 visa-free access to destinations
6. Indonesia – 70th with 73 visa-free access to destinations
7. Philippines – 79th with 64 visa-free access to destinations
8. Vietnam – 92nd with 50 visa-free access to destinations
9. Cambodia – 92nd with 50 visa-free access to destinations
10. Laos – 95th with 46 visa-free access to destinations
11. Myanmar – 96th with 44 visa-free access to destinations

What do you think of this? Let us know down in the comments!

Also read: Study: Salary Growth in Malaysia is the 3rd Lowest in Southeast Asia, Stagnation Projected Until 2026