Singapore Listed as Country with Strongest Passport, Here's How the Rest of Southeast Asia is Ranked

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A passport is a critical document that determines whether a person can enter a foreign territory. Some Southeast Asian countries are deemed to have strong passports, allowing their citizens to travel freely to various countries without a visa.

A country with a strong passport reflects good diplomatic relations and economic stability. By having a strong passport, citizens of these countries can enjoy more flexible and easier travel.

The following is a list of Southeast Asian countries with their passport strength, published by Henley Global. These countries are rated based on their mobility score or the total number of countries that can be easily accessed with a particularly strong passport.

1. Singapore

Singapore currently holds the title of the most powerful passport in the world out of 107 countries, automatically placing it first as the most powerful passport in Southeast Asia. Singapore's mobility score is 195, meaning citizens of this country are free to travel without a visa or using a visa on arrival in 195 countries.

2. Malaysia

Malaysia’s mobility score is 183, marking it the second most powerful passport in Southeast Asia and 13th in the world. Only 43 countries require Malaysian citizens to travel with a visa. 

3. Brunei Darussalam

Brunei Darussalam has a fairly strong passport with a mobility score of 168. Meanwhile, 58 countries require a visa for the citizens of Brunei Darussalam. This country is ranked 22 as the strongest passport in the world.

4. Timor Leste

Timor Leste is the fourth Southeast Asian country with the strongest passport with a mobility score of 97, meaning Timor Leste citizens are free to travel to 97 countries visa-free or using a visa on arrival. As many as 98 countries require citizens of this country to obtain a visa before entering the territory. Timor Leste is ranked 55th in the Global Passport Ranking.

5. Thailand

The Thai passport has a mobility score of 83. Thai passport holders are free to travel to 83 countries without a visa or using a visa on arrival. Thailand is ranked 63rd in the Global Passport Ranking.

6. Indonesia

Indonesian citizens are free to travel to 78 countries with a visa on arrival or visa-free. This country is ranked 68th in the Global Passport Ranking.

7. Philippines

The Philippine passport has a mobility score of 69. Globally, the country is ranked 74th in the Global Passport Ranking. 

8. Cambodia

With a mobility score of 56, Cambodian citizens may travel to 56 countries without a visa or using a visa on arrival. Cambodia’s passport ranked 86th in the world.

9. Vietnam

Vietnam has a mobility score of 55. Meaning, Vietnamese are free to travel to 55 countries without a visa, 41 with a visa on arrival, and 129 requiring a visa. 

10. Laos

Laos has a mobility score of 51. Globally, Laos' passport strength is ranked 91st in the Global Passport Ranking.

11. Myanmar

Myanmar has the least free access to other countries compared to other Southeast Asian states with a score of 48. Myanmar is ranked 93rd in the Global Passport Ranking. 

ANGGITA VIANDHINI NUGROHO PUTRI

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