Malaysian passport is not the most powerful in the world. Where are we?
My upcoming trip to Bahamas with my Malaysian passport
As the District Director for Term 2023 – 2024 for District 51 Toastmasters International, I will be joining the District Leader Training and also the Annual Convention in The Bahamas. (yes, it’s The Bahamas because it’s a nation of many islands, just like The Philippines). I thought The Bahamas iswithin the U.S. and thus I do not need to apply for a visa because I already have the US visa. Then, when I searched, I realise The Bahamas is an independent country and my US visa does not apply. Then, when I checked further, I found that Malaysian passport holders do not need to apply for a visa. I am happy. I am ready to go.
However, my fellow District Directors from Indonesia and Thailand informed me that their visa application is taking some time and one only got the approval 1.5 months after her application! Yes, my Malaysian passport is really powerful! Now, how do we compare versus the world then? Read on.
Is the glass half-full or half-empty?
According to Worldometer – There are 195 countries in the world today. This total comprises 193 countries that are member states of the United Nations and 2 countries that are non-member observer states: the Holy See and the State of Palestine.
However, the Global Passport Ranking 2023 says that it covers 199 different passports and 227 different travel destinations. IT says that when it meant by visa-free is this: *Visa-free = no visa required/ can obtain a visa on arrival, a visitor’s permit, or an electronic travel authority (ETA) when entering the destination. Condition: No pre-departure government approval needed for visa on entry. Here’s that article in themalaymail.com
Using my passport as a Malaysian, I could go to 180 countries VISA-FREE. It means I could just buy a flight ticket and fly and arrive there and start walking on the streets of that country.
Yeah, in ASEAN, only one country is more powerful when it comes to visa-free travel
We can see clearly in the image above yeah. Meanwhile the closest to us would be Brunei at 21st position and as for the other ASEAN members, Thailand and Indonesia were at 64th and 69th spot, respectively. The Philippines is at 75th and Vietnam is at 83rd. Laos and Myanmar at 88th and 90th respectively.
Now the only issue with visa-free to 180 countries is this…
We do need to work harder and earn more money. Haha. Please do not mention the ringgit’s declining strength versus some currencies. Surely out of the 180 countries there are many which are still considered affordable. 🙂 Alternatively, become a successful Tik Toker or a You Tuber and it will help tremendously too. Happy visiting the visa-free 180 countries.
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