Financial advisory firm ranks Malaysian passport world's third most powerful with visa-free access to 174 destinations

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.

It 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.

In a post on its social media page, the Malaysian Immigration Department said the achievement reflects international trust and recognition of the security features of Malaysia's travel document, which is highly regarded worldwide, Malay Mail reported.

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.

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.