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Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC): Your Comprehensive Guide
MDAC Malaysia: Who Needs To Submit It And How To Fill It In
MDAC stands for Malaysia Digital Arrival Card. It is an online arrival form that many foreign travellers must submit before entering Malaysia.
Starting from January 2024, Malaysia requires foreign nationals to complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card within 3 days before arrival. Malaysia’s official government travel portal also states that foreign nationals are required to apply for MDAC within 3 days of arrival, with some exemptions.
The important thing to understand is this: MDAC is not a visa. If your nationality requires a Malaysia visa, you may still need to apply for the visa separately. MDAC is an arrival form used for immigration clearance, while a visa is permission to travel to Malaysia if your passport requires one.
If you are preparing travel documents before your trip, you can use Outbound Visa’s Free Visa Tools to organize your visa, passport, arrival card, and travel checklist.
What Is MDAC?
MDAC is Malaysia’s digital arrival card for travellers entering Malaysia.
Instead of filling in an old-style paper arrival card, travellers submit their details online before arrival. The form usually collects information such as your passport details, nationality, arrival date, travel method, accommodation or address in Malaysia, and basic trip information.
Think of MDAC as a pre-arrival declaration, not a visa approval. It helps Malaysia Immigration collect arrival information before you reach the immigration counter.
The Malaysian Immigration Department has an official MDAC announcement page, and the official MDAC form is submitted through Malaysia Immigration’s online portal.
Who Needs To Submit MDAC?
Most foreign travellers entering Malaysia need to submit MDAC before arrival.
This may include travellers entering Malaysia for:
Tourism
Business Visits
Family Or Friend Visits
Short Social Visits
Events Or Conferences
Transit That Requires Immigration Clearance
If you are entering Malaysia and passing through immigration, you should check whether MDAC applies to you.
Some travellers are exempt. Exemptions commonly include categories such as Singapore citizens, diplomatic and official passport holders, Malaysian permanent residents, long-term pass holders, and certain border pass or frequent traveller facility holders. Because exemption categories can change or depend on your document type, always verify through the official Malaysia Immigration or Malaysian mission page before travelling.
MDAC Exemption Guide
Here is a simple guide to help travellers understand the usual difference.
Traveller Type | MDAC Usually Needed? |
|---|---|
Foreign tourist entering Malaysia | Usually yes |
Foreign business visitor | Usually yes |
Foreign traveller entering Malaysia by air | Usually yes |
Foreign traveller entering Malaysia by land | Usually yes, unless exempt |
Malaysian citizen | Usually no |
Singapore citizen | Usually exempt |
Malaysian Permanent Resident | Usually exempt |
Long-term Malaysia pass holder | Usually exempt |
Diplomatic or official passport holder | Usually exempt |
Transit passenger not clearing immigration | Usually no |
The safest rule: if you are not sure, check the official MDAC portal or Malaysia Immigration page before your trip. Do not rely only on airline group chats, social media comments, or old screenshots.
When Should You Submit MDAC?
You should submit MDAC within 3 days before arriving in Malaysia.
For example:
Arrival Date In Malaysia | When To Submit MDAC |
|---|---|
Friday | From Tuesday / within 3 days before arrival |
Saturday | From Wednesday / within 3 days before arrival |
Sunday | From Thursday / within 3 days before arrival |
Do not submit it too early. MDAC is meant to be completed close to your arrival date, not weeks before your trip.
If your flight date changes after submission, check whether you need to submit a new MDAC with the updated arrival details.
Where To Submit MDAC
Submit MDAC only through the official Malaysia Immigration MDAC portal:
Official MDAC Portal:
https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main
Use the official portal because MDAC should not require a paid third-party service just to submit a basic arrival card. Be careful with unofficial websites that look similar to government pages or charge unnecessary fees.
If you are unsure whether a website is official, start from the Malaysian Immigration Department website or the Malaysian government travel portal.
MDAC is a basic arrival card submission, not a paid visa service. Some third-party websites may charge extra fees or look like official portals, so always check the URL carefully before entering your passport details.
What Information Do You Need For MDAC?
Before filling in MDAC, prepare:
Passport
Nationality
Date Of Birth
Passport Number
Passport Expiry Date
Arrival Date
Departure Date
Mode Of Travel
Flight, Ferry, Bus, Or Vehicle Details
Address In Malaysia
Email Address
Phone Number
Accommodation Details, If Staying At A Hotel
Make sure your passport number and arrival date are correct. These are common mistakes that can create problems at immigration.
How To Fill In MDAC
The process is usually simple.
1. Go To The Official MDAC Website
Start from the official Malaysia Immigration MDAC portal:
Official MDAC Portal:
https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main
You can also access MDAC information through Malaysia Immigration’s official announcement page:
Malaysia Immigration — Malaysia Digital Arrival Card
https://www.imi.gov.my/index.php/en/pengumuman/malaysia-digital-arrival-card-mdac/
Do not use random websites from ads, social media, or unofficial travel pages. MDAC is a basic arrival card, so travellers should submit it through the official Malaysia Immigration portal.
2. Enter Your Personal Details
Fill in your name, nationality, date of birth, and passport details exactly as shown on your passport.
Your name and passport number should match your passport exactly.
3. Add Your Travel Details
Enter your arrival date, departure date, transport details, and address in Malaysia.
If you are staying at a hotel, use the hotel address. If you are staying with family or friends, use the host address.
4. Review Everything Carefully
Before submitting, check:
Passport number
Full name
Nationality
Arrival date
Departure date
Email address
Address in Malaysia
Flight or transport details
5. Submit And Save The Confirmation
After submission, save the confirmation email, screenshot, or PDF if available.
Keep a digital copy on your phone and a printed copy if you want extra safety.
Example: What Your MDAC Confirmation Might Look Like
After submitting MDAC, you should save the confirmation shown on the website or sent to your email, if available.
A useful MDAC confirmation screenshot should show:
Your Full Name
Passport Number
Nationality
Arrival Date
Departure Date
Submission Or Registration Confirmation
Reference Number, If Shown
Email Address, If Shown
Important: if you upload a screenshot example to this blog, blur or cover personal details such as full passport number, date of birth, email address, phone number, and reference number.
MDAC Vs Malaysia Visa
MDAC and a Malaysia visa are different.
Document | What It Does |
|---|---|
MDAC | Digital arrival form before entering Malaysia |
Malaysia Visa | Pre-entry visa requirement for visa-required nationalities |
Visit Pass / Entry Stamp | Stay permission granted at immigration |
Submitting MDAC does not mean you have a visa. If your passport requires a visa for Malaysia, you must still apply for the correct visa before travelling.
Malaysia Immigration’s visa requirement page lists countries whose citizens are required to apply for a visa to enter Malaysia, and it also notes special rules, including that Indian citizens are visa-exempt until 31 December 2026.
If you need to check whether your nationality requires a visa, use Malaysia Immigration’s official visa requirement page before travelling.
Do Visa-Free Travellers Still Need MDAC?
Yes, in many cases.
Visa-free entry and MDAC are not the same thing. A traveller can be visa-free but still need to submit MDAC before arrival.
For example, if your passport does not require a Malaysia visa for a short tourist visit, you may still need to complete MDAC unless you fall under an exemption category.
This is one of the most common misunderstandings. Travellers think “I don’t need a visa” means “I don’t need any form.” That is not always true.
Do Indian Travellers Need MDAC For Malaysia?
Indian citizens have a special visa-exemption note on Malaysia Immigration’s visa requirement page until 31 December 2026, but this does not automatically remove the need to complete MDAC if entering Malaysia and not exempt from MDAC.
In simple terms:
Visa requirement: Check whether you need a Malaysia visa.
MDAC requirement: Check whether you need the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card.
Entry decision: Malaysia Immigration decides entry at the checkpoint.
If you are an Indian traveller, always check both the visa requirement and MDAC requirement before departure.
Do Transit Passengers Need MDAC?
It depends on whether you clear immigration.
If you remain airside and do not pass through Malaysia immigration, you may not need MDAC. But if your transit requires you to enter Malaysia, collect baggage, change terminals landside, stay overnight outside the airport, or pass immigration, then MDAC may apply.
The key question is: will you clear Malaysia immigration? If yes, check MDAC before travelling.
What Happens If You Do Not Submit MDAC?
If MDAC applies to you and you do not submit it, you may face delays at the airport, ferry terminal, or land checkpoint. In some cases, airline staff or immigration officers may ask you to complete it before continuing.
To avoid stress, submit MDAC before your trip instead of waiting until arrival.
You should also carry your normal travel documents, such as:
Passport
Return or onward ticket
Hotel booking or host address
Proof of funds, if asked
Visa, if required
Yellow fever vaccination certificate, if applicable
Malaysia Immigration states that travellers from countries at risk of yellow fever infection must present a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate upon arrival in Malaysia.
Common MDAC Mistakes To Avoid
Many MDAC issues happen because travellers rush the form.
Avoid these mistakes:
Submitting MDAC Too Early
Entering The Wrong Passport Number
Using The Wrong Arrival Date
Typing The Wrong Email Address
Forgetting To Save The Confirmation
Using A Third-Party Paid Website By Mistake
Assuming MDAC Replaces A Visa
Forgetting That Visa-Free Travellers May Still Need MDAC
Not Updating Details If Travel Plans Change
Waiting Until The Immigration Counter To Complete It
The biggest mistake is treating MDAC like a visa. It is not a visa. It is an arrival card.
Before Travelling To Malaysia
Before flying, check:
Your Passport Is Valid For Travel
You Know Whether Your Nationality Needs A Malaysia Visa
You Have Submitted MDAC Within 3 Days Before Arrival, If Required
Your MDAC Details Match Your Passport
Your Arrival Date Is Correct
Your Hotel Or Host Address Is Ready
You Have A Return Or Onward Ticket
You Have Proof Of Funds If Asked
You Have Yellow Fever Proof If Applicable
You Saved The MDAC Confirmation
If you are still organizing your travel documents, check Outbound Visa’s Free Visa Tools. If your case is more complex, such as unclear visa requirements, transit confusion, previous entry issues, or mixed travel documents, Visa Concierge can help review your travel preparation before departure.
You can also compare similar Malaysia entry questions in the Outbound Visa Forum.
FAQ
What Is MDAC Malaysia?
MDAC is the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card, an online arrival form that many foreign travellers must submit before entering Malaysia.
Is MDAC A Visa?
No. MDAC is not a visa. If your nationality requires a Malaysia visa, you still need to apply for that visa separately.
Who Needs To Submit MDAC?
Most foreign travellers entering Malaysia need to submit MDAC unless they fall under an exemption category.
When Should I Submit MDAC?
You should submit MDAC within 3 days before arriving in Malaysia.
Is MDAC Free?
MDAC should be submitted through the official Malaysia Immigration portal. Be careful with unofficial websites that charge extra fees.
Do Singaporeans Need MDAC?
Singapore citizens are commonly listed among MDAC-exempt travellers, but travellers should still verify the latest rule before travelling.
Do Indian Travellers Need MDAC?
Indian citizens should check both visa requirements and MDAC requirements. Malaysia Immigration notes that Indian citizens are visa-exempt until 31 December 2026, but MDAC may still apply if the traveller is entering Malaysia and not exempt.
Do Transit Passengers Need MDAC?
If you stay airside and do not clear immigration, you may not need MDAC. If you enter Malaysia during transit, check MDAC requirements.
Can I Submit MDAC At The Airport?
It is better to submit it before arrival. Waiting until the airport can cause delays.
What If I Made A Mistake On MDAC?
If you entered wrong information, submit a new MDAC or follow the correction process on the official portal if available. Make sure your final details match your passport and travel plan.
Bottom Line
MDAC is an important pre-arrival step for many foreign travellers entering Malaysia. It should be completed within 3 days before arrival, using the official Malaysia Immigration portal.
But MDAC is not a visa. If your passport requires a Malaysia visa, you still need to apply for the visa separately. If you are visa-free, you may still need MDAC unless you are exempt.
The safest approach is simple: check your visa requirement, submit MDAC on time, save your confirmation, and carry your supporting travel documents when entering Malaysia.
Sources
Immigration Department Of Malaysia — Malaysia Digital Arrival Card
https://www.imi.gov.my/index.php/en/pengumuman/malaysia-digital-arrival-card-mdac/
Malaysia Government Portal — Enter Malaysia
https://rai.malaysia.gov.my/enter
Official MDAC Portal — Malaysia Immigration
https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main
Immigration Department Of Malaysia — FAQ Malaysia Digital Arrival Card
https://www.imi.gov.my/index.php/faq_mdacjim/faq-malaysia-digital-arrival-card-mdac/
Immigration Department Of Malaysia — Visa Requirement By Country
https://www.imi.gov.my/index.php/en/main-services/visa/visa-requirement-by-country/
High Commission Of Malaysia, Singapore — Requirement For Foreigners
https://www.kln.gov.my/web/sgp_singapore/requirement_foreigner
