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.

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:

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.

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