Malaysia Arrival Card (MDAC) 2026: Requirements, How to Apply & Submit Online

The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) is a mandatory requirement for foreigners entering Malaysia. Learn how to get Malaysia's MDAC—who needs it, official website, online application steps, submission timing, fees, and tips.

Do I Need to Fill in a Malaysia Arrival Card (MDAC)?

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia

Yes, all foreign nationals entering Malaysia in 2026 must complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC). Implemented on December 1, 2023, MDAC fully replaced the traditional paper arrival card system and is a mandatory immigration requirement—not a visa. MDAC applies to all entry modes (air, land, sea) and all visitor types, including tourists, business travelers, students, and work pass holders.

Every traveler needs their own MDAC, including infants and young children—group submissions are not available (each person must complete their own form)

Exceptions (no MDAC needed):

• Malaysian citizens and permanent residents
• Transit passengers who remain in the international transit area and do not clear Malaysian immigration
• Diplomats and official government representatives with special entry privileges

What is MDAC and What Does It Do?

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia

The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) is an electronic immigration form developed by Malaysia's Immigration Department (Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia) to streamline border control processes and enhance security. It serves three key purposes:

1. Records essential traveler information (personal details, travel itinerary, accommodation, health status) for immigration authorities
2. Enables faster processing at immigration counters and self-service auto gates (for eligible travelers)
3. Replaces the outdated paper arrival cards, reducing wait times and environmental impact

MDAC is separate from a visa—even visa-exempt travelers must complete it before arrival.

When to Apply & Submit a Malaysia Arrival Card?

Source: MDAC Malaysia

You can only submit your MDAC within 72 hours (3 days) of your arrival in Malaysia, including the day of arrival. The official system will not accept submissions made earlier than this window to ensure your information remains current.

Example: If your flight lands in Kuala Lumpur on 1 March, you can submit your MDAC from 28 February onwards.
For stress-free travel, submit your MDAC 1-2 days before arrival—avoid last-minute submissions (e.g., airport check-in) to prevent delays from internet issues or form errors.

How to Fill & Submit Malaysia Arrival Card (MDAC) Online

How to Fill & Submit Malaysia Arrival Card (MDAC) Online Source: MDAC Malaysia

Follow these clear steps to complete your MDAC accurately—core personal details cannot be edited after submission, so double-check every field before finalizing.

Step 1: Wait for the 72-hour submission window

Access the official MDAC portal only within 72 hours of your arrival—earlier submissions will be rejected.

Step 2: Access the official MDAC website

Go to https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main and click Register to begin the process.

Step 3: Information to Prepare

Gather these details before starting—have them ready to avoid delays:

• Personal: Passport number, full legal name (exact as passport), date of birth, nationality, gender, international contact number, email address
• Travel: Arrival date, travel mode (air/land/sea), flight/vehicle/ferry number, country of embarkation, intended departure date
• Accommodation: Full Malaysia address (state, city, postcode, street); or hotel name + complete city
• Health: Recent travel history, current health status, and any relevant vaccination information

Note: Use only passport MRZ line spelling/transliteration—no special characters, accents, or nicknames; all letters uppercase for alphanumeric fields.

Step 4: Fill in your details

Enter your personal, travel, accommodation, and health information as prompted by the form—mandatory fields are marked with * for clarity. Answer health declaration questions truthfully—false declarations may result in entry denial or fines.

Step 5: Review and confirm your details

Check every field for typos or mismatches, especially passport number and name—this is the most common cause of submission issues. Once submitted, you cannot edit core personal details (name, passport number, DOB, nationality)—only minor updates (e.g., flight time) are allowed before arrival.

Step 6: Submit and receive PIN code

After reviewing, click Submit. You will immediately receive a PIN code via email—this is essential for accessing your confirmation later.

Step 7: Verify and save your confirmation

Return to the MDAC website and click Check Registration (top right corner). Enter your passport number and PIN code to view, download, or print your confirmation document with a unique QR code. Save the PDF digitally (phone/tablet, offline access recommended) and print a physical copy as a backup—you’ll need this for airline check-in and immigration clearance.

Requirements for the Malaysia Arrival Card (MDAC)

Requirements for MDAC covers 2 sets of rules: MDAC submission requirements (to fill the form successfully) and Malaysia entry requirements (to clear immigration after submitting your MDAC). All rules are strictly enforced by Malaysian Immigration.

MDAC Submission Requirements

• Only submit via the official MDAC portal—no other channels are accepted.
• All information must match your passport exactly (spelling, numbers, dates).
• Declare all health and travel information truthfully—false declarations violate Malaysian law and may result in entry denial or fines.
• No fee is required for submission—any payment request is fraudulent.
• Each traveler must complete their own form—group submissions are not availablemdac-malaysia.com.

Malaysia Entry Requirements (Must Have for Immigration Clearance)

• Valid passport: Minimum 6 months of validity from your arrival date; must be in good condition (no tears, water damage, or missing pages).
• Return/onward ticket: Proof of departure from Malaysia (digital or printed). One-way ticket holders may be asked to explain travel plans and show proof of future travel.
• Visa (if required): MDAC is separate from a visa—ensure your visa is valid if your nationality is not visa-exempt.
• Cash proof (random check): Malaysian Immigration may ask for proof of sufficient funds: 10,000 MYR per person or 20,000 MYR per family (2+ people) in cash or equivalent foreign currency.
• MDAC confirmation: Digital or printed copy with QR code—this is non-negotiable for immigration clearance.

Fees for Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)

There is no fee to submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) via the official portal. Any website or service charging for MDAC is unauthorized and fraudulent—they offer no additional benefits and cannot speed up the submission or clearance process.

Tips for Entering Malaysia When You Arrive

Follow these simple tips to ensure a smooth immigration clearance experience in Malaysia:

1. Keep your MDAC QR code and passport handy: Have both ready for airline check-in (staff may verify) and immigration—store the QR code in your phone’s photo gallery (offline) and a printed copy in your passport holder.
2. Organize all documents in one place: Keep your MDAC confirmation, passport, visa (if applicable), return ticket, and hotel booking in a single pouch to avoid delays at the immigration counter.
3. Know the self-service auto gate rules: If you’re 16+ with an e-passport (chip-enabled) and have previously given biometrics to Malaysian Immigration (fingerprints/photo), you can use the auto gates for fast clearance. First-time visitors will need to use the manual immigration counters.
4. Answer immigration officer questions clearly: Officers may ask simple questions (e.g., “Where are you staying?”, “How long will you be in Malaysia?”, “What is the purpose of your visit?”). Have a clear, concise answer ready (e.g., “I’m staying at a hotel in Penang for 5 days for tourism”).
5. Prepare for random checks: Have your cash proof and hotel booking ready—checks are random, but being prepared avoids delays.
6. Arrive early at the airport: For international flights to Malaysia, arrive 3 hours before departure—this gives you time to fix any last-minute MDAC issues (e.g., re-submitting if there’s a minor error) and complete check-in smoothly.

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