The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) is mandatory for all foreign visitors entering Malaysia — effective 1 January 2024. Submit it free at the official JIM portal within 3 days before arrival. This guide covers registration, exemptions, autogate eligibility, and troubleshooting.
Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) formThe Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) is an official online pre-arrival declaration form issued by Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia (JIM) — Malaysia's Immigration Department. It replaced paper-based arrival cards and is part of Malaysia's broader Visa Liberalisation Plan to modernize immigration clearance and reduce queues at entry points.
MDAC is completely free of charge (RM 0). Any website or service that charges a fee for MDAC submission is an unauthorized third party — avoid them. The only legitimate portal is imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main, operated directly by JIM.
The MDAC is mandatory for all foreign nationals entering Malaysia, with specific exemptions. Failure to submit the form before arrival may result in delays at immigration, additional screening, or denial of entry — enforcement is at the discretion of immigration officers.
The 3-day rule means you must submit your MDAC no earlier than 3 days (72 hours) before your scheduled arrival in Malaysia. There is no minimum lead time — technically you can submit it while boarding — but submitting at least a few hours before arrival is strongly recommended.
Several categories of travelers are fully exempt from the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card requirement — they do not need to register or present a QR code at immigration.
Fully exempt. Malaysian citizens and permanent residents (PR) do not need MDAC under any circumstances.
Employment Pass, Student Pass, MM2H, Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T), and Professional Visit Pass holders are exempt while pass is valid.
Fully exempt for all modes of entry including busy Woodlands and Tuas land checkpoints at Johor Bahru.
Diplomatic and official passport holders are exempt under diplomatic agreements. GCI Brunei holders also exempt.
Brunei-Malaysia Frequent Traveller Pass holders are exempt from MDAC requirements.
Thailand Border Pass holders are exempt at designated southern border checkpoints: Padang Besar, Bukit Kayu Hitam, Rantau Panjang.
Pas Lintas Batas (PLB) holders exempt at Entikong/Tebedu (Sarawak) and designated PLB checkpoints. Standard Indonesian tourists still need MDAC.
Singapore PRs with valid Malaysian long-term passes are exempt. Singapore PRs without Malaysian long-term documents must submit MDAC.
Submit your Malaysia Digital Arrival Card at least 24–72 hours before your flight. It's free, takes 5–10 minutes, and prevents delays at immigration.
Start MDAC ApplicationThe MDAC registration takes approximately 5–10 minutes and can be completed at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main — the only official portal operated by Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia.
Go to imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main using Chrome or Firefox. Disable your VPN first — many VPN IP ranges are blocked by the JIM portal.
New users must register with a valid email address. Returning travelers log in with existing credentials. Wait for the email verification link before proceeding.
Complete all fields: personal details, passport info, flight number, arrival date, port of entry, accommodation address in Malaysia, and health declaration.
Review all information carefully. Errors cannot be corrected after submission — if you make a mistake, submit a new MDAC. There is no edit function.
After submission, a QR code is generated and sent to your registered email. Save it to your phone or print it. Present this QR code to immigration upon arrival in Malaysia.
The MDAC QR code is your proof of pre-arrival registration. It is linked to your passport number in JIM's system, so immigration officers can verify your submission even if you lose the digital copy. However, best practice is to keep the QR code accessible on your phone or as a printout.
Not all travelers with a completed MDAC can use Malaysia's e-gates (autogates) — eligibility depends on nationality, passport type, and port of entry. As of 2026, autogate access for foreign nationals is limited to 10 specific nationalities at KLIA/KLIA2 and a separate system at the Johor land border.
Foreign passport holders from 10 countries are eligible to use the e-gate (autogate) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA and KLIA2):
| Flag | Country | Nationality | E-Gate Eligible |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇺 | Australia | Australian | ✅ Yes |
| 🇧🇳 | Brunei | Bruneian | ✅ Yes |
| 🇩🇪 | Germany | German | ✅ Yes |
| 🇯🇵 | Japan | Japanese | ✅ Yes |
| 🇰🇷 | South Korea | Korean | ✅ Yes |
| 🇳🇿 | New Zealand | New Zealander | ✅ Yes |
| 🇸🇦 | Saudi Arabia | Saudi | ✅ Yes |
| 🇸🇬 | Singapore | Singaporean | ✅ Yes |
| 🇺🇸 | United States | American | ✅ Yes |
| 🇬🇧 | United Kingdom | British | ✅ Yes |
The Johor Bahru land border checkpoints (Bangunan Sultan Iskandar / BSI and Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar / KSAB) use a different e-gate system called MACS 2.0 (Malaysian Automated Clearance System 2.0).
| Feature | KLIA E-Gate | MACS 2.0 (Johor) |
|---|---|---|
| System | Standard KLIA Autogate | MACS 2.0 |
| Passport validity required | Minimum 6 months | Minimum 3 months |
| Primary users | 10 eligible foreign nationalities | Singapore citizens & Malaysia PR holders |
| Corridor | International air travel | Singapore–Malaysia daily commuter corridor |
| MDAC required | Yes (before e-gate) | Exempt for Singapore citizens |
The MDAC requirements apply to all foreign visitors regardless of nationality, with the exemptions listed above. However, the experience and considerations differ by traveler type.
Indian passport holders must submit the MDAC — there is no exemption for Indian nationals. Most Indian passport holders also require a visa to enter Malaysia (eVisa or sticker visa). The MDAC is separate from the visa — you need both.
American and British passport holders must submit the MDAC — no exemption applies based on nationality alone. US and UK citizens can enter Malaysia visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism.
International students and children each require their own MDAC submission. Children do not have a separate child form — use the standard form with the child's passport details.
Each child needs an individual MDAC tied to their own passport number. A parent or guardian creates and submits the form on the child's behalf.
International students arriving for the first time with a student visa must submit MDAC. Student Pass endorsed on arrival or after reporting to institution.
Students who already hold a valid, active Student Pass returning to Malaysia after travel abroad are exempt from MDAC for re-entry.
Transit passengers passing through Malaysian airports without clearing immigration are generally exempt from the MDAC requirement. MDAC is only required if you exit the international transit zone and enter Malaysian territory.
| Transit Scenario | MDAC Required? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Airside transit (no immigration clearance) | ❌ Not required | Stay in international departure area, do not pass through Malaysian immigration |
| Landside transit (clear immigration) | ✔ Required | Treated as full entry into Malaysia — MDAC mandatory before landing |
| Stopover with hotel stay | ✔ Required | Clearing customs and checking into hotel = full entry — MDAC required |
| Land border from Thailand | ✔ Required* | *Exempt for Thailand Border Pass holders at designated checkpoints |
| Land border from Singapore | Exempt for SG citizens | Singapore citizens fully exempt at all JB checkpoints; other nationalities need MDAC |
| Land border from Indonesia (Sarawak) | ✔ Required* | *Exempt for PLB Pas Lintas Batas holders at PLB-designated Sarawak crossings |
The only official Malaysia Digital Arrival Card portal is imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main, operated by Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia. The MDAC is completely free — cost is RM 0. Any third-party website that charges a fee is not authorized by JIM.
.gov.my suffix is reserved for Malaysian government websites
The MDAC portal occasionally causes technical issues, especially during peak travel periods. Most problems have straightforward solutions travelers can resolve before reaching the border.
Complete answers to the most common MDAC questions from travelers
The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) is a mandatory free online pre-arrival declaration form required for all foreign visitors entering Malaysia. It was introduced by Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia (JIM) as part of the Visa Liberalisation Plan and became compulsory on 1 January 2024. Travelers submit the form at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main and receive a QR code to present at immigration.
Yes. The MDAC is mandatory for all foreign nationals entering Malaysia in 2026, with specific exemptions: Singapore citizens, PR holders, long-term pass holders, diplomatic passports, and border pass holders. Mandatory enforcement began on 1 January 2024 after the grace period ended on 31 December 2023.
You can submit the MDAC up to 3 days (72 hours) before your scheduled arrival in Malaysia. There is no earlier window. If you submit the form and your travel dates change, you'll need to submit a new MDAC for the new arrival date.
Yes. The MDAC is completely free — RM 0. Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia charges nothing for MDAC registration or submission. Any third-party service charging a fee for MDAC assistance is unauthorized. Navigate directly to imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main to apply at no cost.
The official MDAC portal is imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main — operated by Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia. The URL must end in .gov.my. Do not use third-party sites that charge fees. For more details, see our Official Website & QR Code Guide.
No. Singapore citizens are fully exempt from the MDAC, including for land border crossings at Johor Bahru (Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints). This exemption applies regardless of how often they travel or which entry point they use.
If you are airside transit (staying in the international departure zone without clearing Malaysian immigration), you do not need MDAC. If you clear immigration — even for a hotel stopover — MDAC is required before landing.
Yes, if your passport is from one of the 10 eligible nationalities: Australia, Brunei, Germany, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United States, or United Kingdom. Additional requirements: passport valid for at least 6 months and height minimum 120 cm. Other nationalities must use staffed immigration counters.
Yes. Indian passport holders must submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card — there is no nationality exemption for Indian travelers. Indian nationals also typically need a visa to enter Malaysia (check eVisa eligibility). The MDAC and visa are separate requirements — you need both. See our country requirements guide for details.
No — there is no edit function for a submitted MDAC. If you made an error, submit a new MDAC with the correct information. The most recently submitted valid MDAC takes effect. Multiple submissions from the same passport are handled by the system automatically.
Yes. Each child requires a separate MDAC tied to their own passport. Parents or guardians complete and submit the form on behalf of minors. There is no family MDAC — each traveler (including infants with their own passport) needs an individual submission. See our form confirmation guide for child MDAC instructions.
Arriving without MDAC may cause delays at immigration. Officers have discretion — they may ask you to complete MDAC on-site using airport WiFi or mobile data before allowing entry. In some cases, travelers face additional screening. Repeated or deliberate non-compliance can be treated as a violation of immigration regulations.
Log in to imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main with your credentials. Your account dashboard shows submitted MDAC forms, their status (pending/approved), and allows you to download your QR code. For status check help, visit MDAC Status & Troubleshooting.
MACS 2.0 (Malaysian Automated Clearance System 2.0) is the e-gate system used at Johor Bahru land border checkpoints. It requires a minimum 3 months passport validity (compared to 6 months at KLIA e-gates). It primarily serves the Singapore–Malaysia corridor and is most relevant for Singapore citizens and Malaysian PR holders who are MDAC-exempt.
No. The MDAC and Malaysia eVisa are two entirely separate requirements. The eVisa is an entry permit required for nationalities that are not visa-exempt. The MDAC is a pre-arrival declaration required for all foreign nationals (including visa-exempt travelers). If your nationality requires a visa, you need both: a valid visa AND a completed MDAC. See our Malaysia Visa Requirements 2026 guide.
The Visa Liberalisation Plan is Malaysia's government initiative to attract more international visitors and investment by simplifying visa requirements and modernizing entry procedures. The MDAC was introduced as part of this plan to digitize the arrival card process, reduce paper waste, and speed up immigration clearance at Malaysian entry points.
Yes. The MDAC portal is mobile-friendly and can be completed on a smartphone browser (Chrome for Android or Safari for iOS recommended). You can also download your QR code directly to your phone after submission. Having the QR code on your phone is the most convenient option for presentation at immigration.
No. Holders of valid Malaysian long-term passes — including the Employment Pass, Student Pass, MM2H, and Residence Pass — are fully exempt from MDAC for the duration of their pass validity. Once a long-term pass expires, the exemption no longer applies and you must submit MDAC as a regular visitor.
Contact Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia (JIM) directly:
Provide your full name, passport number, email address, and a description of the issue. For urgent same-day travel, call the helpline rather than emailing. Visit our Troubleshooting Guide for self-service solutions.
Find detailed information on every aspect of the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card
Step-by-step walkthrough of the MDAC registration process with screenshots and form-filling tips.
Read GuideField-by-field guide to filling the MDAC form correctly — including QR code download and family submissions.
View DetailsMDAC requirements by nationality — US, UK, India, Australia, Singapore, Germany, Japan, and more.
Check Your CountryThe 3-day submission rule, deadlines, penalties, and what happens if you arrive without MDAC.
View RulesWho is exempt from MDAC — Singapore citizens, long-term pass holders, border pass holders, transit passengers.
Check ExemptionsCheck your MDAC submission status, fix portal errors, resolve QR code issues and common error codes.
Get HelpMDAC guidance specific to your traveler profile — tourist, student, business, family, transit, or frequent traveler.
Find Your TypeAccess the official MDAC portal, save your QR code safely, and identify and avoid scam websites.
Official LinkDo you need a visa for Malaysia? Complete 2026 guide to visa-free entry, eVisa, visa on arrival, and more.
Visa Guide