The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) is mandatory for all foreign visitors entering Malaysia — regardless of traveler type. Every person completes their own individual MDAC at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main, free of charge, within 3 days before arrival. This guide explains exactly what your traveler type needs to know.
Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) formEvery traveler submits the same MDAC form at the same official portal — but the purpose of visit field, exemption rules, and key considerations differ. Find your traveler type below.
Select "Holiday / Tourism" as purpose of visit. Receive QR code within minutes. Valid for 30 or 90 days depending on nationality.
Cost: Free (RM 0) | Window: 3 days before arrival
Select "Business" or "Conference / Seminar / Meeting". Same portal as tourists. Employment Pass holders are exempt on re-entry.
Tip: Submit 2–3 days before to avoid last-minute issues
One MDAC per person — no family MDAC. Even infants need individual submission. Parent completes on child's behalf using child's passport details.
Note: A family of 4 needs 4 separate submissions
First arrival: MDAC required. Re-entry with active Student Pass: MDAC is NOT required — Student Pass grants exemption.
Key: First-entry vs. re-entry rule is critical
Select "Tourism" — not "Business" — unless you hold a valid Malaysian business visa. DE Rantau pass holders are exempt on re-entry.
Hostel / Airbnb addresses accepted in accommodation field
No group MDAC exists. Every traveler submits individually. Tour operators cannot file on behalf of travelers. Hostel, guesthouse, or contact address accepted.
Set a group deadline: 3 days before departure
Tourists visiting Malaysia must complete the MDAC before arrival — select "Holiday / Tourism" as your purpose of visit in the form, and you'll receive a QR code confirmation by email within minutes.
On the official portal, fill in your passport details, travel dates, flight or entry point information, and your accommodation address in Malaysia. Under "Purpose of Visit," select "Holiday / Tourism" or "Sightseeing" — this is the correct field for leisure travel, including beach holidays, city breaks, and cultural trips.
Business travelers entering Malaysia — whether for meetings, conferences, exhibitions, or negotiations — must submit the MDAC just like tourists. Select "Business" or "Conference / Seminar / Meeting" as your purpose of visit, and have your company or event details ready when completing the form.
The MDAC for business travel uses the same portal and process as tourist submissions. No additional documentation upload is required in the form itself, but you should have your itinerary ready in case border officers ask questions on arrival.
Every family member — including infants and children of any age — requires their own individual MDAC. There is no "family MDAC" option. A parent or guardian completes the form on behalf of minors using the child's own passport details.
The MDAC is mandatory for all foreign travelers entering Malaysia — regardless of your traveler type. Complete it free in 5–10 minutes at the official JIM portal. Don't wait until the airport.
Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) formInternational students arriving in Malaysia for the first time must complete the MDAC. Once enrolled and holding an active Student Pass, you are exempt from the MDAC on all subsequent re-entries. This first-entry vs. re-entry distinction is the most commonly misunderstood rule for international students.
Before your Student Pass is activated, you are a regular foreign visitor. The MDAC is mandatory on your initial entry to Malaysia — whether you arrive with a student visa sticker or a Single-Entry Visa.
Once your Student Pass is active, returning to Malaysia does not require an MDAC. The Student Pass is a long-term pass — the exemption trigger for all active long-term pass holders.
Digital nomads and backpackers visiting Malaysia on a tourist or Social Visit Pass follow the standard MDAC process — there is no separate MDAC form category for these traveler types. Select "Tourism" as your purpose of visit, regardless of whether you plan to work remotely during your stay.
There is no group MDAC option. Every traveler — whether part of an organized tour group, a school trip, a corporate delegation, or a traveling couple — must submit their own individual MDAC form using their own passport details.
Each partner submits their own MDAC using their individual passport details. There is no joint or couple MDAC option. Each receives a separate QR code and must present it individually at immigration.
Tour operators cannot submit MDAC on behalf of travelers — the system is individual-only. Each participant submits their own MDAC independently, regardless of group size. Share the official portal link and set a group deadline.
School groups and corporate delegations follow the same rule — each traveler files their own MDAC. MDAC data is tied to individual passport numbers. One passport number = one submission. Missing MDAC for one member affects only that individual.
Common questions from tourists, students, families, business travelers, digital nomads, and group travelers about the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card
Yes. The MDAC is mandatory for all foreign tourists entering Malaysia as of 1 January 2024. Submit it at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main within 3 days before arrival, free of charge. Select "Holiday / Tourism" as the purpose of visit and carry your QR code to show at immigration.
Business travelers should select "Business" or "Conference / Seminar / Meeting" depending on the nature of their visit. The MDAC form for business travelers uses the same portal as all other travelers — no additional documentation upload is required in the form itself. Have your company or event details ready in case immigration officers ask for clarification on arrival.
Yes. There is no minimum age for the MDAC requirement — every foreign visitor, including infants traveling on their own passport, needs an individual MDAC. A parent or guardian completes the form using the child's passport details. Each child receives a separate QR code — save each one individually before your trip.
First-time arrivals: Yes — the MDAC is required before your Student Pass is activated. Re-entry with an active Student Pass: No — the Student Pass is a long-term pass that grants MDAC exemption. Students should determine their pass status and expiry date before each entry to Malaysia.
Yes, on re-entry. Students holding an active Student Pass issued by Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia (JIM) are exempt from completing the MDAC when returning to Malaysia. This exemption applies only while the Student Pass remains active. On the initial arrival to activate the pass, the MDAC is still required. For full exemption details, see MDAC Exemptions & Special Cases.
No — unless you have a valid Malaysian business visa or pass. Most digital nomads enter Malaysia on a Social Visit Pass (tourist). The correct MDAC purpose of visit is "Tourism." Using "Business" without a corresponding business visa could cause issues at immigration. If you hold a DE Rantau Digital Nomad Pass, you are exempt from MDAC on re-entry.
Yes. Each traveler submits their own individual MDAC — there is no joint or couples option. Each partner uses their own passport details and receives their own QR code. Both must present their individual QR codes at immigration — you cannot use one QR code for two people.
No. The MDAC system does not support group submissions. Each traveler must submit their own MDAC independently using their personal passport number. Tour operators can assist travelers in accessing the portal and provide the official URL, but cannot file on anyone else's behalf. See MDAC Registration Guide for the step-by-step process.
No. The MDAC accepts any valid accommodation address — hotel, hostel, guesthouse, Airbnb, or a contact's address. Enter an accurate physical address where you will be staying during your visit. P.O. Box addresses are not accepted. There is no requirement for a star-rated hotel or paid accommodation to complete the MDAC.
Yes, for most travelers. Every time a foreign visitor (tourist, business traveler, first-time student) enters Malaysia, a new MDAC must be submitted — you cannot reuse a previous one. Exceptions: holders of active long-term passes (Student Pass, Employment Pass, MM2H, DE Rantau, Long-Term Social Visit Pass) are exempt from MDAC on re-entry while the pass remains valid.
Log back into the portal at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main, correct the information, and resubmit the child's MDAC. Common issues include passport number typos or incorrect date of birth format. If problems persist, contact Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia (JIM) via the MyGCC hotline at 03-8000 8000. For troubleshooting guidance, see MDAC Status & Troubleshooting.
No. Employment Pass holders are exempt from the MDAC requirement. The Employment Pass is a long-term work pass issued by Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia (JIM) — all active long-term pass holders are exempt from the MDAC when re-entering Malaysia. Once the pass expires, the exemption no longer applies and you must submit MDAC as a regular visitor.
Find detailed information on every aspect of the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card
Full overview of the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card — what it is, who needs it, how it works, and all exemption categories.
Main MDAC GuideStep-by-step walkthrough of the MDAC registration process with form-filling tips for all traveler types.
Registration StepsField-by-field guide to filling the MDAC form correctly — including QR code download and family member submissions.
Form GuideMDAC requirements and visa rules by nationality — covering 190+ countries entering Malaysia.
Check Your CountryThe 3-day submission rule, deadlines, and what happens if you arrive without a completed MDAC.
Read the RulesWho is exempt from MDAC — Student Pass holders, Employment Pass, MM2H, Singapore citizens, border pass holders.
Check ExemptionsAccess the official MDAC portal, save your QR code safely, and identify and avoid scam websites.
Official LinkCheck your MDAC submission status, fix portal errors, resolve QR code issues and common error codes.
Get HelpDo you need a visa for Malaysia? Complete 2026 guide to visa-free entry, eVisa, visa on arrival, and more.
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