Chinese citizens must submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) before every entry to Malaysia — MDAC is mandatory even under the current 30-day temporary visa exemption valid until 31 December 2026. MDAC is completely free (RM 0), takes under 10 minutes at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main, and must be submitted within 72 hours before scheduled arrival. Chinese passport holders are not eligible for the KLIA autogate — use the standard manned immigration queue. Stays exceeding 30 days require a Malaysia eVisa applied before travel.
Submit MDAC as a Chinese Citizen — FreeYes — Chinese citizens must submit MDAC before every entry to Malaysia; there is no MDAC exemption for Chinese passport holders, even under the current 30-day temporary visa-free arrangement. The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card became mandatory for all foreign nationals on 1 January 2024, replacing the paper-based arrival card previously issued at immigration counters. China (People's Republic of China) does not appear on any MDAC exemption list published by Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia (JIM).
MDAC is entirely separate from visa status. Because Chinese passport holders currently benefit from a temporary visa exemption, you will not apply for a visa — but MDAC must still be submitted before departure. For exemption categories (Singapore citizens, long-term pass holders), see our MDAC exemptions guide.
Chinese citizens currently enjoy a 30-day temporary visa-free entry to Malaysia per visit, but this arrangement is time-limited and expires on 31 December 2026 — after which Chinese passport holders may need to obtain a visa before travel. The bilateral arrangement was introduced as part of a mutual China–Malaysia visa exemption agreement for short-stay tourism and business visits.
For Malaysia's full visa policy and nationality-specific entry rules, see our Malaysia visa requirements guide.
Chinese citizens are NOT eligible to use the KLIA autogate (eGate) for immigration clearance — China is not on the approved nationality list, and Chinese passport holders must use the standard manned immigration counter on arrival at all Malaysian airports. This is a critical practical detail for Chinese travelers: the eGate automated lane uses biometric passport scanning and facial recognition, but access is restricted to specific approved nationalities.
Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia has expanded the eGate approved list over time to include the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Germany, France, and several other nations. Chinese citizens are not currently included, regardless of MDAC submission status or visa-free eligibility.
Note: During peak hours at KLIA, standard queue wait times can reach 30–60 minutes. Plan transit connections accordingly.
| Country | eGate Eligible | Stay Limit (Visa-Free) |
|---|---|---|
| United States | ✅ Yes | 90 days |
| United Kingdom | ✅ Yes | 90 days |
| Japan | ✅ Yes | 90 days |
| South Korea | ✅ Yes | 90 days |
| Germany | ✅ Yes | 90 days |
| China (PRC) | ❌ Not eligible | 30 days (temp., until Dec 2026) |
For full autogate eligibility by nationality, see our MDAC requirements by country or our MDAC exemptions guide.
If Chinese citizens need to stay in Malaysia for more than 30 days, they must apply for a Malaysia eVisa before travel — the 30-day temporary visa exemption cannot be extended from within Malaysia, and overstaying carries fines starting from RM 1,000 per day of overstay, detention, and entry bans. The eVisa is the correct route for longer stays.
Plan your exit date carefully or apply for an eVisa if your stay exceeds 30 days. For full visa options, see our Malaysia visa requirements guide.
Submit your MDAC at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main within 72 hours before your arrival — the pre-arrival declaration is free (RM 0), requires no account or login, and generates a QR code confirmation in under 10 minutes. Chinese passport holders complete the same universal MDAC form as all other nationalities — there is no separate Chinese-language version.
Open imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main in your browser — no app download or account creation is required. The portal is mobile-optimised and works on any device including smartphones.
Fill in your full name exactly as it appears in the Romanised field of your Chinese passport, passport number, date of birth, passport expiry date. Select China as your nationality. Any mismatch with your physical passport will be flagged at the immigration counter.
Provide your arrival date, flight number, and select your arrival airport (KLIA, KLIA2, Penang International, Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu, or Kuching). Select your purpose of visit: Tourism, Business, Transit, or Education.
Provide the address of your first night's accommodation in Malaysia — hotel name, street address, city, and postcode. If staying at multiple properties, enter only the first. MDAC does not require a full itinerary.
Double-check all fields match your Chinese passport exactly — especially your Romanised name and passport number. The most common cause of immigration delays is a mismatch between MDAC data and the physical passport presented at the counter.
The system generates a QR code immediately on-screen and emails it to the address you provide. Screenshot the QR code as a backup — airport WiFi can be unreliable. Present this QR code to the immigration officer at the standard counter on arrival. For a full walkthrough, see our MDAC registration guide.
Every Chinese citizen entering Malaysia in 2026 must satisfy two independent requirements: a valid Chinese passport establishing temporary visa-free eligibility (until 31 December 2026), and a completed MDAC submission generating a QR code — the KLIA autogate lane is not available for Chinese passport holders.
| Requirement | Status for Chinese Citizens | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Visa | ✅ Not required (until 31 Dec 2026) | 30-day temporary exemption — may change after Dec 2026 |
| MDAC | ✅ Required — mandatory | Submit at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main |
| MDAC fee | ❌ None — RM 0 | Free; any site charging a fee is unauthorized |
| Maximum stay (visa-free) | 30 days per single entry | Cannot extend from within Malaysia — requires eVisa for longer stays |
| KLIA eGate (autogate) | ❌ Not eligible | Standard manned immigration queue required |
| Stays >30 days | eVisa required | Apply before travel at malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my |
| Children (Chinese passport) | ✅ MDAC required | Each traveler including minors needs individual MDAC |
| Submission window | Within 72 hours before arrival | Cannot submit earlier; one per trip, per person |
For the full list of MDAC requirements by nationality, or for Malaysia's current visa policies, see our Malaysia visa requirements guide.
The most common mistake Chinese travelers make is confusing the 30-day visa exemption with a full entry clearance — MDAC must be submitted separately, and failing to do so before arrival can result in secondary screening or refusal of entry at Malaysian immigration.
The 30-day visa exemption only removes the need for a visa sticker or eVisa application. MDAC is a completely separate pre-arrival declaration — all foreign nationals including visa-free Chinese citizens must submit it before arrival.
Chinese passport holders cannot use the KLIA autogate (eGate). Join the standard "Foreign Nationals" queue. During peak periods at KLIA, wait times can reach 30–60 minutes — plan transit connections accordingly.
Enter your name exactly as it appears in the Romanised field of your Chinese passport. Name and passport number mismatches are the leading cause of immigration delays and secondary screening for Chinese travelers.
The 30-day visa exemption cannot be extended from within Malaysia. Overstaying by even one day carries fines from RM 1,000/day, possible detention, deportation, and entry bans of 1–5+ years. Apply for an eVisa before travel if you plan to stay longer.
The MDAC submission window opens exactly 72 hours before your arrival date. Attempting to submit earlier will result in a portal error. Set a calendar reminder to submit 1–3 days before your flight departure.
Only use imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main. MDAC is always free (RM 0) on the official JIM portal. Any website charging fees for MDAC submission is unauthorized and may submit incorrect data on your behalf.
Common questions Chinese travelers ask about the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card — MDAC requirements, the 30-day temporary visa exemption deadline, autogate eligibility, and entry rules for Chinese passport holders.
Yes. MDAC is mandatory for all Chinese passport holders entering Malaysia, regardless of the current temporary visa exemption. Submit the free declaration at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main within 72 hours before your scheduled arrival. MDAC is entirely separate from your visa status.
Chinese passport holders may stay in Malaysia for up to 30 days per single entry without a visa under the current temporary bilateral exemption. This arrangement is valid until 31 December 2026. After that date, visa requirements may change — check imi.gov.my before booking travel beyond December 2026. For stays exceeding 30 days, a Malaysia eVisa must be applied for before travel.
The temporary 30-day visa exemption for Chinese citizens expires on 31 December 2026. As of March 2026, no official extension announcement has been made by either the Malaysian or Chinese governments. Monitor imi.gov.my for updates, especially if planning travel to Malaysia in 2027 or beyond.
No. Chinese passport holders are not eligible for the KLIA autogate (eGate). China is not on the approved nationality list for automated immigration clearance at KLIA or KLIA2. Proceed to the standard "All Passports / Foreign Nationals" manned queue and present your Chinese passport and MDAC QR code to the officer. This differs from nationalities like the US, UK, Japan, and South Korea, which are eGate eligible.
Yes — MDAC is completely free (RM 0) on the official JIM portal at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main. No account, payment, or photograph is required. Any website or service charging fees for MDAC "assistance" or "processing" is unauthorized and not affiliated with Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia.
No. The 30-day visa exemption and MDAC are two completely separate requirements. The visa exemption removes the need for a visa sticker or eVisa application — it does not remove the mandatory MDAC digital declaration. Both must be satisfied independently before entry. Arriving without MDAC can trigger secondary screening or refusal of entry even if you are visa-exempt.
You must apply for a Malaysia eVisa before travel via malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my. The 30-day temporary visa exemption cannot be extended from within Malaysia. Overstaying by even one day is a criminal offence — penalties include fines starting from RM 1,000 per day of overstay, detention, deportation, and an entry ban of 1–5+ years. Even with an eVisa, MDAC must still be submitted separately before arrival.
Yes. Every traveler entering Malaysia — including infants and children — requires an individual MDAC submission. Parents cannot submit a single MDAC covering multiple family members. Each Chinese passport holder in the family group needs a separate MDAC registration at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main.
Yes. MDAC is required at all Malaysian entry points — including land border crossings such as Johor Bahru (JB) from Singapore, Bukit Kayu Hitam from Thailand, and all sea ports. Chinese travelers crossing overland must submit MDAC in advance exactly as for air arrivals. For special cases and exemptions, see our MDAC exemptions guide.
Arriving without a valid MDAC QR code may result in secondary screening at the immigration counter, delays while you complete the form on airport WiFi, or at the officer's discretion, refusal of entry. MDAC has been mandatory since 1 January 2024 and enforcement at KLIA and other entry points is active. Always submit MDAC before travelling to avoid complications.
No. There is one universal MDAC form in English at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main. You will select China as your nationality during registration. All fields should be completed with Romanised spelling exactly as shown in the Romanised/Pinyin section of your Chinese passport. No Chinese-language separate form or portal exists.
Yes. MDAC is required regardless of visa type. Whether entering visa-free on the 30-day temporary exemption, on a Malaysia eVisa, or on any other visa category, all Chinese nationals must submit MDAC within 72 hours before their scheduled arrival. MDAC is the pre-arrival declaration form and is mandatory for all entry purposes.
Find detailed information on every aspect of the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card
Full overview of Malaysia Digital Arrival Card — registration, exemptions, autogate eligibility, and QR code confirmation.
Read GuideStep-by-step walkthrough of the MDAC registration process for Chinese citizens — from portal access to QR code.
Register MDACMDAC requirements by nationality — how Chinese citizen rules compare to US, UK, Japan, and other passport holders.
Check Your CountryMDAC requirements for Indian passport holders — visa-on-arrival eligibility, MDAC rules, and entry requirements.
Indian Citizens GuideWho is exempt from MDAC — Singapore citizens, long-term pass holders, transit passengers, and special categories.
Check ExemptionsFull overview of Malaysia's visa policies for Chinese citizens — temporary exemption details, eVisa options, and overstay rules.
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