The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) is a free, mandatory online pre-arrival form required for virtually all foreign visitors entering Malaysia — launched 1 January 2024. Submit it within 3 days before arrival at the official IMI portal. It's free and takes only 5 minutes.
Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) formThe MDAC is Malaysia's free digital replacement for the old paper disembarkation card, mandatory for all foreign nationals entering Malaysia since 1 January 2024. Issued by Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia under the government's Visa Liberalisation Plan 2023, MDAC modernises pre-arrival immigration data collection and enables faster processing at all entry points. You complete MDAC online before you board your flight — not at the airport.
MDAC is not a visa and is not issued by any embassy. It is a pre-arrival data registration operated directly by Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia. Every foreign traveler — regardless of nationality or visa-free status — must complete MDAC unless they fall into one of the defined exempt categories.
MDAC registration takes under 5 minutes — visit the official portal, enter your passport and travel details, submit, and save your QR code confirmation. Complete this within 3 days (72 hours) before your departure.
Visit imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main — the only legitimate, free MDAC registration portal operated by Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia.
Enter your passport number, full name, nationality, flight number, travel dates, and accommodation address in Malaysia. All fields are required.
Review all details carefully and confirm — submission is instant. Do not submit MDAC earlier than 3 days before arrival per JIM guidelines.
You'll receive a confirmation email with your MDAC QR code — screenshot or print it. Present it at immigration or scan it at an eligible e-gate / autogate at KLIA.
MDAC is required for all foreign nationals entering Malaysia, regardless of nationality — with a defined set of exemptions. The vast majority of international travelers, including those from the US, UK, India, Australia, Germany, and China, must complete MDAC before every trip.
| Nationality | MDAC Required | Visa Required | E-Gate Eligible (KLIA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 US Citizens | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (90 days VF) | ✅ Yes |
| 🇬🇧 UK Citizens | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (90 days VF) | ✅ Yes |
| 🇮🇳 Indian Citizens | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (eNTRI or visa) | ❌ No |
| 🇦🇺 Australian Citizens | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (90 days VF) | ✅ Yes |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore Citizens | ❌ Exempt | ❌ No | N/A |
| 🇨🇦 Canadian Citizens | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (90 days VF) | ❌ No |
| 🇩🇪 German Citizens | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (90 days VF) | ✅ Yes |
| 🇨🇳 Chinese Citizens | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (30 days VF) | ❌ No |
MDAC is mandatory for all foreign nationals without exemption — you must submit it no earlier than 3 days (72 hours) before arrival and no later than upon arrival at the immigration counter. Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia enforces MDAC compliance at all entry points effective 1 January 2024.
You can submit MDAC on arrival at the airport, but JIM strongly recommends completing it in advance — airport Wi-Fi issues can cause unnecessary delays.
Several traveler categories are exempt from MDAC — including Singapore citizens, Brunei GCI holders, Malaysian permanent residents, diplomatic and official passport holders, and holders of valid long-term Malaysian immigration passes.
Fully exempt at all entry points — air, sea, and land. No MDAC required for any trip to Malaysia.
Diplomatic and Official passport holders are exempt from MDAC requirements at all Malaysian borders.
Malaysian Permanent Residents (PR) are exempt from MDAC on re-entry into Malaysia.
Valid Employment Pass holders are exempt from MDAC when re-entering Malaysia on an active EP.
Active Student Pass holders are exempt on re-entry — confirm pass is not expired before relying on this.
Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) pass holders are exempt from MDAC on re-entry into Malaysia.
Transit passengers who do NOT clear Malaysian immigration are exempt from MDAC requirements.
Brunei citizens holding a GCI (Gunasama Card Indonesia) are exempt from MDAC at all entry points.
Submit your Malaysia Digital Arrival Card within 3 days before arrival — it's free, takes 5 minutes, and is required at every Malaysian entry point. Don't risk delays at immigration.
Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) formThe only legitimate MDAC registration portal is operated by Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main — and MDAC registration is entirely free. Any website, agent, or service asking you to pay for MDAC is a third-party scam.
Use this 4-question checklist to confirm your MDAC preparation is complete before you travel to Malaysia. All 4 answers must be "Yes" to ensure smooth arrival at Malaysian immigration.
MDAC applies to all international visitors equally, but your specific situation as a tourist, business traveler, student, or family traveler can affect important nuances — especially around visa requirements, pass holders, and children.
MDAC is required every time you enter Malaysia, even if you've visited before. Most Western passport holders (US, UK, EU, AU, NZ) enjoy 90-day visa-free entry plus MDAC. Check if your nationality qualifies for the KLIA e-gate to speed through immigration.
MDAC for Tourists →MDAC is required on every business trip unless you hold an active Malaysian Employment Pass. If you travel to Malaysia frequently, consider bookmarking the official portal — re-registration is required for each entry.
MDAC for Business →Students with an active Malaysian Student Pass are exempt from MDAC on re-entry — but confirm your pass is valid and active (not expired). New students with study visas still need MDAC for their first entry.
MDAC for Students →Every adult traveler submits their own individual MDAC — no shared family MDAC exists. For children under 12, current JIM guidance offers special handling; check the dedicated family guide for the most up-to-date requirements.
MDAC for Families →MDAC and a Malaysia visa are entirely separate requirements — completing one does not fulfill the other. MDAC is a free pre-arrival immigration data form; a visa is authorization to enter Malaysia based on your nationality. Many travelers need both; some need only MDAC; Singapore citizens need neither.
| MDAC | Malaysia Visa | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Digital pre-arrival data form | Entry authorization document |
| Cost | Free (RM 0) | Varies by nationality and visa type |
| Who needs it | All foreign nationals (with exemptions) | Nationality-dependent |
| Where to apply | imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main | malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my |
| Apply when | 1–3 days before arrival | Weeks/months in advance |
| Result | QR code (digital, instant) | Visa stamp or e-visa approval |
| Authority | Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia (JIM) | Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia (JIM) |
The 12 most common MDAC questions answered. Click through for detailed guidance on each topic.
Yes — MDAC is mandatory for all foreign nationals entering Malaysia, with a narrow set of exemptions (Singapore citizens, diplomatic passports, long-term pass holders on re-entry). There are no nationality-based exemptions for most Western travelers. See the full exemptions guide.
Yes, completely. The official MDAC costs RM 0 at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main. There are no government fees, processing fees, or charges of any kind. Any site charging money for MDAC is a third-party scam — avoid them entirely.
The only legitimate portal is imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main, operated by Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia. The URL ends in .gov.my — any other domain is unofficial. See our official website guide for scam avoidance tips and how to identify fraudulent sites.
Submit MDAC within 3 days (72 hours) before your arrival in Malaysia — not earlier. The system is designed for short-window pre-departure submission. If your flight arrives March 20, you can submit from March 17 onwards. See MDAC mandatory rules and deadlines for edge cases (multi-leg journeys, late-night arrivals, land border crossings).
Yes — Indian passport holders must complete MDAC and also check visa requirements (eNTRI or full visa depending on purpose of visit). MDAC and the visa are two separate requirements — fulfilling one does not satisfy the other. See MDAC requirements by country for the full India-specific guidance.
Yes — Singapore citizens are fully exempt from MDAC at all Malaysian entry points (air, sea, land). They also need no visa to enter Malaysia. This is one of the few complete exemptions. Full exemption list: MDAC exemptions guide.
You may face extended processing, additional questioning, or denial of entry at the immigration officer's discretion. You cannot use e-gate / autogate without a valid MDAC QR code. Technically, MDAC can be submitted on arrival, but JIM strongly recommends submitting in advance — airport Wi-Fi is unreliable. See mandatory rules for full consequences.
No — MDAC is single-use per trip. Submit a new MDAC registration for every Malaysia entry, even if you've visited many times before. There is no long-validity or multi-entry MDAC option. Each MDAC is tied to a specific arrival date and travel details.
Present your QR code to the immigration officer at the counter, or scan it at an eligible e-gate lane (KLIA: 10 nationalities). If you lose your QR code, log back into the MDAC portal with your email address to retrieve it. See the MDAC form and confirmation guide for QR code troubleshooting.
Each traveler needs their own MDAC. Children under 12 have special guidance from JIM — requirements have evolved since the January 2024 launch. See the exemptions and special cases guide and the MDAC for families section for the most current information.
Check your spam/junk folder first. If not found, log back into imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main to retrieve your registration using the email address you registered with. Common causes: wrong email entered, spam filter, or delay from the server. See the MDAC status and troubleshooting guide for step-by-step solutions.
Technically yes — MDAC can be submitted upon arrival — but Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia strongly recommends submitting in advance to avoid airport Wi-Fi issues and immigration delays. Without a pre-submitted MDAC, you will not be able to use the e-gate / autogate lanes and may face longer manual processing queues. See MDAC registration guide.
Find detailed information on every aspect of the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card — from registration to troubleshooting
Complete guide to the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card — history, autogate, immigration process.
Complete MDAC GuideStep-by-step walkthrough of MDAC registration with screenshots, tips, and common mistakes.
Registration GuideField-by-field guide to filling the MDAC form correctly and getting your QR code.
Form GuideMDAC requirements by nationality — US, UK, India, Australia, EU, and 50+ countries.
Check Your CountryThe 3-day deadline, enforcement, consequences, and timing edge cases for every entry scenario.
View RulesSingapore citizens, diplomatic passports, long-term pass holders, children, land border rules.
Check ExemptionsOfficial portal URL, scam warning, how to identify fraudulent sites, and QR code retrieval.
Official GuideCheck MDAC status, fix common errors, no confirmation email, and error codes explained.
Get HelpTourists, business travelers, students, and families — what MDAC means for your specific situation.
Traveler TypesVisa requirements by nationality — which countries need a visa, eNTRI, and visa-free access.
Visa GuideInformation accurate as of March 2026. MDAC requirements can change — always verify at the official JIM portal before travel. Questions? Contact us.
