What is the MDAC?
The MDAC replaced the paper arrival card. It sends your travel details to Malaysian immigration before you land. It is not a visa: if your nationality needs a visa, you still need one, and you still pass through passport control.
Official website
Apply only on the Immigration Department of Malaysia portal: imigresen-online.imi.gov.my. Copycat websites charge “service fees” for the same form, so be careful with search ads.
How to fill in the MDAC, step by step
- Open the official MDAC page and choose Register.
- Enter your passport details exactly as printed: full name, passport number, nationality, date of birth and gender.
- Add your email and phone number.
- Enter your arrival date, flight, ferry or vehicle number, the place you’re coming from and your departure date.
- Add your accommodation address in Malaysia (a hotel name and city is fine).
- Answer the health and recent travel questions, then submit.
- Look for the confirmation email and keep a screenshot. You may be asked to show it.
Some details can’t be edited after you submit, so double-check your passport number. Families need one submission per traveller.
When to submit
You can submit only within the 3 days before arrival, including the day you arrive. Earlier submissions aren’t accepted. Doing it 1–2 days before your flight is ideal.
Who is exempt?
- Malaysian citizens and permanent residents.
- Transit passengers who stay airside and don’t pass through Malaysian immigration.
- Diplomats and certain official travellers.
Rules for specific nationalities and land border crossings (such as from Singapore) can change, so check the official portal before you go.
Visa-free stays in Malaysia
| Passport | Visa-free stay (typical) |
|---|---|
| USA, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand | Up to 90 days |
| Japan, South Korea, Singapore | Up to 90 days |
| China, India | Up to 30 days under a temporary visa-free scheme (check it’s still in force) |
| Other nationalities | Varies from 14 to 90 days, or eVISA required |
Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months on arrival. Check your own nationality on the Immigration Department of Malaysia website.
Autogates at the airport
Many visitors with chip-enabled e-passports can use automated gates at KLIA after their first visit, once their fingerprints have been recorded by an officer. On a first visit, expect to use the manual counters.
Before you fly
- Get travel insurance: medical care in private hospitals is good but not cheap.
- Buy an eSIM so you can call a Grab on arrival.
- Plan your transfer with KLIA to Kuala Lumpur.
More Kuala Lumpur guides
- Kuala Lumpur travel guide
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- Kuala Lumpur itinerary: 2, 3 or 4 days
- Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur
- Best time to visit Kuala Lumpur
- KLIA to Kuala Lumpur city
- Batu Caves guide
- Malacca day trip from Kuala Lumpur
FAQ: Malaysia Digital Arrival Card
Is the MDAC free?
Yes. The official MDAC is completely free.
What happens if I forget the MDAC?
You may be asked to complete it at the airport before passing immigration, which can delay you. Submit it online before your flight.
Do I need the MDAC if I’m only transiting through KLIA?
Not if you stay in the international transit area. If you leave the airport, you need it.
Do I need to print the MDAC?
No, but keep the confirmation email or a screenshot on your phone.
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