The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) explained
The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) is the online arrival form of the Immigration Department of Malaysia. Most foreign citizens must submit it on one of three days: two days before they arrive, one day before, or on the arrival day.
Verified: October 27, 2026
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What the MDAC is
The MDAC is an online form of the Immigration Department of Malaysia (Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia). It collects your passport, contact and travel details and your address in Malaysia before you arrive. It has been mandatory for foreign citizens since 1 January 2024.
- Run by
The Immigration Department of Malaysia
- Official website
imigresen-online.imi.gov.my, or the MyNIISe app
- Who submits it
Foreign citizens who arrive by air, land or sea, unless they belong to an exempt group
- When
Two days before you arrive, one day before, or on the arrival day
- One form covers
One traveler. Another person may fill it in for them.
- Cost on the official website
Free
Who needs an MDAC
All foreign citizens travelling to Malaysia need an MDAC, children included, unless they belong to an exempt group. The exempt groups include citizens of Singapore, diplomatic and official passport holders, and Malaysian permanent residents and long-term pass holders. If your long-term pass was approved but you do not yet hold the physical pass, you still need an MDAC.
When to submit
The form only accepts an arrival date of today, tomorrow or the day after. So you submit on one of three days: two days before you arrive, one day before, or on the arrival day. You cannot submit a week ahead. Use the date you land in Malaysia, even after an overnight flight.
| If you arrive on | You can submit on |
|---|---|
| Friday | Wednesday, Thursday or Friday |
| Monday | Saturday, Sunday or Monday |
What the form asks for
- Passport details: full name, passport number, date of birth, nationality and expiry date, and the country of birth
- An email address and a mobile number with its country code
- The date you arrive in Malaysia and the date you leave Malaysia
- How you arrive (air, land or sea), the flight, vessel or vehicle number, and the country you travel from
- The full address of your stay in Malaysia, with state, city and 5-digit postcode
Several fields, such as the name and passport number, do not accept pasted text, so type them and check each character. The address field does not accept "NA" or "N/A".
Where to submit it
| Route | What to know |
|---|---|
| Official MDAC website | Free. One form per traveler. |
| MyNIISe app | The official Malaysian Immigration app. Immigration has announced that the MDAC can be filled in there. |
| Independent paid services | They charge for their own help, not for the MDAC. The MDAC is the same document either way. |
Before you enter passport details, check the address bar: the official website is imigresen-online.imi.gov.my, and Malaysian government websites end in .gov.my. EntryCardMalaysia is an independent paid service and is not affiliated with the Malaysian government.
After you submit
Keep the PIN and any confirmation you receive. The official Check Registration page finds your registration with the passport number, the nationality and the PIN. If a detail is wrong, the official Immigration FAQ says to submit a new MDAC with the correct information.
On arrival
You clear immigration first, then collect your bags and go through customs. Visitors from 63 countries who hold an e-passport and have submitted an MDAC may use the autogates. Other travelers show their passport at an immigration counter.
Arriving in Malaysia: KLIA, immigration and autogates · Malaysia customs rules
Families and groups
Every foreign traveler needs their own MDAC, children and babies included, unless they belong to an exempt group. One adult may fill in the forms for everyone, with each person's own passport details.
The MDAC is not a visa
The MDAC does not replace a visa and does not guarantee entry. To enter Malaysia as a visitor you also need a passport valid for more than six months, a visa if your nationality requires one, a return or onward ticket and enough money for your stay. The immigration officer at the border decides on entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)?
The online arrival form of the Immigration Department of Malaysia. Foreign citizens give their passport, travel and accommodation details before they arrive. It has been mandatory since 1 January 2024.
How early can I submit the MDAC?
Two days before you arrive at the earliest. The form accepts an arrival date of today, tomorrow or the day after.
Do I need an MDAC if I arrive by land from Singapore?
Yes, unless you belong to an exempt group. The MDAC covers arrivals by air, land and sea. Citizens of Singapore are exempt.
Is the MDAC free?
Yes. Submitting the MDAC on the official website is free. Independent services such as EntryCardMalaysia charge for their own help, not for the MDAC.
Is the MDAC a visa?
No. The MDAC is an arrival form. Whether you also need a visa depends on your nationality, and the immigration officer decides on entry.
Sources checked
- Immigration Department of Malaysia: official MDAC website · October 27, 2026
- Immigration Department of Malaysia: official MDAC registration form · October 27, 2026
- Immigration Department of Malaysia: MDAC frequently asked questions (PDF) · October 27, 2026
- Immigration Department of Malaysia: Who is eligible for MDAC (infographic) · October 27, 2026
- Immigration Department of Malaysia: autogate facilities for 63 countries (infographic) · October 27, 2026
- Immigration Department of Malaysia: MDAC can now be filled directly through the MyNIISe app · October 27, 2026
- High Commission of Malaysia, Suva: entry requirements for foreigners (MDAC free of charge) · October 27, 2026
- Immigration Department of Malaysia: Visa Requirement by Country · October 27, 2026
Want someone to check and file your MDAC?
EntryCardMalaysia is an independent paid service, not the Malaysian government. We review each traveler's details and file inside the official window, by Malaysian calendar date. The official MDAC is free if you prefer to submit it yourself.