Who Needs the MDAC, Who Is Exempt, and When to Submit
All foreign citizens travelling to Malaysia must complete the MDAC, unless they belong to an exempt group such as Singapore citizens or holders of a Malaysian long-term pass. You can submit it on one of three days: two days before you arrive, one day before you arrive, or on the day you arrive.
Verified: October 27, 2026
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Who must submit
The Immigration Department of Malaysia says that all foreign citizens travelling to Malaysia must complete the MDAC. It has been mandatory since 1 January 2024, except for the groups listed below.
The official form has options for arrival by air, land and sea. Every traveler needs their own MDAC. Another person may fill it in for them, for example a parent for a child.
Who is exempt
- Citizens of Singapore
- Diplomatic and official passport holders
- Malaysian permanent residents and long-term pass holders
- Holders of a General Certificate of Identity (GCI) from Brunei Darussalam
- Holders of the Brunei-Malaysia Frequent Traveler Facility
- Holders of a Thailand Border Pass
- Holders of an Indonesian Cross-Border Travel Document (PLB)
The official Immigration FAQ gives examples of long-term visit passes issued by the Immigration Department: the Employment Pass, the Temporary Work Visit Pass and the Student Pass. Passes issued in Singapore do not count: if you live in Singapore as a permanent resident or on a work or student pass, see MDAC for Singapore residents.
Airline crew and transit passengers
| Situation | MDAC needed? |
|---|---|
| International airline crew on duty who submit the General Declaration at the crew inspection counter | No |
| Transit at KLIA within the same terminal, without going to the immigration counter | Highly recommended, in case you must enter Malaysia in an emergency |
| Landing at KLIA Terminal 1 and flying on from Terminal 2 or from another Malaysian airport, such as Subang | Yes |
For the emergency-only transit case, the official FAQ says to choose Others under Accommodation of Stay and to enter "In Case of Emergency - Transit Only" with your flight number as the address. The form also asks for a state, city and postcode, and the FAQ does not say what to enter there. If you are unsure, use the contact link on the official MDAC website or contact us before you order.
When to submit
- Earliest
Two days before the day you arrive. The form counts the day you submit as the first of the 3 days in which you may arrive.
- Latest
Before you arrive. The form accepts today as the arrival date.
- Where
The official MDAC website or the MyNIISe app
- Cost on the official website
Free
| If you arrive on | You can submit on |
|---|---|
| Friday | Wednesday, Thursday or Friday |
| Monday | Saturday, Sunday or Monday |
If you are not sure
The MDAC is not a visa. Whether you also need a visa depends on your nationality: see Malaysia entry requirements. For families and groups, see MDAC for families. For our service, each traveler's answers are checked before payment, and an exemption pauses checkout for a review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Singapore citizens need an MDAC?
No. Citizens of Singapore are on the official list of exempt travelers.
Do children need an MDAC?
The official exemptions are based on nationality, passport type and passes, not on age. A child who is a foreign citizen and not in an exempt group needs an MDAC. A parent may fill it in.
Can I submit my MDAC a week before my trip?
No. The official form only accepts an arrival date of today, tomorrow or the day after. Submit it on the arrival day or on one of the two days before it.
I have a Malaysian long-term pass. Do I need an MDAC?
No, holders of a Malaysian long-term pass are exempt. If your pass was approved but you have not received the physical pass yet, you need an MDAC.
I only change planes at KLIA. Do I need an MDAC?
If you stay in the same terminal and do not go to immigration, the official FAQ highly recommends an MDAC in case you must enter Malaysia in an emergency. If you move from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2, or fly on from another Malaysian airport, you need one.
Sources checked
- Immigration Department of Malaysia: Who is eligible for MDAC (infographic) · October 27, 2026
- Immigration Department of Malaysia: MDAC frequently asked questions (PDF) · October 27, 2026
- Immigration Department of Malaysia: official MDAC registration form · October 27, 2026
- Embassy of Malaysia, Beirut: MDAC update and exemptions · October 27, 2026
- Immigration Department of Malaysia: official MDAC website · October 27, 2026
Order now, filed when the window opens
EntryCardMalaysia is an independent paid service. You can order before the window opens; we file inside it, by Malaysian calendar date. The official MDAC is free if you prefer to submit it yourself.