The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) is a simple, free process – but travelers make the same mistakes repeatedly, causing delays at check-in, portal errors, and stress before departure. This guide covers the most common MDAC mistakes and exactly how to avoid them for your Malaysia trip in 2026.
Mistake 1: Paying for MDAC at a Third-Party Site
The mistake: Many travelers click on paid search ads and end up on unofficial websites that charge USD 10 to USD 80 for “MDAC processing services.”
Why it happens: Third-party scam sites frequently appear above the free official portal in search results, especially in paid advertising positions.
The fix: Always go directly to the official Malaysian government portal: imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main. The URL ends in .gov.my – this is the only legitimate source. The real MDAC is completely free. If you are asked for payment at any point, you are on the wrong website.
Mistake 2: Submitting MDAC Too Early
The mistake: Setting a reminder to “do MDAC” weeks before departure and then being confused when the portal rejects the submission.
Why it happens: Travelers want to get it done early and out of the way. Reasonable approach – wrong timing.
The fix: MDAC can only be submitted within 3 calendar days before your arrival date in Malaysia. The portal will not accept submissions outside this window. Set your reminder for the specific date 3 days before you arrive – not before your departure, but before your Malaysia arrival date.
Mistake 3: Entering Wrong Passport Number
The mistake: Typos in the passport number – particularly confusing the letter O with the number 0, or the letter I with the number 1.
Why it happens: Passport numbers often contain both letters and numbers. The MDAC form is quick to complete and small typos are easy to miss.
The fix: Double-check your passport number character by character before submitting. Since you cannot edit a submitted MDAC, catching errors before submission saves the hassle of deleting and resubmitting. Hold your passport next to the screen and verify each digit.
Mistake 4: Not Disabling VPN Before Accessing the Portal
The mistake: Trying to access the MDAC portal with a VPN active and experiencing loading failures, timeouts, or errors.
Why it happens: Many travelers run VPNs permanently. The JIM portal blocks many VPN IP address ranges.
The fix: Disable your VPN completely before visiting the portal – including any router-level VPNs. The portal only takes 5 minutes to complete, so temporarily disabling your VPN is a minor inconvenience. After getting your QR code confirmation, you can re-enable your VPN.
Mistake 5: Using the Wrong Entry Point
The mistake: Selecting KLIA when actually flying into KLIA2 (or vice versa), or selecting the wrong airport entirely.
Why it happens: Many travelers book through aggregators without checking which specific terminal their airline uses. KLIA and KLIA2 are separate terminals – KLIA serves Malaysia Airlines and most full-service carriers, while KLIA2 serves AirAsia and other low-cost carriers.
The fix: Check your flight confirmation email or airline website to confirm which terminal you are arriving at. Select it correctly in the MDAC form’s Entry Point dropdown.
Mistake 6: Relying on Family Member’s MDAC
The mistake: Assuming one family member’s MDAC covers the whole family, or that children don’t need their own MDAC.
Why it happens: Families are used to group bookings and assume MDAC works similarly. In fact, every person – including infants – needs their own individual submission.
The fix: Each family member must complete a separate MDAC using their own passport details. A family of four needs four MDAC submissions, four QR codes, and four QR codes must be presented at immigration (one per person).
Mistake 7: Submitting MDAC Without Confirming Visa (For Visa-Required Nationalities)
The mistake: Indian, Pakistani, and other visa-required nationals completing MDAC but arriving without a valid Malaysian visa, thinking MDAC is sufficient for entry.
Why it happens: MDAC is so prominent in Malaysia travel research that some travelers mistakenly assume it replaces the visa.
The fix: MDAC and a Malaysian visa are two completely separate requirements. If your nationality requires a visa, you need both. Apply for the visa first (it takes days or weeks), then complete MDAC within 3 days before your arrival.
Mistake 8: Not Saving the QR Code Before Travel
The mistake: Assuming the confirmation email will be accessible on arrival, only to find no internet connection or the email buried in spam.
The fix: After receiving your QR code, save it in multiple places: screenshot it to your camera roll, download the PDF to your device, and forward the email to yourself. This ensures you have it available even offline at the airport.
What is the most common MDAC mistake?
Paying a third-party website for MDAC when the official registration is completely free. The official MDAC at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main costs RM 0 for all nationalities. Any website charging for MDAC is unofficial.
Can I fix a mistake in my MDAC after submitting?
No. MDAC cannot be edited after submission. To fix an error, you must delete the incorrect MDAC and submit a completely new one with the correct details. Do this as soon as you notice the error – ideally with enough time before your 3-day window opens for your trip.
What happens if I submit MDAC with the wrong passport number?
Your MDAC will contain incorrect data that does not match your actual passport. At immigration, this discrepancy may cause delays or questions. Delete the incorrect MDAC immediately and resubmit with your correct passport number, verifying each character carefully.
