How to Apply for MDAC Malaysia – Step-by-Step Guide 2026

Applying for the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) is free and takes 3 to 5 minutes. You register at the official Malaysian Immigration Department portal, fill in your travel details, and receive a QR code by email that you present on arrival. This guide walks you through every step of the MDAC registration process for 2026.

What You Need Before Starting

Prepare these items before opening the MDAC portal to complete your registration without interruptions:

• Valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond your Malaysia arrival date
• Email address – you will use it to create an account and receive your QR code
• Confirmed flight details – airline name, flight number, and arrival date in Malaysia
• Entry point – the airport or border crossing you will arrive through (KLIA, KLIA2, Penang Airport, etc.)
• Accommodation address – your hotel name and full address, or your host’s address for the first night

Important: Do not start the MDAC form more than 3 days before your arrival date. The portal will not accept submissions outside this window.

Step-by-Step MDAC Application Guide

Step 1 – Go to the Official Portal

Open your browser and go to imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main. This is the only legitimate, free MDAC registration portal operated by Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia. The URL ends in .gov.my – any other domain is unofficial.

Important: Disable your VPN before accessing the portal. VPN connections are commonly blocked by the JIM server, which is the most frequent cause of the portal failing to load. Use Google Chrome for best compatibility.

Step 2 – Create Your Account

First-time registrants need to create a free account:

1. Click “Registration” on the portal homepage
2. Enter your email address and create a password
3. Check your email for a verification link from noreply@imi.gov.my
4. Click the verification link (it expires after 24 hours)
5. Your account is now active

Returning travelers who have previously visited Malaysia simply log in with their existing email and password.

Step 3 – Fill in the MDAC Form

After logging in, click “New Application” to start your MDAC form. Fill in each field accurately:

• Full name: Exactly as it appears in your passport – no abbreviations
• Passport number: Double-check for common typos (O vs 0, I vs 1, l vs 1)
• Nationality: Select from the dropdown list
• Date of birth: Use the format shown in the form
• Passport expiry date: Enter your passport’s expiry date
• Arrival date: Your scheduled arrival date in Malaysia
• Entry point: Select from the dropdown – KLIA, KLIA2, Penang International Airport, Johor Bahru CIQ, etc.
• Mode of travel: Air, Sea, or Land
• Flight/vessel number: Your flight number (e.g., MH 123)
• Purpose of visit: Tourism, Business, Education, Transit, or Other
• Accommodation: Your hotel name and full street address, or host name and address

Accommodation tip: If staying at multiple places, enter your first night’s accommodation. For Airbnb or private homes, enter the host’s full name and the property’s street address. “TBD” or vague entries will be rejected.

Step 4 – Review and Submit

Before submitting, carefully review all your details – especially your passport number and arrival date. You cannot edit a submitted MDAC; if you make an error, you must delete it and start over. When everything is correct, click Submit.

Step 5 – Save Your QR Code

Immediately after submitting, the portal generates your MDAC QR code. The code is displayed on screen and also emailed to your registered address as a downloadable PDF. Save it in multiple ways:

• Screenshot the QR code to your phone’s camera roll
• Download the PDF confirmation from your email
• Forward the email to yourself as backup

A digital copy on your phone is acceptable at immigration – you do not need to print it.

How to Use Your MDAC on Arrival

When you arrive at Malaysian immigration, show your MDAC QR code to the immigration officer alongside your passport. If your nationality is eligible for the KLIA autogate (US, UK, Australia, Germany, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Brunei), you can scan your QR code at the automated gate to bypass manual queues entirely.

Returning Traveler – How to Register Again

If you have visited Malaysia before and already have an MDAC account, you do not need to re-register. Simply log in and start a new application. Your personal and passport details will be pre-filled from your previous submission – only update your new travel details (arrival date, entry point, accommodation).

Troubleshooting Common MDAC Issues

• Portal won’t load: Disable your VPN and try again
• Form won’t submit: Open Chrome in incognito mode, clear cookies, and retry
• No confirmation email: Check your spam folder; search for noreply@imi.gov.my
• Address error message: Try putting the hotel or building name at the end of the address field
• Session expired: Complete the form without long pauses – the session times out after inactivity

How long does MDAC application take?

The MDAC form takes 3 to 5 minutes for first-time registrants (including account creation and email verification). Returning travelers who already have an account can complete a new MDAC in under 2 minutes, as personal details are pre-filled.

Can I apply for MDAC on my phone?

Yes. The MDAC portal is mobile-responsive. Google Chrome on Android or iOS gives the best results. Safari on iPhone sometimes causes form submission errors – switch to Chrome if you encounter issues. There is no official MDAC app; the portal is browser-only.

Can I apply for MDAC more than 3 days before my trip?

No. The MDAC submission window opens exactly 3 calendar days before your arrival date in Malaysia. You cannot submit earlier. Set a reminder to complete your MDAC as soon as the window opens.

What if I made a mistake on my MDAC?

You cannot edit a submitted MDAC. You must delete the incorrect submission and complete a new one with the correct details. Do this as early as possible – at least 3 days before your arrival date.

Do I need a new MDAC for each visit to Malaysia?

Yes. MDAC is single-use – one MDAC per trip entry into Malaysia. Even if you have visited Malaysia many times before, you must submit a new MDAC for each trip. The MDAC QR code from a previous visit is not valid for a new entry.