MDAC Malaysia FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions 2026

The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) is a free, mandatory online pre-arrival registration form that all foreign nationals must complete before entering Malaysia. It replaced the old paper disembarkation card. Issued by Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia, MDAC has been mandatory since 1 January 2024. After submitting, you receive a QR code that serves as your arrival confirmation at Malaysian immigration.

Yes. MDAC is mandatory for virtually all foreign nationals entering Malaysia since 1 January 2024. The only exceptions are Singapore citizens (exempt by nationality) and travelers holding specific documents such as diplomatic passports, Employment Passes, or Student Passes on re-entry. All tourists, first-time visitors, and business travelers must complete MDAC.

Yes, completely free. The official MDAC registration at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main costs RM 0 for all nationalities. Any website charging for MDAC is an unofficial third party. Do not pay for MDAC.

Apply at the official portal operated by Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia: imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main. This is the only legitimate MDAC registration site. The URL ends in .gov.my. Any other domain is unofficial. Disable your VPN before accessing the portal.

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 from the previous trip.

You can apply for MDAC within 3 calendar days before your scheduled arrival date in Malaysia. The portal will not accept submissions made more than 3 days in advance. The submission window closes at your arrival time at Malaysian immigration. Submit as soon as your 3-day window opens for the most comfortable timing.

No. The MDAC portal only accepts submissions within the 3-day window before your arrival. If you try to submit earlier, the system will reject it. Set a reminder for 3 days before your trip.

Yes, technically. Same-day submission is allowed. However, airlines may ask for your QR code at check-in, so have it ready before going to the airport. Portal slowness or technical issues at the last minute could cause delays. Always submit as soon as your 3-day window opens.

MDAC does not have a separate expiry – it is valid for the specific arrival date you registered. If your travel dates change, delete your MDAC and submit a new one with the correct arrival date. MDAC is single-use – one per trip entry.

Only Singapore citizens are exempt from MDAC based on nationality. This applies at all Malaysian entry points – air, land, and sea. All other exemptions are document-based: diplomatic passports, official passports, Employment Pass, Student Pass, MM2H, Brunei GCI/BMFTP, and Thailand/Indonesia border passes.

Yes. All foreign nationals, including newborn infants and children of any age, must have their own individual MDAC. A parent or guardian completes the form using the child’s passport details. Each child receives their own QR code. A family of four needs four separate MDAC submissions.

Yes. MDAC and a Malaysian visa are separate requirements. Having a valid visa does not exempt you from completing MDAC. Nationalities that need both (such as Indian, Pakistani citizens) must obtain both: the visa for entry authorization, and the MDAC as the pre-arrival declaration.

Airside transit passengers who remain in the international zone without clearing Malaysian immigration do not need MDAC. If you clear immigration – even briefly – MDAC is required. Check with your airline if your layover involves leaving the secured airside area.

The most common cause is an active VPN. Disable your VPN completely and reload the page. Other fixes: use Google Chrome instead of Safari, open in incognito/private mode, clear your browser cache, or connect via WiFi instead of mobile data.

Check your spam/junk folder first – search for emails from noreply@imi.gov.my. Also check WhatsApp, as confirmation is also sent there. If still missing, use the “Check Registration” function on the portal with your passport number to verify your submission and re-download your QR code.

You cannot edit a submitted MDAC. 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. The new submission replaces the old one.

Yes. The MDAC portal works on mobile browsers. Use Google Chrome on Android or iOS for best results. Safari on iPhone sometimes causes submission errors. There is no official MDAC app – the portal is browser-based only. Any app in the App Store or Google Play claiming to be an official MDAC app is unofficial.

No. A digital copy on your phone is accepted at all Malaysian immigration checkpoints. Screenshotting the QR code or saving the PDF on your device is sufficient. A printed copy is a good backup but not required.

Airlines may deny boarding at your origin airport if you cannot show your MDAC QR code at check-in. At Malaysian immigration, arriving without MDAC may result in extended processing, secondary screening, and potential denial of entry. There is no on-arrival MDAC desk – the only option is completing it before arrival.

Yes, if your nationality is on the eligible list. The 10 nationalities eligible for KLIA autogate are: US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Brunei, and Singapore. You need a biometrically-chipped passport and a completed MDAC QR code to use the autogate.