Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC): free registration guide
Free, mandatory for most foreign visitors, and submitted online before arrival. Clear answers without the confusion or commercial markups.
Submit online from 3 days prior. Receive your confirmation instantly to show at entry.
Who must submit?
All non-Malaysian citizens, except Singapore citizens, diplomatic passport holders, and permanent residents.
When should you apply?
Within 3 days before your arrival date (including the day of arrival). Early submissions will not be accepted.
How much does it cost?
Nothing. The official MDAC is 100% free. If a website asks for payment, it is an unofficial third-party service.
Submit your arrival card directly on the official Malaysian government portal
Complete your pre-arrival registration directly with the Immigration Department with no fees, no middlemen, and instant confirmation.
Opens the Malaysian Immigration website in a new tab. We do not process applications or store personal data.
Find your answer
Detailed, independent walk-throughs verified against official immigration guidelines.
Who needs an MDAC
Complete exemption list, nationality rules, transit passengers, and special passport status rules.
How to fill it in
Field-by-field instructions, required documents, common validation mistakes, and submission tips.
Is it free?
Why there are zero application fees and how commercial intermediaries exploit unwitting tourists.
When to submit
Understanding the strict 3-day window, time zone variances, and departure flight timing.
For Singapore travellers
Land border crossing specifics at Causeway and Second Link, plus Singapore citizen exemption rules.
Spotting fake websites
Red flags of copycat portals charging $40–$90 for free forms and how to safely navigate to the gov site.
Interactive Travel Tools
Self-contained calculators and tools to simplify your pre-flight border preparation.
Eligibility Checker
Answer 3 simple questions about citizenship and passport type to determine if your party requires submission.
Submission Date Calculator
Enter your flight arrival date to calculate the exact opening and closing timestamps in Malaysian Standard Time (MYT).
Pre-Departure Checklist
Step-by-step checklist of documents, return tickets, and accommodation proofs needed at immigration control.
Checked against official sources
Continuously reconciled with Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia gazettes and official circulars.
Free, always — we never charge
A public service guide supported by open educational research. No hidden checkout screens.
We never collect your details
No registration forms, no databases, and zero tracking cookies recording your passport number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick clarity on common border crossing situations.
Do transit passengers without passing immigration need MDAC?
No. If your transit flight is on the same ticket and you remain airside within the international terminal area (KLIA Terminal 1 or Terminal 2) without clearing border control, you do not need to register an MDAC.
Can I edit my submission if my flight or hotel details change?
You cannot edit a previously submitted record. However, you can simply submit a fresh declaration using the same passport details within the 3-day window; the Malaysian immigration system automatically overwrites and recognizes the latest submission.
What happens if I arrive without filling it in?
You will not be turned away immediately, but you will be directed out of the main passport queue to free airport Wi-Fi counters to fill it on your smartphone before being allowed through immigration, causing significant travel delays.
Are children and infants required to have an MDAC?
Yes. Every single foreign passport holder, regardless of age, must have an individual arrival card registered. Parents or guardians can submit on behalf of their minors using the child's distinct passport number.
Can I use the automated immigration e-gates at KLIA?
Eligible biometric passport holders from 63 approved countries (including Singapore, Australia, UK, USA, EU nations, Japan, and Korea) can use the automated e-gates, provided they submit the MDAC prior to arrival and have completed initial biometric enrollment.