Foreign travelers entering Malaysia are generally required to complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online before arrival. The official registration is free, and the MDAC form states that the trip must be within 3 days of submission, including the submission date. This guide focuses on the fields travelers actually see, how to check a submitted record, transit edge cases, and the official eGate eligibility page.
TL;DR: Go to the official registration website at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac. The MDAC is not a visa; it does not replace visa requirements or visa-free policies. Complete the registration within 3 days before arrival, save the confirmation, and use the official Check Registration page if you need to retrieve or verify it. If you plan to use Autogate, check the official eGate Eligibility Status page before relying on it.
I. Malaysia MDAC Registration Rules
| Requirement | Official Rule | Practical Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Official Portal | imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac | Only use the official site. Avoid third-party websites demanding processing fees. |
| Submission Window | Within 3 days prior to arrival (including arrival date) | You cannot select your travel date if you attempt to submit too early. |
| Who Needs It | Most foreign passport holders | Exemptions include Singapore citizens, long-term pass holders, and diplomatic passport holders. |
| Government Fee | Free | Official registration is entirely free. Close the window if asked for card details. |
II. Step-by-Step MDAC Registration Process
Completing the registration takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Before you start, prepare your passport, flight details, and first-night accommodation address, then fill out the official form fields:
- Enter the Portal: Visit the official website and click the "REGISTER" button to open the form.
- Fill in Personal Information:
- Name: Type your full name exactly as it appears in the machine-readable zone (MRZ) at the bottom of your passport page, including any middle names.
- Passport No. & Date of Passport Expiry: Carefully type your passport number and expiration date (in DD/MM/YYYY format).
- Nationality / Citizenship & Place of Birth: Select your nationality and birth country from the dropdown menus.
- Date of Birth & Sex: Select your birth date and sex.
- Email Address & Confirm Email Address: Double-type your email address to ensure accuracy for receiving the confirmation.
- Country / Region Code & Mobile No.: Choose your country calling code and enter your phone number.
- Fill in Traveling Information:
- Date of Arrival & Date of Departure: Enter your scheduled arrival and departure dates. The system requires your trip dates to be within 3 days of submission (Please note that your trip must be within 3 days).
- Mode of Travel: Select your mode of transport (Air, Land, or Sea).
- Last Port of Embarkation before Malaysia: The city where you boarded your flight or transportation to Malaysia (e.g., write Beijing for direct flights from Beijing, or Singapore if transiting through or starting from Singapore).
- Flight / Vessel / Transportation No.: Type your flight number, vessel name, or bus/transport number.
- Fill in Accommodation Details:
- Accommodation of Stay: Select your lodging type (Hotel, Residence, or Others).
- Address (In Malaysia): Enter the physical address of your hotel or stay location. Important: The system only accepts alphanumeric characters (Please key-in alphanumeric only). Do not enter commas
,, hash signs#, or other special punctuation, otherwise the form will throw an error and block submission. - State & City & Postcode: Select the corresponding Malaysian state, city, and enter the postal code.
- Slide the Puzzle and Submit:
- Drag To Verify: Slide the puzzle piece to complete the image verification box (Slide the Puzzle).
- Click the blue SUBMIT button. Upon success, a confirmation email containing your PIN code and a PDF attachment will be sent to your email address. Save the PDF to your phone for border inspection.
III. Avoidance Guide: Common Traveler Questions and Pitfalls
Q: Why is there no QR code in my MDAC confirmation PDF?
Do not assume every confirmation layout will look like a QR-based arrival card from another country. If your confirmation shows a PIN, barcode, or PDF without the QR code you expected, go back to the official portal and use Check Registration with your passport details and PIN to verify the record. Save the current confirmation on your phone in case an airline or immigration officer asks to see it.
Q: I made a typo in my name, passport number, or dates. How do I edit my submission?
The public MDAC registration flow does not provide a simple edit button after submission. If you realize you made a spelling mistake or entered wrong dates, submit a fresh registration with the correct details on the official portal, then use Check Registration to confirm the record you plan to travel with. Keep only the confirmation that matches your passport and arrival details.
Q: Do I need to submit the MDAC if I am only transiting through Kuala Lumpur?
If you are traveling on a single ticket (connecting flight) and do not clear immigration (remain in the transit hall), you do not need to fill out the MDAC. However, if you are traveling on separate tickets and need to clear border control to retrieve and recheck your baggage, or if you have a long layover and want to enter the city, you must complete it.
Q: I am only transiting or do not have a hotel booking yet. What should I write in the address field?
The address is a mandatory field. If you do not have a booking or are entering for a brief period, you can enter the name of your transit hotel (e.g., Sama-Sama Express), the airport terminal address, or the name of a tentative hotel you plan to visit.
Q: I am a first-time visitor. Can I use the Autogates immediately on arrival?
Do not assume. Malaysia provides an official eGate Eligibility Status page for checking whether your passport and arrival details are eligible. If the eGate page does not confirm eligibility, or if airport staff direct you to a manual counter, follow the officer's instructions instead of forcing the Autogate lane.
IV. How to Improve Form Filling Efficiency?
The official Malaysian MDAC website does not support saving drafts. If you are preparing details for several family members or travelers, typing repeated passport, travel, and lodging details on an unstable portal can be tedious.
The eVisaFlow Chrome extension can fill saved passport, traveler, trip, and intended address details on the relevant official website, reducing manual typing errors and saving time.
