Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC): who fills it in and when
Most foreign visitors submit the MDAC online in the three days before arriving in Malaysia. Singapore citizens are exempt.
By Simvito · Reviewed and updated
Who fills it in
The Immigration Department of Malaysia made the MDAC mandatory for foreign visitors from 1 January 2024. It lists these exemptions:
- Citizens of Singapore.
- Diplomatic and official passport holders.
- Malaysian permanent residents and long-term pass holders.
- Holders of Brunei's General Certificate of Identity, the Brunei–Malaysia Frequent Traveller Facility, Thailand border passes and Indonesian cross-border travel documents (PLB).
When and where
Submit it on the immigration department's site, imigresen-online.imi.gov.my, within the three days before you arrive. At the immigration counter you show your MDAC registration and have your passport checked.
Keep the confirmation on your phone and as a screenshot in case the airport Wi-Fi is slow.
Getting it right
The name and passport number must match your passport exactly, and the arrival date is the day you land in Malaysia, not the day you leave home.
How long you can stay
Singapore and Brunei citizens need a visa only for stays over a month. For other passports the permitted stay is shown in the immigration department's visa list and in your entry stamp.
Data when you land
Grab works with your home phone number, so a data eSIM is enough. Install a Malaysia eSIM before you fly; most plans only start counting when they first connect in Malaysia.