MDAC Eligibility Requirements
Determine if you need a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card before your journey. Understanding eligibility criteria ensures smooth entry into Malaysia.
Who Needs an MDAC?
The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) is a mandatory pre-arrival registration system for all foreign nationals entering Malaysia, regardless of nationality or visa status. This digital system replaces the traditional paper arrival cards that were previously filled out on aircraft or at immigration counters. The MDAC initiative is part of Malaysia's digital transformation efforts to streamline border control processes, enhance security measures, and improve the overall travel experience for millions of visitors entering the country each year.
Universal Requirement
All Foreign Travelers Must Complete MDAC
Every foreign national, regardless of their country of origin, purpose of visit, or visa status, must complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card before entering Malaysia. This includes tourists, business travelers, students, expatriates, and even those transiting through Malaysian airports if they plan to enter the country. The MDAC requirement applies universally to ensure consistent data collection and efficient immigration processing for all international arrivals.
The system covers travelers arriving by all modes of transportation, including air travel through international airports such as Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Penang International Airport, and others, as well as land border crossings from Thailand, Singapore, and Brunei. Even cruise ship passengers disembarking at Malaysian ports must have their MDAC completed prior to arrival. This comprehensive coverage ensures that Malaysian immigration authorities have complete and accurate information about all foreign visitors entering the country.
Categories of Travelers Required to Complete MDAC
Tourist Visitors
All tourists entering Malaysia for leisure, sightseeing, vacation, or visiting friends and relatives must complete the MDAC. This applies whether you're visiting for a few days or the maximum tourist stay period allowed for your nationality.
Business Travelers
Business professionals traveling to Malaysia for meetings, conferences, trade shows, negotiations, or business development activities must submit their MDAC before arrival, regardless of the duration of their business trip.
Students and Academics
International students enrolled in Malaysian educational institutions, researchers, academics attending conferences, and exchange program participants must complete the MDAC for each entry into Malaysia.
Work Pass Holders
Expatriates and foreign workers holding Malaysian employment passes, work permits, or professional visit passes must complete the MDAC when entering or re-entering Malaysia, even if they are long-term residents.
Transit Passengers
Travelers transiting through Malaysia who plan to leave the airport and enter the country, even for a short period, must complete the MDAC. Pure airside transit passengers who remain in the international zone are exempt.
Family Visit Pass Holders
Foreign nationals holding Long-Term Social Visit Passes for family visits, including spouses and dependents of Malaysian citizens or residents, must complete the MDAC for each entry into the country.
MDAC Applies to Both Visa-Free and Visa-Required Travelers
Visa-Free Travelers
Citizens from countries that enjoy visa-free entry to Malaysia still must complete the MDAC before arrival. Visa-free status means you don't need a visa to enter Malaysia, but the digital arrival card is a separate requirement that applies to all foreign nationals without exception.
This includes nationals from ASEAN countries, Commonwealth nations with visa exemptions, and other countries that have bilateral visa waiver agreements with Malaysia. The MDAC complements visa-free entry by providing Malaysian immigration with essential traveler information in advance.
Visa-Required Travelers
Travelers who need to obtain a visa before entering Malaysia (whether eVisa, visa on arrival, or embassy visa) must also complete the MDAC in addition to their visa requirements. The MDAC does not replace your visa; it is a supplementary document required alongside your valid visa.
Even after receiving visa approval from Malaysian authorities, you must separately submit your MDAC information. Both documents work together to facilitate your entry: the visa grants you permission to enter, while the MDAC provides specific arrival details and contact information.
MDAC Exemptions
Who is Exempt from MDAC?
Malaysian Citizens
Malaysian passport holders and Malaysian citizens are automatically exempt from the MDAC requirement. This includes dual citizens traveling on their Malaysian passport. However, if a dual citizen enters Malaysia using a foreign passport, they will need to complete the MDAC.
Permanent Residents of Malaysia
Foreign nationals who hold permanent resident (PR) status in Malaysia are exempt from completing the MDAC. Permanent residents should carry their valid PR identification documents when entering Malaysia. However, if your PR status has expired or is under renewal, you should complete the MDAC to avoid entry complications.
Diplomats and Official Passport Holders
Diplomatic passport holders, officials traveling on government business with official passports, and accredited diplomatic personnel may be exempt from MDAC requirements depending on bilateral agreements. However, it's advisable to verify with the Malaysian embassy or your foreign ministry before travel.
Pure Transit Passengers
Travelers who remain in the international transit area of Malaysian airports without passing through immigration control and do not enter Malaysia are exempt from MDAC. This only applies to true airside transit where you stay within the international zone and connect to your onward flight without entering the country.
Age and Special Circumstances
Children and Minors
All foreign children and minors, regardless of age, must have a completed MDAC. Parents or legal guardians must complete separate MDAC forms for each child traveling with them, including infants. The MDAC for minors should include their personal information, passport details, and the parent or guardian's contact information. Even newborns traveling internationally require their own MDAC submission linked to their passport.
Group Travel
For group tours, delegations, or organized travel groups, each individual member must have their own MDAC completed. While a tour operator or group leader may assist in coordinating the submissions, each traveler requires a unique MDAC linked to their individual passport. Group submissions are not currently available; each MDAC must be submitted separately with individual traveler information.
Elderly Travelers and Special Assistance
Elderly travelers must complete the MDAC regardless of age. Family members, travel companions, or authorized representatives can complete the MDAC on behalf of elderly travelers who may have difficulty with online forms. However, all information must be accurate and match the traveler's passport exactly. The person completing the form should ensure they have access to all necessary documents and information.
Multiple Entry Requirements
The MDAC is a single-entry document, meaning it is valid for one entry into Malaysia only. If you plan to exit and re-enter Malaysia during your trip (for example, traveling to Singapore or Thailand and returning to Malaysia), you must complete a new MDAC for each entry. This applies even if you're returning within a few days and using the same passport and visa.
Frequent travelers to Malaysia should complete a new MDAC before each visit. The system allows you to save your information for faster completion on subsequent submissions, but each entry requires a separate approved MDAC. Business travelers who regularly visit Malaysia should plan accordingly and complete their MDAC at least 3 days before each trip.
For travelers with multiple-entry visas or work passes, the visa remains valid for multiple entries, but the MDAC must still be completed separately for each entry into Malaysia. This ensures immigration authorities have current information about your specific arrival plans, accommodation details, and contact information for each visit.
Important Eligibility Notes
- Eligibility for MDAC is separate from visa requirements; check both before travel
- Complete your MDAC at least 3 days before departure to allow processing time
- Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from entry date
- Keep your MDAC confirmation with you during travel; digital or printed copy accepted
- Immigration officers may request additional documentation beyond MDAC