Malaysia Arrival Card Online MDAC Form, Requirements & How to Apply
Travelling to Malaysia from India? Before your trip, you may need to complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online.
The MDAC is a digital arrival declaration used by Malaysia’s Immigration Department for eligible foreign visitors. It is not a visa and completing the arrival card does not itself grant permission to enter Malaysia. Travellers must still meet Malaysia’s applicable immigration, visa and entry requirements.
The official Malaysia Immigration portal currently states that the trip entered in the MDAC registration must be within three days, including the date of submission. Travellers are asked to provide passport, personal and travel information, including their arrival date, departure date, transport details, last port of embarkation and accommodation information.
This guide explains how to complete the Malaysia Arrival Card online, what information you need, when to submit the MDAC, common mistakes to avoid and what Indian travellers should know before arriving in Malaysia.
What is the Malaysia Travel Card (MDAC)?
The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card, commonly called MDAC, is an electronic arrival declaration for foreign visitors travelling to Malaysia.
It collects information that Malaysia’s Immigration Department requires before or during the visitor’s arrival process.
The MDAC is different from a visa.
MDAC is:
- A digital arrival declaration.
- Completed online.
- Used by eligible foreign visitors.
- Connected to your planned journey.
- Submitted with passport and travel information.
MDAC is not:
- A Malaysian visa.
- A visa approval.
- Permission to work in Malaysia.
- A guarantee of entry.
- A replacement for a visa when a visa is required.
This distinction is important because travellers sometimes search for a Malaysia arrival card online when they actually need information about a visa.
Do Indians Need the Malaysia Arrival Card?
Indian travellers should check the current MDAC requirements before travelling because Malaysia’s entry requirements can depend on nationality, immigration status and travel circumstances.
The Malaysian Immigration Department provides the official MDAC registration system for foreign visitors.
Indian travellers should also separately verify whether they require a Malaysian visa or qualify for a particular visa-waiver or registration facility.
For example, the Malaysian Immigration Department has published specific information about eNTRI for Indian nationals, which is a separate electronic travel registration facility under the relevant programme.
Therefore:
MDAC ≠Malaysian visa.
If your nationality or purpose of travel requires a visa, you must complete the appropriate visa process separately.
Malaysia Arrival Card Online Form: What Information Is Required?
The official MDAC form asks for several categories of information.
Personal Information
You may need to enter:
- Full name
- Passport number
- Date of birth
- Nationality/citizenship
- Place of birth
- Sex
- Passport expiry date
- Email address
- Mobile number
These fields are shown on the current official MDAC registration page.
Travel Information
The form also asks for:
- Arrival date
- Departure date
- Flight, vessel or transportation number
- Mode of travel
- Last port of embarkation before Malaysia
You should enter these details exactly as they appear on your travel documents.
Accommodation Information
The MDAC registration also asks for information about your stay in Malaysia, including:
- Accommodation type
- Address in Malaysia
- State
- Postcode
- City
If you are staying at a hotel, keep your hotel confirmation available while completing the form.
Malaysia Visa on Arrival Cost for Indians
When Should You Complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card?
This is one of the most important points.
The official MDAC registration portal currently states:
Your trip must be within 3 days, including the date of submission.
For example, if your arrival date is 10 September, you should complete the MDAC according to the three-day submission window specified by the official system.
Practical tip
Don’t complete the form weeks before your trip and assume it will remain valid.
Instead, check the official MDAC portal close to your departure and submit it within the permitted window.
Is the Malaysia Arrival Card Online Free?
The MDAC is an immigration arrival declaration rather than a tourist visa.
Travellers should be cautious about websites charging money simply to submit an MDAC.
The safest approach is to use the official Malaysian Immigration MDAC portal rather than an unofficial third-party website.
If a website claims that you must pay a large “MDAC fee” to obtain the government arrival card, verify it carefully before entering payment or passport information.
Malaysia Arrival Card vs Malaysia Visa
These are two different things.
| Malaysia Digital Arrival Card | Malaysia Visa |
| Digital arrival declaration | Travel authorization/visa where required |
| Submitted online | Application process depends on visa type |
| Collects arrival information | Determines eligibility to enter under the visa category |
| Not a visa | Visa may be required depending on nationality/purpose |
| Does not guarantee entry | Does not necessarily guarantee admission either |
Completing an MDAC does not automatically mean you have obtained a Malaysian visa.
Likewise, having a Malaysian visa does not mean you should ignore any separate arrival-card requirement applicable to you.
How to Apply for Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)
How to Complete the Malaysia Arrival Card Online
The process is straightforward if you have your passport and travel details ready.
Step 1: Visit the Official MDAC Portal
Use the Malaysian Immigration Department’s official MDAC portal.
Malaysia’s Immigration Department has specifically published the official MDAC portal URL on its website.
Step 2: Select the Registration Option
Open the MDAC registration page and enter your personal information.
Step 3: Enter Your Passport Details
Enter your:
- Name
- Passport number
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Passport expiry date
Make sure the information matches your passport exactly.
Step 4: Enter Your Contact Details
Provide:
- Email address
- Confirmed email address
- Country/region code
- Mobile number
Step 5: Add Your Travel Details
Enter:
- Arrival date
- Departure date
- Flight or transportation number
- Mode of travel
- Last port of embarkation
Step 6: Add Your Malaysia Accommodation
Enter the required hotel or accommodation details.
If you are staying at multiple hotels, follow the form’s instructions and provide the relevant information requested.
Step 7: Review Everything
Before submitting, carefully check:
- Passport number
- Name spelling
- Passport expiry
- Arrival date
- Departure date
- Flight number
- Accommodation details
Step 8: Submit the MDAC
Submit the completed declaration through the official portal.
Keep the confirmation/reference information available for your journey.
Malaysia Digital Arrival Card Online Application: Common Mistakes
Small mistakes can create unnecessary problems during travel.
1. Entering the wrong passport number
Your passport number should exactly match your travel document.
2. Incorrect arrival date
The MDAC is connected to your planned journey, so make sure your arrival date is correct.
3. Completing it too early
The current official form specifies that the trip must be within three days, including the submission date.
4. Wrong flight number
Check your airline ticket before entering your flight details.
5. Incorrect hotel information
Keep your hotel booking confirmation nearby.
6. Using an unofficial website
This is particularly important.
Malaysia’s Immigration Department has published a notice concerning fake MDAC portals.
Always verify that you are using the official Malaysian Immigration website.Can Indians Complete the Malaysia Arrival Card Online?
Eligible Indian travellers can use the official MDAC system where the requirement applies to their journey.
The form is completed online and requires passport and travel information.
Indian travellers should also check their separate Malaysian visa/entry requirements before departure.
The Malaysian Immigration Department’s official information for Indian nationals includes specific travel-registration information such as eNTRI, showing why it is important to distinguish between arrival declaration, visa and travel registration.
Malaysia Digital Arrival Card Through MyNIISe
There is also a newer option worth knowing about.
In January 2026, the Malaysian Immigration Department announced that MDAC can be filled directly through the MyNIISe application.
This gives travellers another official digital channel for completing the arrival declaration.
However, travellers should use only official Malaysian Immigration channels and current versions of the official application.
What Happens After Completing the MDAC?
Completing the MDAC does not mean you can skip immigration.
When you arrive in Malaysia, you may need to present your:
- Passport
- Relevant visa or travel authorization, if required
- Flight/boarding information
- Accommodation information
- Other supporting documents requested by immigration
Malaysian Immigration officers may check your documents and determine whether you meet the requirements for entry.
The MDAC is part of the arrival process; it is not a guarantee of admission.
What Happens at Malaysia Immigration?
After arriving at a Malaysian airport or other approved entry point, travellers proceed through the applicable immigration process.
An immigration officer may verify:
- Passport
- Travel details
- MDAC information
- Visa or relevant authorization
- Purpose of travel
- Accommodation
- Return/onward travel
- Other documents where required
Malaysia’s published visitor guidance states that visitors must meet the applicable entry conditions and complete the MDAC.
Practical advice
Keep your important travel documents accessible rather than placing them in checked baggage.
Important Things to Know Before Travelling to Malaysia
Use the official MDAC website
Malaysia Immigration has issued warnings about fake MDAC websites.
Always verify the domain before submitting your passport or payment details.
Don’t confuse MDAC with a visa
An arrival card is not a visa.
If you require a Malaysian visa, you must complete the appropriate visa process separately.
Keep your passport details accurate
Even a small error in your passport number or personal information can cause problems.
Check your flight information
Your arrival date and flight/transportation details should match your actual journey.
Keep your hotel booking accessible
The MDAC form requests accommodation details, so have your booking confirmation available.
Complete the form within the permitted window
The current official registration form states that the trip must be within three days, including the submission date.
Check requirements again before travelling
Immigration requirements can change.
Even if you have travelled to Malaysia before, check the current requirements before your next trip.
Yes, most Indian travelers must submit the MDAC before arrival.
Visa rules change periodically, so travelers should check current regulations before travel.
It should be completed before arrival, ideally within the recommended time frame set by Malaysian immigration.
It is available only under specific conditions and routes.