Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) 2026: Application Guide for Travellers

Since the end of 2023, the Malaysian government has fully transitioned to a digital entry system. Whether you are flying to Kuala Lumpur for a shopping spree at the new TRX mall, heading to Semporna for a diving trip, or hunting down the best Char Kway Teow in Penang, completing the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) before you land is an absolute must.

To help make your next trip as smooth as possible, I’ve put together this quick guide based on my recent experience, updated with the latest requirements for 2026.

If you are currently planning your itinerary, I highly recommend booking your flights and hotels through Trip.com—it is one of the easiest ways to keep all your booking confirmations in one place while getting real-time alerts if flight times or travel policies change.

What is the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) and Who Needs It?

The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card is an online registration system introduced by the Immigration Department of Malaysia. It replaces the old physical "white cards" we used to fill out on the plane.

Under the current rules, almost all foreign visitors entering Malaysia must submit this online form within three days of arrival (this includes the actual day of your arrival). For example, if you are flying out of Hong Kong on a Friday morning, the earliest you can submit your digital form is the Wednesday before.

Who is Exempt?

You do not need to fill out the MDAC if you fall into one of these categories:

• Malaysian permanent residents (PR) and long-term pass holders
• Singapore citizens
• Diplomatic and official passport holders
• Holders of a Brunei Common Portal Identity Card
• Holders of Thai Border Passes or Indonesian Cross-Border Travel Documents

For those of us holding HKSAR, BNO, or Chinese passports, we definitely need to submit the MDAC. Please note that the MDAC is not a visa. Since Hong Kong passport holders currently enjoy visa-free entry to Malaysia for social visits up to 30 days, the MDAC is simply an arrival registration form.

Step-by-Step Guide to Filling Out the MDAC (Takes Under 5 Minutes)

Filling out the form is relatively straightforward, and it is completely free. I have seen a few third-party scam websites trying to charge administrative fees for this, so make sure you only use the official government portal.

• Official Source: Immigration Department of Malaysia MDAC Portal

Here is a quick walkthrough of the steps based on my last application:

Step 1: Head to the Official Portal

Open the link on your phone or laptop. I found that using Safari or Chrome works best; some older browsers might lag when loading the date selection calendars.

Step 2: Fill in Your Personal Details

You will need to input basic details exactly as they appear on your passport:

• Name: Fill this in block letters, matching the Romanised spelling on your passport.
• Passport Number & Expiry Date: Double-check these numbers—a simple typo here could cause delays at the immigration counter.
• Date of Birth & Nationality.

Step 3: Enter Your Trip Information

This section helps the immigration officers understand your travel plans:

• Date of Arrival and Departure: Remember, this must align with the 3-day submission window.
• Mode of Travel: Select whether you are arriving by Air, Land, or Sea.
• Last Port of Embarkation: For most of us flying directly, this will be "Hong Kong (HKG)".
• Address in Malaysia: If you are staying at a hotel or Airbnb, copy the address exactly. (I usually just open my Trip.com app, copy the hotel address from my booking confirmation, and paste it here—it takes less than ten seconds).

Step 4: Submit and Keep the PDF Copy

Once you hit submit, you should receive a confirmation email almost instantly.

Do You Need a Professional Service for MDAC?

If you’re worried about language barriers or that a mistake on the form could cause issues at immigration, consider using a professional form-filling service—just provide the basic info and sit back and wait for the confirmation.

Using the Self-Service Immigration E-Gates in 2026

One of the best updates for Hong Kong travellers is that we are now eligible to use the automated e-gates at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA Terminal 1 and Terminal 2) as well as the Johor Bahru land checkpoints. This is a massive timesaver, especially during peak holiday seasons like Easter or Christmas when the manual queues can easily take over an hour.

However, there is a small catch for first-time users that caught me off guard on my first trip after renewing my passport:

1. The First-Time Requirement: If you have never entered Malaysia with your current passport before, you cannot use the e-gate immediately. You first need to line up at a manual staffed counter so the officer can register your biometrics (fingerprints) and verify your passport.
2. Subsequent Trips: Once that initial registration is done, you can bypass the long queues on all your subsequent trips to Malaysia and scan through the e-gate in about 30 seconds.
3. The Constant Rule: Even if you are eligible to use the e-gate, you must still submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) before every single entry. The e-gate scanners look up your passport number in their database to verify if an active MDAC has been submitted within the 3-day window. If you forgot to fill it out, the gate simply won’t open.

Malaysia MDAC | Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to fill out the MDAC if I am entering Malaysia by land from Singapore?

A: Yes, absolutely. Whether you are taking a coach from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, or just taking a short weekend trip across the Causeway to Johor Bahru for some cheap seafood and shopping, you must submit the MDAC before crossing the border.

Q: What should I do if my travel plans change after submitting the form?

A: If your hotel changes, it is usually fine and you do not need to re-submit. However, if your actual arrival date or passport details change, I highly recommend filling out a new form. The system will simply use your latest submission based on your passport number.

Q: Do children and babies need their own MDAC?

A: Yes. Every traveller, regardless of age, must have an individual digital arrival card linked to their passport number.

A Few Quick Hong Konger-Centric Travel Recommendations

Once you get past the immigration counters, your holiday can finally begin. If you are still putting together your itinerary, here are a few spots that I found highly worth visiting:

• For the Foodies (Penang): Skip the hotel buffet and head straight to Chulia Street or New Lane Hawker Centre. If you want a bit of nature after eating your weight in durian and laksa, take the funicular railway up Penang Hill in the late afternoon for a cooler breeze and a great view of the mainland.

• For the Shoppers (Kuala Lumpur): The city has changed a lot. Aside from the classic Pavilion Bukit Bintang, the newer TRX area is worth a stroll for its modern architecture and rooftop park.

• For the Divers & Beach Lovers (Sabah/Semporna): If you are flying into Kota Kinabalu, make sure to catch the sunset at Tanjung Aru Beach. It is one of those places where the sky turns an incredible shade of purple and orange—perfect for a quiet moment at the end of the day.

Malaysia Digital Arrival CardFinal Travel Checklist Before You Fly

To ensure there are no hiccups at the boarding gate or at Malaysian customs, make sure you have these items ready on your phone (or printed out):

1. Your MDAC PDF confirmation.
2. Your return flight ticket (immigration officers occasionally ask to see proof that you are planning to leave within 30 days).
3. Your hotel booking confirmation (readily accessible via your Trip.com booking history).
4. A small amount of local currency (Malaysian Ringgit - MYR) or a backup debit/credit card. While card payments are widely accepted in major malls in KL, smaller hawker stalls in Penang and local taxis still prefer cash.

Safe travels, and enjoy your time in Malaysia!