The small print in Malaysia's 3 day MDAC rule for foreign arrivals

Malaysia keeps MDAC in place for almost all arrivals

Malaysia’s Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) remains a standing pre-arrival requirement for most foreign visitors and it must be completed online within 3 days before entry. The rule has been in force since Jan. 1, 2024, after a short grace period ended.

Officials say the form applies whether travelers are arriving visa-free, on an eVisa or for a short stay. It is submitted once per traveler, so children need their own form unless they fall into an exempt category.

Tourists, nomads and expats are all caught by it

The requirement covers most short-term visitors, including tourists, business travelers and digital nomads entering on social visit status. Foreign residents with certain long-term passes endorsed in their passports may be exempt, but the exact pass type matters.

Exemptions include Singapore citizens, diplomatic and official passport holders, Malaysian permanent residents, Brunei GCI holders, Brunei-Malaysia frequent traveler facility holders, Thailand border pass holders and Indonesia cross-border document holders. Transit passengers who stay airside aren't subject to MDAC.

The form is free, but timing matters

Travelers submit MDAC through Malaysia’s official immigration portal and the government doesn't list a fee for the form itself. Commercial services may charge for handling it, but the official route is free.

Airlines and border officers may ask for proof of completion, so travelers should keep a copy of the confirmation on their phone or print one out. Read our full Malaysia guide for the complete picture and check visa updates for more travel-alerts.