Malaysia Arrival Card 2026: How to Fill It In & Entry Tips

Planning a trip to Malaysia? Just like for all other foreigners entering Malaysia (with a few exceptions), you have also been required to have a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) since 1 January 2024. We have summarised what this is all about, how you can get it, and everything else you need to know in our Trip.com MDAC guide.

🤔 What is the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)?

The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card is a document required for entry that you must create before your formal arrival in Malaysia. The MDAC is issued exclusively in electronic form. Paper forms are neither issued nor used by the Malaysian government. The arrival card is issued by the Immigration Department of Malaysia.

You can create your MDAC either on the official MDAC website of the immigration authority or by using an app. You can download the latter for free from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card is created in the form of a QR code, which is part of a confirmation email.

Before we take a closer look at the MDAC, we've prepared a quick overview for you:

💻 How to fill in the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card

The term "digital" already gives a hint, as the MDAC is created and submitted exclusively in a digital format. Paper documents handed out on the plane no longer exist. You must therefore create your Malaysia Arrival Card using a PC/Mac, smartphone, or tablet, and it will also be sent to you in digital form.

💰 How much does the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card cost?

The Malaysia Arrival Card is free, so you will receive your travel document at no cost. Neither during nor after the completion process will a window appear where you have to enter payment details or make any payments at all. Therefore, make sure you create your Arrival Card on the official MDAC website. If you land on the website of a paid service provider, you should never make any payments there.

⚠️ Who needs the MDAC (regulations for UK citizens)?

The Malaysian immigration authority states on its website that, in principle, all foreigners entering Malaysia require an Arrival Card. You can therefore remember that you need an MDAC if you do not hold a Malaysian (second) passport. However, there are one or two exceptions, which we will discuss in more detail in the next section.

The same rules apply to British citizens as to all other countries: You must complete an arrival card online within 3 days BEFORE your entry into Malaysia.

☝️ Are there any exemptions to the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card requirement?

Yes, there are exceptions. However, these apply to specific regions or individuals travelling on official business. Malaysia also exempts its own citizens from the arrival card requirement. For foreign nationals, the following exemptions currently (September 2026) apply to:

• Holders of a diplomatic passport
• Holders of a permanent residence permit or a long-term pass
• Holders of a Certificate Identity Brunei (GCI) card
• Holders of a Malaysia Brunei Frequent Traveller Facility card
• Holders of a Thailand border pass
• Holders of an Indonesian Cross Border Travel Document (PLB)
• Transit passengers who do not formally enter Malaysia

📝 How to complete the Malaysia Arrival Card

Let's take a look at how to apply for or create the MDAC. You should allow about 5 to 10 minutes for this. Since the Malaysia Arrival Card contains neither a customs declaration nor a health self-declaration, it is quite quick compared to other countries, such as for trips to Bali in Indonesia. Another advantage is that your Arrival Card is issued to you practically immediately in the form of a QR code.

☝️ What information do you need to complete their Malaysia Arrival Card?

The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card is simply a request for some travel information. This is standard stuff, which is why you can complete the whole process so quickly. Before we guide you through the application step-by-step, we’ve prepared a little checklist for you. You should have the following (travel) information ready before you start:

• ✅ Your travel details, including arrival and departure dates, flight information, hotel details, etc.
• ✅ Your passport number incl. expiry date
• ✅ Your personal details such as date of birth, nationality, place of birth, etc.
• ✅ Your email address and mobile number

📋 Step-by-step guide: How to create your MDAC online

Now let’s move on to creating your Malaysia Digital Arrival Card. In this section, we’ll explain how the process works on a PC or Mac. Just remember to stick to the specified timeframe of 3 days BEFORE your expected arrival. If that’s the case, then proceed as follows:

• Step 1: Load the official MDAC website of the Malaysian Immigration Department
• Step 2: start the process by clicking on the red button labelled “Register” below
• Step 3: Now fill in the first part “Personal Information”
• Step 4: Scroll down to “Traveling Information” and fill in all the details here too
• Step 5: Now you just need to solve the CAPTCHA puzzle and confirm everything by clicking on “Submit”
• Step 6: A confirmation message will now appear at the top of the screen. Now go to your emails. Here you will find an email with a PIN number.
• Step 7: Afterwards, go back to the MDAC website and click on “Check Registration” at the top. Now you need to enter or provide your passport number, your nationality, and the PIN. Next, select your MDAC from the list and download the document (including the QR code).

📋 Step-by-step guide: How to create your MDAC using your smartphone or tablet

You can also create your Malaysia Arrival Card using your mobile device. For this purpose, the Malaysian government provides a dedicated app for iOS and Android devices. It can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store and is called MyNIISe. You create your Arrival Card with the MyNIISe app by proceeding as follows:

• Step 1: Go to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and download the MYNIISe app onto your device
• Step 2: Create an account by first selecting “Foreign Visitor”
• Step 3: Next, enter your email address into the field that appears and tap “Send Code”
• Step 4: Enter the code you received via email into the field.
• Step 5: Now it's time to fill in your details by taking a photo of your passport. Next up is a selfie of you
• Step 6: Now create your account by entering a password and filling in the fields with your passport number, etc. Click on the QR button and you will receive your QR code. Next, tap on “Malaysia Digital Arrival Card” and provide any remaining details (travel information).
• Step 7: Now the confirmation document will appear, which you can download or print out directly

⏰ When do you need to apply for the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card?

You must complete your Malaysia Digital Arrival Card 3 days before your arrival. The Malaysian immigration authorities point out this timeframe several times. This means you cannot complete your Malaysia arrival card immediately after booking your flight (unless you are booking 3 days before your scheduled departure).

🛃 Can I still complete my Malaysia Arrival Card after arriving at the airport?

If you happen to arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) and haven't created your MDAC yet, there's no need to panic. You can still create your Arrival Card now. The important thing is that you have the confirmation document with the QR code BEFORE you reach an immigration counter. Please note, however, that you will definitely need a smartphone or tablet as well as an internet connection, and this may cause delays.

🛂 Malaysia entry requirements for British travellers

When entering Malaysia, you should pay attention to the advice from the GOV.UK website for travellers to Malaysia. For entry, you will need the following documents, for example:

• Passport (must be valid for at least another 6 months)
• Child passport

If you are staying in Malaysia for no longer than 90 days, you do not need a visa as a UK citizen. Citizens of certain countries (including the UK) can also use e-gates upon entry, saving time.

💡 Tips for your trip to Malaysia

To wrap things up, we'd like to share our Malaysia travel tips with you. For instance, did you already know that:

• Malaysia is a Muslim-majority country, so we advise respecting local customs (e.g., dress code).
• Pack your suitcase wisely, as Malaysia generally has a hot climate with high humidity
• Especially in urban areas, you can often get by easily with English
• When entering Sabah and Sarawak, you will receive a separate entry stamp, usually granting a stay of up to 90 days.

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