Register for the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card free at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main. Avoid third-party sites charging £15 to £50. Submit at least three days before arrival in Malaysia.
This independent portal helps UK travellers locate the correct government MDAC site, verify authenticity, and avoid fake sites charging fees for a free service. Last updated: 10 September 2026, reflecting the latest MDAC portal interface and Immigration Department guidelines at imi.gov.my.
What Is the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card Registration and Who Needs to Register?
The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) is a mandatory digital immigration form replacing the paper arrival card for all foreign travellers entering Malaysia, with specific exemptions per imi.gov.my. It is a digital immigration pre-clearance step, not a visa. UK citizens (visa-exempt up to 90 days) must still complete Malaysia Digital Arrival Card registration as a separate entry requirement. GOV.UK states: “You must submit an arrival card online to enter Malaysia. Do this before you travel: airlines may ask for it at check-in.”
Non-compliance may cause border delays, additional screening, denial of entry, or airline boarding refusal without proof of Malaysia Digital Arrival Card registration.
MDAC Exemptions: Who Does Not Need to Register
Exempt categories per the Immigration Department of Malaysia’s portal at imi.gov.my:
- Singapore citizens
- Diplomatic and official passport holders
- Long-term pass holders (Employment Pass, Student Pass)
- Transit passengers remaining airside
The Correct Malaysia Digital Arrival Card Registration Portal and How to Spot Fake Sites
The only legitimate Malaysia Digital Arrival Card registration portal is imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main: confirm .gov.my domain, “Jabatan Imigresen” page title, and no payment fields. Fake sites use.com/.org domains (e.g., ), paid Google Ads, and credit-card forms charging £15 to £50, as detailed in the table below.
5-second verification checklist: domain ends .gov.my, page title contains “Jabatan Imigresen,” no payment fields, SSL issued to the Malaysian government, copyright reads “Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia.”
| Element | Legitimate Portal | Fake / Third-Party Site |
|---|---|---|
| Domain | imigresen-online.imi.gov.my | .com,.org, misspelled variants |
| Fee | Free: £0 / RM 0 | £15 to £50 “processing fee” |
| SSL | Government-issued certificate | Free Let’s Encrypt or no SSL |
| Payment | No payment gateway exists | Credit card form / PayPal |
| Page title | Contains “Jabatan Imigresen” | Generic: “Malaysia Travel Services” |
Red flags: sponsored Google Ads leading to .com domains, “express processing” upsells, and requests for passport data on non-government sites. To register for the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card in 2026, go to imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main. Registration is free. Never pay a third-party site. Complete the form at least three days before your arrival date and save the confirmation email for immigration.
When and How to Complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card Registration: Step-by-Step Guide
Submit Malaysia Digital Arrival Card registration within 3 days before your arrival date: a flight on 15 September 2026 requires submission by 12 September at the latest. Complete six steps: passport details, flight number, arrival/departure dates, accommodation address, health declaration, then submit and save the confirmation.
Navigate to the portal
Go to imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main
Enter personal details
Full name as per passport, passport number, nationality, passport expiry date
Enter travel details
Flight number, arrival date, departure date
Enter accommodation address
Hotel name and address or private address in Malaysia
Complete health declaration
Health declaration and purpose of visit
Review and submit
Review all fields, accept digital consent, click “Submit” and wait for the confirmation page
Mandatory Fields You’ll Need Before Starting
| Field | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | JOHN SMITH | Exactly as printed on passport |
| Passport number | 123456789 | Alphanumeric |
| Nationality | British | Select from dropdown |
| Passport expiry | 15/03/2028 | Must be valid for duration of stay |
| Flight number | MH1 | Airline code plus number |
| Arrival date | 15/09/2026 | Must fall within 3-day submission window |
| Departure date | 22/09/2026 | Estimated |
| Accommodation address | Hilton Kuala Lumpur, 3 Jalan Stesen Sentral | Hotel or private address in Malaysia |
| Email address | Confirmation sent here |
Using the MDAC Portal on Mobile vs Desktop
Use a desktop browser for first-time Malaysia Digital Arrival Card registration; mobile users must enable landscape orientation and disable pop-up blockers to avoid form errors (per imi.gov.my browser requirements). Recommended browsers: Google Chrome (latest), Mozilla Firefox (latest), Microsoft Edge (latest). Safari may cause rendering issues. If the CAPTCHA fails to load, clear your browser cache or switch to incognito/private mode.
After MDAC Submission: Confirmation, QR Code, and Fixing Mistakes
After Malaysia Digital Arrival Card registration, a confirmation page with a reference number appears immediately. Download the PDF, save the email with QR code, and present it at KLIA immigration and airline check-in. The MDAC portal has no edit function; to fix a mistake, submit a new form which replaces the previous registration.
The confirmation includes an on-screen PDF download and an email sent to your registered address, both containing a QR code. A printed PDF, mobile screenshot, or email displayed on screen are all accepted at KLIA immigration counters. Airlines may request proof at check-in, as noted by GOV.UK.
To correct a mistake or update arrival details, submit a new Malaysia Digital Arrival Card registration. The most recent submission automatically replaces the previous one. Always double-check all data before clicking “Submit.”
For post-submission issues, contact the Immigration Department of Malaysia at [email protected], or call Bilik Gerakan JIM at 03-88801555 (8.30 am to 11.00 pm daily). General immigration enquiries: 03-8000 8000 (MyGCC). Headquarters: Persiaran Perdana, Presint 2, 62550 Putrajaya.
FAQ
Is the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card registration free?
Yes, Malaysia Digital Arrival Card registration is 100% free. The government portal at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my never requests payment. Any site charging £15 to £50 for this service is fraudulent.
Do I still need a visa if I’ve completed the MDAC registration?
The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card is an arrival card, not a visa. UK citizens (visa-exempt up to 90 days) must still complete MDAC registration as a separate entry requirement. It does not replace a visa if one is required for your nationality.
How many days before arrival should I submit my MDAC?
Submit Malaysia Digital Arrival Card registration within 3 days before arrival. For a flight on 15 September 2026, the latest submission is 12 September. Submit earlier if possible to receive the confirmation email and QR code in time.
What happens if I don’t complete the MDAC before travelling to Malaysia?
Failing to complete Malaysia Digital Arrival Card registration may cause immigration delays, additional screening, denial of entry, or airline boarding refusal without proof at check-in (per GOV.UK).
Can I use the KLIA autogate after completing my MDAC?
Completing the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card does not automatically grant autogate access. Autogate eligibility depends on nationality and biometric enrollment at KLIA Terminal 1 or Terminal 2.
How do I know if a website offering MDAC registration is legitimate?
Verify: domain ends .gov.my, page title includes “Jabatan Imigresen,” no payment fields. The only legitimate URL is imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main. Any site requesting credit card details or fees is fake.
What browser should I use to complete the MDAC form?
Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge (latest versions) are recommended for Malaysia Digital Arrival Card registration. Safari may cause rendering issues. Use incognito mode if the CAPTCHA fails to load.
Can I complete the MDAC for my family members or dependants?
Yes, each traveller needs a separate Malaysia Digital Arrival Card registration. A parent or guardian may complete the form for a child using the child’s passport details and travel information. See our guide for UK families for more details.
Which airlines require proof of MDAC at check-in?
Malaysia Airlines (code: MH), AirAsia, and Singapore Airlines routinely request proof of Malaysia Digital Arrival Card registration at check-in. Verify your airline’s requirements before travelling.
How long is my Malaysia Digital Arrival Card valid after submission?
Each Malaysia Digital Arrival Card registration is tied to a specific arrival date. A new registration is required for every subsequent trip to Malaysia, as the confirmation and QR code are valid only for the declared travel dates.
