The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) is 100% free of charge, costing RM 0 / £0 with no hidden fees. Any website demanding payment is a third-party scam. UK travellers must submit the form directly via the Immigration Department of Malaysia’s online portal.
The MDAC is a mandatory digital entry requirement for all foreign nationals passing through immigration, including British passport holders. It must be submitted within 3 calendar days before your arrival date through the portal at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main. No credit card, debit card, or bank details are ever requested on the legitimate form.
Third-party scam sites charge between £25 and £80+ for what is a completely free government service. These copycat sites use Google Ads and lookalike domains to appear above the genuine portal. If you have already paid, you can still submit a valid MDAC for free and pursue a chargeback through your bank. See our MDAC application guide for step-by-step instructions.
Published: 1 September 2026 | Last updated: 5 September 2026
What Is the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)?
The MDAC is a mandatory, free digital immigration form that all foreign nationals, including UK passport holders, must complete before entering Malaysia. The form is known locally as Kad Ketibaan Digital Malaysia and is issued by the Immigration Department of Malaysia (Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia).
UK passport holders enter visa-free for 90 days, but must still submit the free MDAC before arrival. Transit passengers who do not pass through immigration are exempt, as confirmed by GOV.UK travel advice for Malaysia (accessed 5 September 2026): “If you are not passing through immigration, you do not need to complete an arrival card.”
Failure to submit the MDAC can result in denial of entry at the Malaysian border. UK travellers planning a trip to Malaysia in 2026 must submit this form through the Immigration Department of Malaysia’s online portal at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main within three calendar days before their arrival date.
Is the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card Free of Charge?
The MDAC costs exactly RM 0 / £0: no government fee, no processing charge, no service cost, confirmed by the Immigration Department of Malaysia (Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia). UK travellers will never be asked to enter payment details when submitting their Malaysia Digital Arrival Card through the correct portal at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main.
The MDAC requires no payment; any website demanding a fee is outside the government system. The legitimate form only asks for passport details, flight information, accommodation address, and a health declaration. No credit card, debit card, or bank details are ever requested.
MDAC Scam Warning: Sites Charging for a Free Service
Third-party sites charge £25 to £80+ for the MDAC, but the Immigration Department of Malaysia’s portal asks for zero payment details.
Scam websites charge £25 to £80+ for the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card by copying the government design; they accept payment but never submit data to the JIM MyNIISe (Malaysia National Integrated Immigration System), which can cause border control delays, manual processing, or denial of entry into Malaysia.
| Feature | Government Portal | Third-Party Scam Sites |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | RM 0 / £0 | £25 to £80+ |
| Domain | .gov.my | .com,.co,.net lookalikes |
| Payment fields | None | Credit/debit card required |
| MyNIISe registration | Yes, direct integration | No backend integration |
| Confirmation | Valid QR code + email | Generic email, no valid registration |
How to Spot a Fake MDAC Website – 7 Red Flags
- Non-.gov.my domain (e.g.,.com,.co,.net lookalikes)
- Credit or debit card fields on the form
- “Expedited processing” or “priority submission” upsell for a free service
- Live chat pressure tactics demanding immediate payment
- Countdown timers creating false urgency (“Complete within X minutes!”)
- Copied trust badges or logos from the real government site
- Google Ads placement above the actual government result
Bookmark the real MDAC URL: never Google “MDAC” and click an ad.
Can a Third-Party-Submitted MDAC Actually Get You Through Border Control?
Official MDAC data feeds directly into JIM MyNIISe. Third-party submissions may only generate a receipt with no backend integration, risking data mismatch, manual processing, delays, or denial of entry at the discretion of the immigration officer.
Already Paid a Scam Site? What UK Travellers Should Do
If you accidentally paid £25 to £80 for the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) through a third-party website, here is what to do next. Do not panic: the MDAC can still be submitted for free on the correct portal even if you already paid a scammer. Check your MDAC status on the portal to verify whether your data was even submitted.
UK Chargeback, Section 75 & Fraud Reporting Steps
Contact your bank
Request a chargeback for the unauthorised payment
Section 75 claim
Applies to credit card payments over £100; card issuer is jointly liable
Visa/Mastercard chargeback
Covers debit or credit card payments under £100, within 120 days
Report to Action Fraud
The UK’s national fraud reporting centre
Request the scam company’s payment processor details from your bank for the merchant dispute. Suggested text for your bank dispute letter: “I paid £[X] to International Visa Service Sp. z o. o. sp. k. NIP: 542766476 , ul. Graniczna 29 , 40-017 Katowice, Contact email: [email protected] for a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC), which is free of charge from the Malaysian government. I request a chargeback under [Section 75 / chargeback scheme] for this MDAC transaction.”
When to Submit Your MDAC – Timing Rules for 2026
The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) must be submitted within 3 calendar days before arrival. For a flight on 15 September 2026, submit between 12 and 15 September 2026 at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main.
Day 3
Earliest submission
Day 2
Within submission window
Day 1
Within submission window
Arrival Day
Final submission opportunity
Submitting earlier than 3 days may result in an invalid submission. Airport submission is technically possible but not recommended due to unreliable Wi-Fi and queue pressure. Third-party sites charge “advance submission” fees for something that is free and self-service within the 3-day window.
The MDAC is linked to your specific arrival date and is valid for that single entry only. It is not a long-term travel document. Check the Malaysia visa for UK citizens requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card completely free?
Yes. The cost is RM 0 / £0, with no government fee, processing charge, or service cost.
Do UK passport holders need to pay for the MDAC?
No. UK travellers pay nothing. If a website asks for payment or credit card details, it is not the legitimate government portal.
What is the difference between the MDAC and a Malaysian visa?
The MDAC is a free digital arrival card for immigration pre-registration. A visa is a separate authorisation. UK passport holders enter visa-free for up to 90 days, but must still complete the MDAC.
Can I apply for the MDAC at the airport instead of online?
You can, but it is not recommended. Online submission within 3 days of arrival is faster; airport Wi-Fi may be unreliable and queue pressure can cause errors.
Who is exempt from submitting the MDAC?
Transit passengers not passing through immigration, Malaysian citizens and permanent residents, and certain diplomatic passport holders are exempt.
How do I check if my MDAC submission was received?
Log into the portal with your passport number to verify status. If no confirmation email, check spam and re-submit. Call JIM at 03-88801555 (8:30 AM to 11:00 PM daily).
How long is the MDAC valid after I submit it?
The MDAC is linked to your specific arrival date and is valid for that single entry only. Submit within 3 calendar days before arrival. It is not a long-term travel document.
What should I do if I accidentally paid a third-party website for the MDAC?
Request a chargeback from your bank; Section 75 covers credit payments over £100. Report to, then submit a free MDAC on the correct portal. See our full Malaysia entry requirements guide.
Can I amend my MDAC after submission?
If you need to correct details, re-submit a new MDAC on the portal with the correct information. The most recent valid submission will be used.
Is the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card free? Yes, the MDAC is 100% free. There is no government fee, processing charge, or hidden cost. UK travellers can submit their MDAC at no charge through the Immigration Department of Malaysia’s online portal. Any website asking for payment is a third-party scam: never pay for the MDAC.
