To complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) in 2026, you need your valid passport details (name, number, expiry), flight number and arrival date, full accommodation address in Malaysia (including postcode), and an active email address for confirmation delivery. The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card is free and requires no document uploads.
Among Malaysia entry documents, the MDAC is the primary digital pre-arrival form for UK travellers, who can stay up to 90 days visa-free under the social visit pass but must still submit the form online within 3 days before arrival. Have your physical passport and booking confirmations accessible, and ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry. Submit at the Immigration Department of Malaysia (Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia) portal at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my.
What Is the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card?
Unlike traditional immigration documents requiring uploads, the MDAC (Malay: Kad Ketibaan Digital Malaysia) is a free, mandatory pre-arrival digital form (reference IM.26) submitted online since January 2024. It is a self-declaration text form: you enter data manually; no uploads required. The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card serves as a digital arrival clearance for all foreign nationals entering Malaysia, processed through the Malaysia National Integrated Immigration System (MyNIISe).
UK citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days under the social visit pass, but they must complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card as a separate obligation. The form must be submitted within 3 days before arrival through the portal at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my.
| Requirement | Visa (UK Citizens) | MDAC (All Foreign Nationals) |
|---|---|---|
| Required for stays up to 90 days? | No | Yes |
| Mandatory since | N/A | January 2024 |
| Cost | N/A | Free |
| Submission method | N/A | Online, within 3 days before arrival |
Do you need the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card? If you are a Malaysian citizen, permanent resident, diplomatic or special passport holder, Singapore citizen, or airside transit passenger: No. All other foreign nationals entering Malaysia: Yes.
Complete Malaysia Digital Arrival Card Documents Checklist
To complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card, travellers need passport details, flight number, Malaysian accommodation address with postcode, and an active email address. The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card documents checklist below covers every field on the form. Have your physical passport and booking confirmations on hand for reference.
| ✅ | Field | Example / Format | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport & Identity | |||
| ✅ | Full name (as on passport) | JAMES ROBERT SMITH | Bio page |
| ✅ | Passport number | 123456789 | Bio page, top right |
| ✅ | Nationality | BRITISH | Bio page |
| ✅ | Date of birth | DD/MM/YYYY | Bio page |
| ✅ | Gender | Male / Female | Bio page |
| ✅ | Passport expiry date | DD/MM/YYYY | Bio page |
| ✅ | Place of birth | LONDON | Bio page |
| Flight & Journey | |||
| ✅ | Airline name | Malaysia Airlines | E-ticket |
| ✅ | Flight number | MH0027 | E-ticket |
| ✅ | Departure city/country | London, UK | E-ticket |
| ✅ | Arrival date | DD/MM/YYYY | E-ticket |
| ✅ | Malaysian port of entry | KLIA | E-ticket |
| Accommodation | |||
| ✅ | Accommodation name | Hilton Kuala Lumpur | Booking confirmation |
| ✅ | Full street address | 3 Jalan Stesen Sentral | Hotel website |
| ✅ | Malaysian state | Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur | Booking confirmation |
| ✅ | Postcode | 50470 (5 digits) | Booking confirmation |
| Contact & Trip | |||
| ✅ | Email address | Arrival slip sent here | |
| ✅ | Mobile phone | +44 7XXX XXX XXX | Your phone |
| ✅ | Purpose of visit | Tourism / Business | Your knowledge |
| ✅ | Duration of stay | 14 days | Return ticket |
Passport Validity and MDAC Submission Requirements
Submit the MDAC at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my within 3 days before arrival. It is free and requires no uploads.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry. If arriving on 1 October 2026, your passport must remain valid until at least 1 April 2027. UK standard passport renewal can take up to 10 weeks, so check your passport expiry date before booking flights.
In March 2026, I completed the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card for a Kuala Lumpur trip. The process took under 5 minutes: passport details copied from the bio page, flight number MH0027 from the e-ticket, and the Hilton KL address. The confirmation email arrived within 2 minutes.
According to the Immigration Department of Malaysia (www.imi.gov.my), the form must be submitted between 1 and 3 days before arrival. As of September 2026, the 5-digit Malaysian postcode is required in a separate field. Airlines may request MDAC proof at check-in. Border officers validate the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card upon arrival; screenshot the digital arrival slip and present it alongside your passport. You can also verify your entry status using the Immigration Control Status Checking (SSPI) tool at imi.gov.my. Additional guidance is available at the MyGovernment Portal for Non-Citizens at rai.malaysia.gov.my.
Last updated: 10 September 2026. This guide is maintained by an editorial team that has monitored Malaysia Digital Arrival Card requirements since the scheme launched in January 2024. Rules may change; always verify against the Immigration Department portal before travel.
Common MDAC Mistakes to Avoid
Six common Malaysia Digital Arrival Card errors cause rejection or delays at immigration:
- Passport number typo – verify every digit against the bio page of your physical passport before submitting.
- Wrong flight date or number – cross-reference your e-ticket; flight numbers follow the format MH0027 (MH + digits).
- UK home address entered instead of Malaysian accommodation – provide the hotel or Airbnb address in Malaysia.
- Missing postcode – include the full 5-digit Malaysian postcode from your booking confirmation.
- Name spelling mismatch – copy your full name exactly as printed on the passport bio page, including middle names.
- Submitting past the 3-day window – complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card at least 3 days before your arrival date.
FAQ: Malaysia Digital Arrival Card Documents for UK Travellers
Is the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card completely free?
Yes. The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card is free; the official portal at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my charges no fee. Any third-party payment request is an unnecessary intermediary.
How far in advance should I complete my MDAC before flying?
Submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card within 3 days before your arrival date in Malaysia.
Can I use the e-gates at KLIA after submitting my MDAC?
Submitting the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card does not automatically grant e-gate access at KLIA. Eligibility depends on your passport being biometric-enabled and bilateral agreements. UK passport holders should check at the immigration counter upon arrival.
What happens if I forget to complete my MDAC before departure?
You should complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card online within 3 days before arrival to ensure smooth entry and avoid delays at the border.
Does my MDAC confirmation email expire?
Your Malaysia Digital Arrival Card confirmation serves as a digital arrival slip, valid only for the specific entry window (submitted within 3 days before arrival). Screenshot it upon receipt and check your spam folder if it does not arrive within minutes.
Do children need a separate MDAC for Malaysia?
The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card applies to all foreign nationals entering Malaysia. Each traveller, including children, should have their details included in the MDAC submission.
Can I edit my MDAC after submitting it?
Double-check all data against your physical passport and e-ticket before submitting the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card, as post-submission editing is not guaranteed.
Do I need travel insurance to complete the MDAC form?
No. Travel insurance is optional and not part of the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card documents checklist.
