MDAC vs Other Countries Arrival Cards: Comparing Southeast Asia Entry Systems in 2026

When comparing MDAC vs other countries arrival cards, all five ASEAN systems are free but differ in deadlines and confirmation formats. Malaysia’s MDAC requires submission within 3 days before arrival and links to your passport number for border verification, while Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines issue QR codes for presentation at immigration.

MDAC covers immigration only, requiring a separate customs declaration. Singapore’s SGAC combines immigration, customs, and health. Thailand’s TM6 handles immigration alone. Indonesia’s e-CD is customs-specific, not a full arrival card. The Philippines’ e-Travel uniquely integrates all three declarations into one form.

For British travellers planning multi-country Southeast Asian itineraries, understanding these differences is essential. MDAC, introduced on 1 December 2023, replaced Malaysia’s legacy paper arrival card and is mandatory for all foreign nationals at every checkpoint, including land borders such as the Johor to Singapore Causeway.

What Are ASEAN Digital Arrival Card Systems?

Malaysia’s MDAC, Singapore’s SG Arrival Card, Thailand’s TM6, Indonesia’s e-CD, and the Philippines’ e-Travel are the five free digital declarations required for UK visitors entering Southeast Asia. Each system replaces paper forms introduced pre-COVID with a pre-arrival digital submission. Only the Philippines’ e-Travel combines immigration, customs, and health in one form.

Malaysia’s MDAC, introduced 1 December 2023, requires online submission within 3 days before arrival. UK passport holders enter visa-free, but each country still requires its own arrival card. All five systems are free. Use only official government portals.

Malaysia MDAC: The Detailed Breakdown

MDAC (Malaysia Digital Arrival Card, or Kad Ketibaan Digital Malaysia) was introduced on 1 December 2023 and is managed by the Immigration Department of Malaysia (Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia). The application portal is imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main.

MDAC must be submitted within 3 days before arrival in Malaysia. Submitting earlier than 3 days prior may cause the system to reject the application. The form takes approximately 2 to 5 minutes to complete and requires: full name, passport number, nationality, date of birth, flight number, accommodation address, and health declaration. MDAC is valid for single entry only and must be resubmitted for each new arrival.

MDAC is not a visa. UK passport holders enter Malaysia visa-free but must still complete MDAC. Airlines may request confirmation at check-in. Group submissions are not permitted; each traveller, including children, must submit individually.

MDAC vs the Old Paper Arrival Card

Malaysia previously used a paper arrival and departure card, discontinued with the MDAC rollout in December 2023. MDAC eliminated queues for paper forms at Malaysian immigration checkpoints.

What Happens After You Submit MDAC?

An instant email confirmation is sent to your registered address. MDAC data is linked to your passport number and verified against immigration records at clearance. No QR code, PDF, or printed confirmation is required at the border. A visit pass stamp is issued in your passport upon entry.

Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines: ASEAN Systems Overview

Each of the four remaining ASEAN systems has distinct rules for deadline, confirmation format, and bundled declarations. Unlike MDAC, three of the four issue QR codes for border presentation.

Singapore SG Arrival Card (SGAC): Managed by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). SGAC allows same-day submission (deadline: up to 3 days before arrival, including day of travel). It combines immigration, customs, and health declarations into one form and generates a QR code for border presentation. Group submissions are permitted via the MyICA Mobile app (native iOS/Android), allowing one primary traveller to submit for an entire family. Unlike MDAC, SGAC does not require individual submissions.

Thailand TM6: The TM6 was suspended in 2024 and reinstated in phases through 2025. As of September 2026, digital submission is available via the e-Visa portal with a 72-hour pre-arrival deadline, but paper forms remain common at land borders such as Padang Besar. Customs and health declarations are separate. According to, the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) requirements have tightened and visa-exempt stay periods for UK citizens are reduced effective September 2026. Malaysia Airlines has issued travel notices about new entry requirements for Thailand.

Indonesia e-CD (Electronic Customs Declaration): Managed by the Directorate General of Customs and Excise. The e-CD covers customs only, not immigration. Submit up to 2 days before arrival; processing takes up to 3 days, the longest of all five systems. A downloadable QR code PDF must be presented at customs. Immigration arrival is handled separately. Unlike MDAC, which is instant, e-CD requires advance planning.

Philippines e-Travel: The only system that combines immigration, customs, and health into a single unified form. No fixed pre-arrival deadline; can be completed before travel or at the airport. Generates a QR code instantly. A native mobile app (iOS/Android) is available alongside the web portal. According to, a PEZA visa filing concession was eased during AEP processing delays in September 2026. Unlike MDAC, e-Travel has no submission deadline.

Side-by-Side Comparison: MDAC vs Other Countries Arrival Cards

Details verified against official portals on 10 September 2026. Always recheck the government site before each trip, as rules change.

Pre-Arrival Timeline: When to Submit Each Card

Do You Need to Show a QR Code at the Border?

Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines issue QR codes you must present at immigration. Malaysia’s MDAC links directly to your passport number for verification, with no QR code or PDF needed. Thailand varies between digital confirmation and stamped paper, with paper forms still common at land borders like Padang Besar.

Customs Declarations: Combined or Separate?

Combined: Singapore (SGAC) and Philippines (e-Travel) merge customs into the arrival card. Separate: Malaysia (MDAC requires a separate customs form) and Thailand (TM6 is separate from customs). Customs-only: Indonesia (e-CD is the customs declaration; immigration is handled independently).

Practical Guide for UK Travellers: Borders, Exemptions and Preparation

All five systems require submission by UK citizens before entry. MDAC mandates completion within 3 days before arrival, and British travellers must save all confirmations offline, either as a screenshot or printed PDF.

Land and Sea Borders

• Johor-Singapore Causeway: MDAC required on the Malaysian side; SGAC required on the Singapore side. Both are free and mandatory.
• Padang Besar (Malaysia-Thailand): Paper TM6 form still commonly used on arrival.
• Indonesia ferries (Batam/Bintan): e-CD required for ferry arrivals.
• Philippines: e-Travel required at all sea ports.

Who’s Exempt?

All foreign nationals, including UK citizens, must complete MDAC, SGAC, TM6, e-CD, and e-Travel when entering through immigration. Only Singaporean citizens are exempt from MDAC at Malaysian land checkpoints. Airside transit passengers at Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and Singapore Changi (SIN) who do not clear immigration do not need to submit any arrival card.

Preparation Checklist

Scam warning: All five systems are completely free. Never pay a third-party website. Use government portals only: imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main for MDAC, ica.gov.sg for SGAC, immigration.go.th for TM6, beacukai.go.id for e-CD, and etravel.gov.ph for e-Travel.

Last fact-checked: 10 September 2026. Verified against official immigration portals listed above.

Frequently Asked Questions