The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) fully replaced the old paper IMM.26 arrival card on 1 January 2024. UK travellers must submit their MDAC online within 3 days before departure via imi.gov.my. It is free, takes minutes, and eliminates handwritten forms, carbon copies, and departure stubs at all entry points.
What Is the MDAC?
The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) is a mandatory immigration requirement and electronic travel declaration that replaced the legacy paper IMM.26 form for all foreign nationals entering Malaysia. The digital replacement took effect on 1 January 2024; no paper option remains at any Malaysian entry point. MDAC is not a visa and cannot be refused.
Why Malaysia Replaced the Paper Arrival Card
Malaysia mandated the MDAC on 1 January 2024 to eliminate illegible handwritten forms, lost departure stubs, and manual processing delays at all entry points.
The Old Paper Arrival Card (IMM.26) – How It Worked
The paper arrival card (IMM.26) was a carbon-copy sheet with handwritten fields and a tear-off departure stub that travellers completed mid-flight or at border counters. It caused illegible entries, lost stubs, and manual processing delays.
Why the Transition Was Necessary
Malaysia’s Visa Liberalisation Plan drove the shift toward digital immigration control. The MDAC system eliminated handwriting errors and counter queues, enabling faster clearance and improved border security through real-time data verification. UK travellers submit via the government portal at imi.gov.my before departure.
Has the Paper Card Been Completely Eliminated?
Yes. Since 1 January 2024, the paper IMM.26 arrival card is no longer accepted at any Malaysian entry point. All foreign nationals must submit the digital MDAC instead. There is no paper fallback option available at the border.
MDAC vs Paper Arrival Card: Side-by-Side Comparison
The MDAC digitises most IMM.26 fields while eliminating the physical customs declaration, carbon-copy sheets, and tear-off departure stub entirely. This arrival card comparison shows exactly what changed.
| Paper IMM.26 Field | MDAC Equivalent | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger name (handwritten) | Digital passport scan | Changed |
| Flight number (manual entry) | Auto-filled from booking | Changed |
| Address in Malaysia (handwritten) | Accommodation auto-fill | Changed |
| Customs declaration section | Eliminated entirely | Eliminated ✓ |
| Physical signature | Digital confirmation | Changed |
| Departure stub (tear-off) | Eliminated entirely | Eliminated ✓ |
| Purpose of visit | Digital dropdown menu | Changed |
| Passport number (handwritten) | Auto-scanned from chip | New ★ |
| QR code confirmation | Generated on submission | New ★ |
| Email address | Required for confirmation delivery | New ★ |
MDAC eliminated carbon-copy sheets and departure stubs; required fields (passport, flight, accommodation, purpose, return ticket) are submitted via imi.gov.my.
How the MDAC Works – Submission Process
Travellers submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online via imi.gov.my within 72 hours before departure, providing passport details, flight number, and Malaysian accommodation address.
Visit the MDAC portal
Go to imi.gov.my and select the digital arrival card registration page.
Enter your passport details
Provide your passport information, including the passport number auto-scanned from the chip.
Provide flight and accommodation details
Enter your flight number and Malaysian accommodation address (hotel address required).
Select purpose of visit and confirm ticket
Select your purpose of visit and confirm your return or onward ticket details.
Receive your confirmation code
Get a confirmation code via email and validate it against your passport details at check-in.
The 3-Day Pre-Arrival Rule
The MDAC portal states that pre-arrival submission must be completed within 3 days (72 hours) prior to the date of arrival. Submissions made earlier than 72 hours before are not guaranteed to be accepted by the system. Missing this window risks denied boarding, as airlines verify MDAC confirmation codes at check-in.
What Data Do You Need to Provide?
Required fields include passport details, flight number, Malaysian accommodation address, purpose of visit, and return/onward ticket. The MDAC application process takes only minutes to complete.
Benefits of the Digital System
MDAC unlocks biometric gates at KLIA/KLIA2, eliminates the departure stub, and enables chip verification without printing.
- Autogate eligibility: MDAC submission is a prerequisite for using automated biometric gates at KLIA/KLIA2. UK passport holders are eligible, bypassing manual booths entirely.
- No departure stub to lose: The old IMM.26 paper arrival card included a tear-off departure portion travellers had to surrender on exit; the MDAC eliminates this completely.
- No printing needed: Verification is digital via passport chip – keep a screenshot or PDF as backup.
- Improved border security: Real-time data cross-referencing replaces manual handwriting checks.
How MDAC Unlocks Automated Border Control
MDAC is required for autogates at KLIA/KLIA2; UK holders get faster, queue-free clearance via biometric passport scanning instead of manual booths.
No More Departure Stub to Lose
The old IMM.26 had a tear-off departure portion travellers had to keep and surrender on exit. The MDAC eliminates this entirely – no stub to lose, no penalty risk.
MDAC vs Paper Arrival Card: What UK Travellers Need to Know
UK passport holders must submit an MDAC despite visa-free entry for up to 90 days, and MDAC submission grants autogate eligibility at Malaysian airports.
- Visa-free entry: UK citizens enjoy visa-free stays of up to 90 days in Malaysia, but the MDAC is a separate mandatory immigration requirement for all foreign nationals.
- Passport validity: British travellers need a passport valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of entry.
- Autogate access: MDAC submission unlocks autogate eligibility at KLIA and KLIA2 for UK nationals, enabling biometric passport scanning instead of manual booth queues.
- Onward ticket: Return or onward ticket details are required as part of the MDAC application process.
Do UK Citizens Need an MDAC?
Yes – mandatory for all foreign nationals; no exemption for visa-free entry. UK to Malaysia entry requirements in 2026 include both a valid MDAC and a passport with at least 6 months validity.
UK Passport Holders and Automated Gates
MDAC submission unlocks autogate eligibility at KLIA/KLIA2; UK passport holders who have submitted their MDAC can use biometric gates for faster, queue-free clearance instead of waiting at manual immigration booths.
The MDAC Is Free – Watch Out for Scam Portals
MDAC registration costs nothing – fees are zero. Only imi.gov.my is the official portal operated by Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia; third-party sites may charge unauthorised fees for the same free service. Always access the MDAC portal directly via imi.gov.my to avoid scam charges.
Do You Need to Print Your MDAC Confirmation?
No. Verification is digital via your passport chip at Malaysian entry points. However, keeping a screenshot or PDF of your confirmation email on your phone is recommended as a backup in case of technical issues at the airport.
What If You Forgot to Submit Your MDAC?
Travellers without a pre-submitted MDAC can use KLIA free Wi-Fi, airport kiosks, or a manual immigration counter fallback upon arrival.
- Use KLIA free Wi-Fi to complete MDAC registration on arrival.
- Airport MDAC kiosks are available for last-minute submission.
- A manual immigration counter serves as a fallback.
Group and Family Submission
Each traveller needs a separate MDAC; minors under 18 can be submitted by a parent or guardian through the same portal session.
FAQ
What is the MDAC, and how does it differ from the old paper arrival card?
The MDAC is a mandatory online arrival declaration that replaced the handwritten paper IMM.26 form, submitted via imi.gov.my before travel. The paper card was fully eliminated on 1 January 2024.
Why did Malaysia replace the paper arrival card with the digital MDAC system?
Malaysia replaced the paper IMM.26 to improve immigration efficiency, data accuracy, and border security, aligning with the Visa Liberalisation Plan.
How do I submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online before travel?
Visit imi.gov.my, enter passport details, flight number, Malaysian accommodation address, purpose of visit, and return ticket information. You receive a confirmation code via email within minutes.
What happens if I arrive in Malaysia without completing the MDAC?
You may face delays. KLIA offers free Wi-Fi and MDAC kiosks for on-arrival submission, and a manual counter fallback exists. Airlines may deny boarding without a submitted MDAC.
When exactly must I submit the MDAC – the 3-day rule explained?
Submit the MDAC within 3 days (72 hours) before departure to Malaysia. The safest approach is to file within the 72-hour window to ensure your data is current.
Is the MDAC system free, or are travellers charged a fee?
MDAC registration is completely free via imi.gov.my. Third-party websites may charge fees but are not endorsed by Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia.
Do UK passport holders need the MDAC if they have visa-free entry?
Yes. UK citizens enjoy visa-free stays of up to 90 days, but the MDAC is a separate mandatory requirement. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from entry.
Has the paper arrival card been completely eliminated at all Malaysian entry points?
Yes. Since 1 January 2024, the paper IMM.26 is no longer accepted. All foreign nationals must submit the digital MDAC instead.
Who is exempt from the MDAC requirement?
Malaysian citizens, permanent residents, and certain diplomatic pass holders are exempt. All other foreign nationals must complete the MDAC.
Can families submit one MDAC together?
No. Each traveller requires a separate MDAC. Minors under 18 can be submitted by a parent or guardian through the same portal session.
Do I need to print my MDAC confirmation?
No. Verification is digital via your passport chip. Keep a screenshot or PDF as backup in case of technical issues.
How does the MDAC affect border clearance speed and autogate usage?
MDAC is a prerequisite for autogates at KLIA/KLIA2. UK passport holders get faster, queue-free clearance instead of manual booths.
MDAC vs paper arrival card summary: The MDAC (Malaysia Digital Arrival Card) has fully replaced the old paper arrival card as of January 2024. Travellers must submit their MDAC online within 3 days before departure via imi.gov.my – it is free, takes minutes, and eliminates the need for paper forms and departure stubs at Malaysian entry points.
Published: 10 September 2026 | Last reviewed: 10 September 2026. This article is based on guidance from Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia (imi.gov.my). Requirements may change – always verify on imi.gov.my before travel. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration advice.
