The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) is a free, mandatory online declaration submitted before travel – not a visa. Visa on Arrival (VoA) is a border-issued visa costing RM 200 (~£35) available only to select nationalities, granting a maximum 15-day non-extendable stay. UK citizens need MDAC only and receive 90 days visa-free entry.
The MDAC vs visa on arrival distinction is straightforward: MDAC is an electronic arrival card submitted online within 72 hours before travel; VoA is an actual visa purchased at designated Malaysian immigration checkpoints. British passport holders get 90-day visa-free entry with free MDAC only, no VoA required.
What Is the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)?
MDAC is a free online declaration submitted within 72 hours before arrival – not a visa and cannot be refused. The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card is the standard pre-arrival registration for most travellers entering Malaysia in 2026, as confirmed by the Immigration Department of Malaysia (imi.gov.my).
How to Complete the MDAC Online Form
Complete the online form
Visit mdac.imi.gov.my and fill in your valid passport details
Enter travel details
Provide nationality, arrival date, and departure date
Submit and confirm
Receive a confirmation email for immigration clearance
Biometric passport holders (UK, EU, US, Australia) can use the autogate at KLIA with their MDAC confirmation email for seamless immigration clearance.
When Should You Submit Your MDAC?
The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card must be submitted within 3 days (72 hours) before arrival. If your flight arrives 25 September 2026, submit by 22 September 2026. Free registration – RM 0, no government fee applies.
Who Is Exempt from MDAC Submission?
- Singapore citizens
- Diplomatic passport holders
- Malaysian permanent residents
- Transit passengers remaining airside
Visa on Arrival (VoA) for Malaysia
Malaysia’s Visa on Arrival costs RM 200 (~£35), grants a 15-day non-extendable stay, and is available only to select nationalities at designated immigration checkpoints: KLIA, KLIA2, Johor Bahru, and Langkawi.
VoA is a border-issued tourist visa costing RM 200, available only to select nationalities at KLIA, KLIA2, Johor Bahru and Langkawi. Applicants must present proof of at least US$500 (cash or credit) and a confirmed return ticket before border officers issue the VoA stamp. The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) does not replace VoA for nationalities that require a visa; it is a separate declaration layer.
The Discontinued eNTRI Programme – What Happened?
The Electronic Travel Registration and Information (eNTRI) programme – formerly available to Indian and Chinese citizens – is a permanently discontinued programme that does not exist in 2026. It has been replaced by the eVisa and standard visa waivers paired with the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card.
eNTRI was an electronic registration system allowing Indian and Chinese passport holders short-stay entry to Malaysia. No application page exists. Travellers who previously used eNTRI must now apply for an eVisa or qualify for visa-free entry with MDAC. The MDAC remains mandatory regardless of which visa pathway applies.
MDAC vs Visa on Arrival – Key Differences
The MDAC vs visa on arrival distinction hinges on cost, timing, and eligibility. MDAC is free, submitted online before travel, and valid at all Malaysian border points; VoA costs RM 200 (~£35), is issued at the border counter, and is limited to a 15-day non-extendable stay. MDAC is a digital arrival declaration, not a visa.
MDAC is free of charge for all travellers, as confirmed by the Immigration Department of Malaysia (imi.gov.my). Third-party platforms such as Atlys charge a $6 USD service fee for processing, not a government levy. VoA carries a statutory border fee of RM 200, payable at the immigration counter upon arrival.
| Feature | Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) | Visa on Arrival (VoA) | eNTRI (Discontinued) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | RM 200 (~£35) | N/A |
| Stay Duration | Up to 30/90 days* | 15 days (non-extendable) | N/A |
| Eligibility | Most nationalities | Select nationalities only | Indian & Chinese citizens only |
| Submission | Online, 3 days before arrival | At border immigration counter | N/A |
| Extension | Possible (at immigration office, under social visit pass) | Not possible | N/A |
| Status in 2026 | ✅ Active | ✅ Active | ❌ Permanently discontinued |
*UK citizens receive 90 days; other nationalities may receive 30 days depending on passport. Holders of a social visit pass granted through MDAC can extend stay at an immigration office, whereas VoA holders cannot.
Which Entry Method Applies to Your Nationality?
UK, US, EU, and Australian passport holders enter visa-free with the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) only; Indian citizens need an eVisa; Chinese citizens may use VoA or eVisa. Your nationality sets the visa layer on top of the mandatory MDAC. UK citizens receive 90 days visa-free entry paired with MDAC submission, with no VoA required.
| Nationality | Entry Method | Stay Duration | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧 UK | Visa-free + MDAC | 90 days | Free | Biometric passport holders can use autogate at KLIA |
| 🇮🇳 India | eVisa | 30 days | ~$50 (eVisa fee) | eNTRI no longer available |
| 🇨🇳 China | VoA or eVisa | 15-30 days | RM 200 (VoA) or ~$50 (eVisa) | VoA only at designated ports |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | Visa-free + MDAC | 90 days | Free | Biometric passport = autogate eligible |
| 🇺🇸 USA | Visa-free + MDAC | 90 days | Free | Biometric passport = autogate eligible |
| 🇪🇺 EU (Schengen) | Visa-free + MDAC | 90 days | Free | Biometric passport = autogate eligible |
Verify your specific entry requirements through the Immigration Department of Malaysia or UK government travel advice for Malaysia (gov.uk) before departure, as visa policies can shift between publication and your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UK citizens need a Visa on Arrival for Malaysia in 2026?
No – UK citizens enter visa-free for 90 days with MDAC only.
Is there a fee for the MDAC in Malaysia?
No government fee – MDAC is free (RM 0). Third-party services like Atlys charge $6 USD as a processing fee, not a government levy.
What happens if I enter Malaysia without completing my MDAC?
Failing to submit MDAC within 72 hours before arrival will cause delays at immigration clearance.
Can my MDAC application be refused?
No – MDAC is a digital arrival declaration, not a visa. Accurate submission within 72 hours guarantees processing.
In the MDAC vs visa on arrival comparison, how long can I stay in Malaysia?
MDAC grants UK citizens 90 days; other nationalities may receive 30 days. VoA grants 15 days, non-extendable.
Where can I check the latest Malaysia entry requirements for my passport?
Check the Immigration Department of Malaysia (imi.gov.my) or UK government travel advice (gov.uk).
What documents do I need for a Visa on Arrival at a Malaysian airport?
Valid passport, confirmed return ticket, and proof of at least US$500 (cash or credit). VoA fee RM 200 payable at the counter.
Can I extend my stay if I entered Malaysia on a Visa on Arrival?
No – VoA is non-extendable; overstaying incurs penalties.
Is the eNTRI programme still available for Malaysian entry in 2026?
No – eNTRI is permanently discontinued in 2026, replaced by eVisa and standard visa waivers.
Which Malaysian airports support the autogate for MDAC holders?
Biometric passport holders from UK, EU, US, and Australia can use autogate at KLIA.
