MDAC Guide 2026: How Indian Travellers Can Fill the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card

If You Are Travelling to Malaysia in 2026, You Need to Know About MDAC

Malaysia is one of the fastest-growing international destinations for Indian travellers, offering visa-free entry for up to 30 days — a policy that remains valid through the end of 2026. But visa-free does not mean paperwork-free.

Before you board your flight, every traveller entering Malaysia must complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card, known as MDAC. This is a mandatory online registration introduced by the Malaysian Immigration Department on 1 December 2023, replacing the old paper arrival card.

Many Indian travellers assume that visa-free entry means no documentation is needed at all. That assumption is the single biggest cause of delays at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and other entry points. This guide covers exactly what MDAC is, who needs it, and how to fill it correctly before you fly.

What Is the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)?

The MDAC is an official online form required by the Malaysian government for nearly all foreign nationals entering the country. It replaced the traditional paper arrival card to speed up immigration processing and strengthen border security.

The form captures your personal details, passport information, travel itinerary, and Malaysia accommodation address. Once submitted, you receive a confirmation that immigration officers can verify electronically when you arrive — there is no physical document or QR printout strictly required, though keeping a digital copy is recommended.

In short, MDAC is Malaysia's digital pre-registration of your arrival, completed entirely online before you travel.

Key Point: The MDAC is free to submit through the official Malaysian Immigration Department portal. It is valid for a single entry only — if you leave and re-enter Malaysia, a fresh MDAC is required.

Who Needs to Fill the MDAC?

Almost every foreign traveller entering Malaysia must complete the MDAC, regardless of nationality or visa status. This includes:

•        Indian tourists travelling to Malaysia on a visa-free entry (up to 30 days)

•        Travellers holding a Malaysia eVisa or visa on arrival

•        Business visitors and students entering for short-term stays

•        Transit passengers who clear Malaysian immigration (not those staying within the international transit zone)

•        Travellers entering by air, land, or sea through official checkpoints

The main exemptions are Singapore citizens, long-term pass holders, and travellers using a border pass. If you are an Indian traveller on a standard Malaysia tour package, none of these exemptions applies to you — you will need to complete the MDAC.

When Should You Fill the MDAC?

The MDAC must be submitted within 3 days (72 hours) before your arrival in Malaysia. The portal will not accept submissions outside this window.

Example: If you are arriving in Malaysia on 12 August, the earliest you can submit your MDAC is 8 August, and the latest is 11 August — the day before you travel.

Submitting too early will result in rejection by the system. Submitting too late — for instance, at the airport right before boarding — risks delays if you run into connectivity issues or form errors.

Recommended Timing: Fill your MDAC at least 24 hours before your flight departs, giving yourself a buffer to fix any mistakes.

What You Need Before You Start

Keep these details ready before opening the MDAC portal — the form takes only a few minutes if you are prepared:

•        Your Indian passport — valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay in Malaysia

•        Your flight details — arrival date, flight number, and port of entry

•        Your Malaysia accommodation address — hotel name and full address

•        Your email address — confirmation will be sent here

•        Basic personal details — full name, nationality, and contact number

All information must match your passport exactly. Avoid using nicknames, initials, or shortened names that differ from your passport's name field.

How to Fill the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card — Step by Step

Follow these steps on the official Malaysian Immigration Department MDAC portal:

Step 1 — Visit the Official MDAC Portal

Access the official Malaysia Digital Arrival Card website. There is no fee to register, and you do not need to create a long-term account — each submission is tied to your specific trip.

Step 2 — Click 'Register' and Enter Personal Details

Fill in your full name exactly as it appears on your passport, your passport number, nationality, date of birth, and email address. Double-check spelling before continuing — this is the most common source of errors.

Step 3 — Enter Your Travel Information

Provide your arrival date, the port of entry (airport, land checkpoint, or seaport), and your flight number if travelling by air. If you have booked a Malaysia tour package, this information will be on your itinerary confirmation.

Step 4 — Enter Your Accommodation Address in Malaysia

Enter the full address of your hotel or accommodation in Malaysia. If your trip covers multiple cities — for example, Kuala Lumpur followed by Langkawi — enter the address of your first stop, since the MDAC is tied to your initial point of entry.

Step 5 — Review All Details Carefully

Before submitting, review every field. Pay particular attention to your passport number and the spelling of your name — these typically cannot be corrected once submitted, and an error may require you to register again.

Step 6 — Submit and Check Your Email

Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation to your registered email address. Save this confirmation — either as a screenshot or a downloaded copy — so you can access it even without internet connectivity at the airport.

Travelling as a Family or Group? What You Need to Know

Every traveller — including children and infants — requires an individual MDAC submission. There is no single combined form for a family or group; each person's passport details must be entered separately.

Travel Agency Tip: If you've booked Malaysia tour packages from India through Dook International, your travel coordinator can guide you through the MDAC process and confirm your accommodation details ahead of time. However, each traveller must complete their own submission individually.

Common MDAC Mistakes Indian Travellers Must Avoid

•        Assuming visa-free entry means MDAC is not required — it is mandatory regardless of visa status

•        Submitting more than 3 days before arrival — the portal will reject the date

•        Entering a nickname or shortened name that doesn't match the passport

•        Leaving the accommodation address incomplete or vague

•        Not saving the confirmation before reaching the airport — relying on weak airport Wi-Fi to retrieve it later

•        Forgetting that MDAC is valid for one entry only — a fresh form is needed if you exit and re-enter Malaysia during the same trip

MDAC vs Malaysia Visa — What Is the Difference?

This is the point of confusion that causes the most last-minute stress for Indian travellers.

A visa (or visa exemption) determines your legal right to enter Malaysia and for how long. Indian passport holders currently enjoy 30-day visa-free entry, valid through the end of 2026, so no visa application is required for short trips.

The MDAC is a completely separate administrative requirement — an advanced digital registration of your arrival details. It applies whether you are visa-free, hold an eVisa, or have a visa on arrival. Having a visa-free status does not exempt you from completing the MDAC.

In simple terms, the visa is your permission to enter; the MDAC is your advance notice that you are entering.

What Happens If You Do Not Fill the MDAC?

When you hand over your passport at the immigration counter, the officer checks your MDAC status electronically. If it is missing, you will be directed aside to complete it on the spot — typically on slow airport Wi-Fi, after a long flight, with other passengers queued behind you.

This can cause significant delays, particularly during peak arrival hours at KLIA. Completing the MDAC before you fly, when you have stable internet and time to double-check details, avoids this entirely.

Planning a Malaysia Tour Package from India? Here Is What to Know

For Indian travellers booking Malaysia tour packages — whether exploring Kuala Lumpur's skyline, Langkawi's beaches, Penang's heritage streets, or Borneo's rainforests — the MDAC is one of three pre-travel essentials to confirm before departure:

1.     Confirm your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay in Malaysia

2.     Submit your MDAC online within 3 days of your arrival date

3.     Save your MDAC confirmation along with your return ticket and hotel booking details for immigration

If you are booking a structured Malaysia tour package through a travel agency, your itinerary confirmation will have the accommodation details you need to complete the MDAC accurately and avoid last-minute scrambling.

Ready to Book Your Malaysia Trip from India?

Malaysia continues to be one of the most accessible and rewarding international destinations for Indian travellers — combining city skylines, island beaches, rainforests, and halal-friendly cuisine in one compact trip. With 30-day visa-free entry and an MDAC process that takes just a few minutes, the journey from planning to landing has never been simpler.

If you are planning a Malaysia tour package from India — whether a Kuala Lumpur and Genting Highlands circuit, a Langkawi beach escape, or a Penang heritage and food trail — Dook International's Malaysia travel specialists can help with the complete journey: flights, hotels, transfers, itinerary planning, and pre-travel guidance, including MDAC support.

Explore Malaysia tour packages from India at dookinternational.com or call us at 011-40001000 to speak with a travel expert.

Disclaimer: Entry requirements and digital forms are subject to change. Always verify current MDAC requirements on the official Malaysian Immigration Department portal before travel.