Who Needs MDAC? Eligibility and Exemptions
Foreign visitors generally need to complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) before arriving in Malaysia, unless they fall within an official exempt category.
Who Generally Needs MDAC?
MDAC is an online pre-arrival registration of your traveler and trip details. Foreign visitors travelling to Malaysia generally need to complete it before they arrive, whether they travel by air, land or sea, unless they belong to one of the exempt groups below. If you are not sure whether you are exempt, check your own status before you travel.
Who Is Exempt?
The following groups are exempt from MDAC:
- Citizens of Singapore
- Diplomatic and official passport holders
- Malaysia Permanent Residents and long-term pass holders
- General Certificate of Identity (GCI) Brunei Darussalam holders
- Brunei-Malaysia Frequent Traveller Facility holders
- Thailand Border Pass holders
- Indonesia Cross-Border Travel Document (PLB) holders
These groups are defined by citizenship, passport type or a specific pass or status. Most tourists are not in an exempt group.
MDAC and Visas Are Separate
MDAC is not a visa and does not replace any visa requirement. Whether you need a visa depends on your passport and the purpose of your trip, and it is a separate question from MDAC.
Being able to travel to Malaysia without a visa does not automatically make you exempt from MDAC. Exemption depends on belonging to one of the exempt groups above.
When to Complete MDAC
The traveler's trip must be within 3 days, including the date of submission. MDAC is therefore meant to be completed in the days just before you travel. For a walkthrough, see how to apply or read our guide to visa rules and MDAC.