Are you planning to travel to Malaysia? You may need to find out about the MDAC which is a new entry requirement for foreign visitors. It is compulsory for most foreigners who are visiting Malaysia to fill in. This article will explain what a Malaysia arrival card is, how to get it, and how to use it, ensuring you will have a smooth experience when you enter Malaysia.
What Is Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)?
MDAC is short for Malaysia Digital Arrival Card, an online pre-arrival form newly introduced by the Malaysian government. All travelers who want to enter Malaysia have to complete this form before they arrive in the country. Both personal and traveling information such as passport numbers and date of arrival are needed on the form. The MDAC is mandatory and effective from January 1st, 2024. It has streamlined the entry process and it has benefited many travellers giving them a faster entry experience when they arrive in Malaysia.
That being said, certain types of people do not need to submit MDAC prior to their arrival. We will talk about it in the following passage.
Do I Need to Fill in Malaysia Arrival Card in 2024?
As mentioned above, not everyone needs to fill in the Malaysia arrival card online, despite it is necessary for most foreign visitors. Singaporeans traveling to Malaysia don’t need to fill in the MDAC form, but please note that this applies to Singapore’s permanent citizens. If you are only driving from Singapore, you are not exempted from the MDAC application.
Who Is Exempted from MDAC Application?
According to Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, certain categories of travelers are exempted from submitting the MDAC form. These exemptions are:
- Singaporeans
- Diplomatic and official passport holders
- Malaysia long-term passport holders
- Brunei GCI (General Certificate of Identity) holders
- Brunei Malaysia frequent traveler facility holders
- Thailand border pass holders
- Indonesia cross-border travel document (PLB) holders
The exemption categories have provided those who travel to Malaysia frequently with hassle-free entry.
Malaysia Digital Arrival Card Registration Process
If you are not on the exemption list, understanding the process of applying for a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card is essential. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Go to the MDAC website.
Visit the official website of Malaysia’s Immigration Department.
- Fill out the MDAC form.
Click “Register” and go to a new page for registration. Fill out the MDAC form on this web page, providing your detailed information including passport numbers, nationality, date of arrival, etc. Double-check the information you fill in to avoid any mistakes.
- Submit the MDAC form.
After you fill in all the necessary information, click the “Submit” button and a proof of submission will be sent to your e-mail address. There is no need to pay for the registration. It is free.
- Keep a record.
Keep a record of your MDAC submission because you will need it when you cross the border. You can save the confirmation e-mail or take a screenshot of the confirmation web page.
How Early Do I Need to Apply for MDAC?
Starting from January 1, 2024, foreign travelers are required to complete and submit the MDAC form 3 days before they arrive in Malaysia. Before this date, there used to be a grace period allowing travelers to apply for MDAC upon their arrival at the Malaysia entry points because a lot of travelers do not know about the new rules until they arrive, but the flexibility is no longer given after January 1. Therefore, it is important to make sure you get your MDAC beforehand to avoid delays or troubles that may caused by late registration.
How Much Does MDAC Registration Cost?
MDAC registration online is completely free of charge. The MDAC is designed to improve the service of Malaysia’s Immigration Department. It is under the Visa Liberalisation Plan which aims to attract foreign tourists. There is no need to worry about the cost of it.
How to Use MDAC When You Arrive in Malaysia?
If you are among the travelers who need an MDAC and have successfully received one, the next thing you need to know about is how to use it when you arrive in Malaysia. Here we will walk you through the steps:
- Present a valid passport.
All travelers who arrive in Malaysia must have a valid passport. Make sure you have your passport ready. If you travel by air, your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months while for visitors who travel by land, their passports need to be valid for at least 3 months. You must pass through an immigration booth to have your passport stamped. Don’t pass an unattended immigration booth because your travel documents should be processed by a Malaysian immigration officer before you enter the country.
- Present MDAC confirmation.
Show your MDAC confirmation at the immigration counter. Both printed and digital versions are acceptable for verification.
- Use the automated (e-gate) system if you are eligible.
The autogate system is an automated entry system that offers a faster entry process for certain eligible travelers. To use the autogate, you must meet the following requirements:
- You are a citizen from the 63 countries that are allowed to use the autogate for immigration clearance. These countries include:
- Australia
- Albania
- Austria
- Andorra
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Brunei
- Belarus
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Canada
- China
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Georgia
- Hong Kong SAR, China
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Iceland
- Italy
- Japan
- Jordan
- Korea
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Qatar
- Poland
- Portugal
- Republic of Cyprus
- Romania
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan, China
- Türkiye
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Your MDAC has been submitted 3 days before your arrival.
- For your first arrival, it is mandatory to record your fingerprints and have your passport verified at a manual counter. After it is done, you can enter and exit the autogate without this step for future trips.
- An e-passport is required.
How to Use the Autogate System for Singaporeans?
As you may know, Singapore has a close relationship with Malaysia and Singaporeans are exempted from the MDAC application. Generally speaking, there is no need to get a Malaysia digital arrival card for Singaporean before their departure to Malaysia. That being said, to utilize the autogate system, Singaporeans will have to submit the MDAC form 3 days prior to their arrival as well. On top of that, if you are a Singapore citizen and use the autogate for the first time, you still need to go to a manual counter. At the counter, you have to enroll your fingerprints and present your passport for verification as mentioned above. Once you are successfully enrolled, you can use the autogate. For future access, you will not have to go through this step and you can enter the autogate directly upon arrival.
FAQ
📌Do Singaporeans need a visa to Malaysia?
No. Singaporeans do not need a visa to enter Malaysia and they can stay for up to 30 days, but please note that a valid passport is still required and it has to be valid for at least 6 months when you enter.
📌How long can Singaporeans stay in Malaysia without a visa?
Singaporeans can stay in Malaysia for up to 30 days visa-free.
📌How many times can Singaporeans enter Malaysia?
The MACS (Malaysia Automated Clearance System) is issued to Singaporeans who have obtained long-term immigration passes such as student passes, employment passes and more. For these Singaporeans, they can enter Malaysia frequently within the required duration of stay. Keep in mind that the facility of MACS is only available at land checkpoints in Johor.
📌Can Singaporeans use e-gates in Malaysia?
Yes. Singaporeans can use e-gates in Malaysia if they follow the access requirements including enrolling fingerprints at the counter for their first entry and submitting MDAC 3 days ahead of every entry.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the MDAC is a crucial requirement for travelers who intend to visit Malaysia. Whether you need to fill in an MDAC mainly depends on your travel documents and how you enter the country. For most foreign visitors, it is a necessary requirement, whereas for Singaporeans, it is not mandatory if you do not use the e-gates. Understanding the requirements and process of arriving in Malaysia will ensure you a hassle-free travel experience.