MDAC registration is the mandatory online process every foreign traveler must complete before entering Malaysia through the official immigration portal.
What Is MDAC Registration?
MDAC registration is the mandatory online process of submitting your arrival details to Malaysian immigration before entering the country. The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) replaced the traditional paper arrival card system on December 1, 2023, and applies to all foreign nationals entering Malaysia by air, land, or sea.
Every traveler, including infants and young children, must complete their own individual MDAC registration. Group submissions are not available on the official portal. The registration is completely free of charge and must be completed through the official Malaysian Immigration Department website at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main.
MDAC registration is separate from any visa requirement. Even travelers from visa-exempt countries must complete the MDAC before arrival. The only exceptions are Malaysian citizens, permanent residents, transit passengers who remain in the international transit area, and diplomats with special entry privileges.
Step-by-Step MDAC Registration Guide
Follow these seven steps to register your MDAC on the official imigresen-online.imi.gov.my portal within 72 hours of your arrival in Malaysia.
Step 1: Access the Official Portal
Open your web browser and navigate to imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main. This is the only official website for MDAC registration. Avoid third-party websites that charge fees or collect your personal data unnecessarily. The portal works on both desktop and mobile browsers.
Step 2: Click Register and Enter Personal Details
Click the Register button on the homepage. You will need to enter the following personal information exactly as it appears on your passport:
- Passport number – Enter without spaces or special characters
- Full legal name – Use the spelling from your passport MRZ (Machine Readable Zone) line, all uppercase
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Gender
- Contact number – Include international country code
- Email address – This is where your PIN code will be sent
Important: Use only passport MRZ line spelling. Do not use special characters, accents, or nicknames. All alphanumeric fields should be in uppercase.
Step 3: Provide Travel Information
Enter your arrival details including:
- Arrival date – Must be within 72 hours of submission
- Travel mode – Air, land, or sea
- Flight number, vehicle, or ferry number
- Country of embarkation – Where you are traveling from
- Intended departure date from Malaysia
Step 4: Add Accommodation Details
Provide your accommodation information in Malaysia:
- Full address including state, city, postcode, and street name; OR
- Hotel name and complete city
If you are transiting through Malaysia, enter “Transit Only” as the address and select “Transit” under accommodation type.
Step 5: Complete Health Declaration
Answer the health declaration questions truthfully. This section asks about your recent travel history, current health status, and relevant vaccination information. False declarations may result in entry denial or fines at the immigration counter.
Step 6: Review and Submit
Before clicking Submit, carefully review every field for typos or mismatches. Pay special attention to:
- Passport number – A single digit error will cause problems at immigration
- Full name – Must match your passport exactly
- Arrival date – Must be within the 72-hour submission window
Once you submit the form, you cannot edit core personal details like name, passport number, date of birth, or nationality. Only minor updates such as flight time changes are allowed before arrival.
Step 7: Save Your PIN Code
After clicking Submit, you will immediately receive a PIN code via email. This PIN code is essential for accessing your confirmation later. Save it in multiple places:
- Screenshot the email
- Write it down in a physical notebook
- Save it in your phone notes
The PIN code, combined with your passport number, allows you to view, download, and print your MDAC confirmation at any time.
Information Required for MDAC Registration
You need your passport, travel itinerary, accommodation address, and health declaration to complete MDAC registration. Here is the complete list of information to prepare before starting:
Personal Information:
– Valid passport number
– Full name as it appears on your passport
– Date of birth
– Nationality and gender
– Email address and phone number with international code
Travel Information:
– Arrival date in Malaysia
– Mode of transport (air, land, or sea)
– Flight or transport number
– Country you are departing from
– Planned departure date from Malaysia
Accommodation:
– Hotel name and city, OR full residential address in Malaysia (state, city, postcode, street)
Health Declaration:
– Recent travel history
– Current health status
– Vaccination information if applicable
Having all this information ready before you start will make the MDAC registration process faster and reduce the chance of errors.
After Registration: PIN Code and Confirmation
After submitting your MDAC registration, you receive a PIN code via email that lets you download your confirmation PDF with a QR code. This confirmation document is what you will present at the immigration counter when you arrive in Malaysia.
The confirmation PDF contains:
- Your unique QR code for immigration scanning
- All submitted personal and travel details
- Your registration reference number
Save the PDF in multiple formats:
– Download to your phone for offline access
– Save to a tablet or laptop as backup
– Print a physical copy as a secondary backup
You will need this confirmation for airline check-in and immigration clearance upon arrival. Airlines may ask to see your MDAC confirmation before allowing you to board your flight to Malaysia.
Checking Your MDAC Registration Status
Use the Check Registration feature on the MDAC portal with your passport number and PIN code to verify or download your submission. To check your registration status:
- Go to imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main
- Click Check Registration (usually in the top right corner)
- Enter your passport number
- Enter the PIN code you received via email
- View, download, or print your confirmation document
If you have lost your PIN code, check your email inbox (including spam/junk folders) for the original confirmation email from the Malaysian Immigration Department. The email subject typically contains “MDAC” or “Malaysia Digital Arrival Card.”
Registering MDAC for Family Members and Children
You can fill out MDAC on behalf of family members, but each traveler including infants needs their own individual registration. There is no group or family submission option on the official portal.
For children and infants:
– Each child needs a separate MDAC registration using their own passport
– A parent or guardian can complete the registration on the child’s behalf
– The child must carry the printed or digital confirmation when traveling
For elderly family members:
– You can complete the registration for elderly relatives who may have difficulty with the online form
– Ensure you have their passport details accurate before starting
– Send the confirmation PDF to their phone or print it for them
Important: The person whose name is on the MDAC registration must be the one presenting it at immigration. Each traveler should carry their own confirmation document.
Common MDAC Registration Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid passport number typos, name mismatches, and late submissions – core details cannot be edited after you submit the form. Here are the most common mistakes travelers make during MDAC registration:
Passport number errors:
– Entering the wrong number or transposing digits
– Including spaces or special characters when none exist
– Using an old passport number instead of the current one
Name mismatches:
– Using a nickname instead of the legal passport name
– Not matching the MRZ line spelling on the passport
– Adding or omitting middle names inconsistently
Timing issues:
– Submitting more than 72 hours before arrival (will be rejected)
– Submitting too close to departure (risk of website issues)
– Not accounting for time zone differences
Email mistakes:
– Using an email you cannot access while traveling
– Not checking spam folders for the PIN code email
– Typo in the email address (PIN code goes to wrong inbox)
What If You Submit Incorrect Information?
If you notice an error after submission, you must submit a completely new MDAC form since core fields cannot be edited. The system does not allow modifications to:
- Passport number
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Nationality
To correct these errors:
1. Start a new registration at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main
2. Enter the correct information
3. Submit the new form
4. Use the new PIN code and confirmation going forward
For minor changes like flight number or arrival time, you may be able to update these before arrival through the portal.
FAQ
How do I register for MDAC online?
Visit imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main, click Register, enter your passport details, travel information, accommodation, and health declaration, then submit. You will receive a PIN code via email for accessing your confirmation.
Is MDAC registration free?
Yes, MDAC registration is completely free of charge on the official Malaysian Immigration Department portal. Be cautious of third-party websites that charge fees for MDAC registration.
When should I register for MDAC?
You must complete MDAC registration within 72 hours (3 days) before your arrival in Malaysia. Submitting earlier than 72 hours will result in rejection by the system.
Can I edit my MDAC after registration?
No, core personal details like name, passport number, date of birth, and nationality cannot be edited after submission. If you made an error in these fields, you need to submit a new MDAC registration.
How do I get my MDAC PIN code?
The PIN code is sent to your email address immediately after you submit the MDAC form. Check your inbox and spam folders for an email from the Malaysian Immigration Department containing your PIN.
Do I need to print my MDAC confirmation?
It is recommended to both save the PDF on your phone for offline access and print a physical copy as backup. Airlines and immigration counters may ask to see your MDAC confirmation.
Can I register MDAC for someone else?
Yes, you can complete MDAC registration on behalf of family members, elderly parents, or children. However, each traveler must have their own individual registration and must carry their own confirmation document.
What is the official MDAC registration website?
The only official website for MDAC registration is imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main, operated by the Malaysian Immigration Department (Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia).
Do children need their own MDAC registration?
Yes, every traveler including infants and young children needs their own individual MDAC registration. A parent or guardian can complete the registration on behalf of the child using the child’s passport details.
How do I check my MDAC registration status?
Go to imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main and click Check Registration. Enter your passport number and PIN code to view, download, or print your confirmation document with the QR code.
What if the MDAC website is not working?
If the official portal is temporarily unavailable, try again after a few minutes. Government websites occasionally experience downtime during maintenance. Avoid using unofficial third-party sites as alternatives.
Do transit passengers need MDAC registration?
Transit passengers who remain in the international transit area and do not clear Malaysian immigration are exempt. However, if you need to clear immigration during transit, you must complete MDAC registration.
Last updated: July 2026
Source: Malaysian Immigration Department (Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia) – imigresen-online.imi.gov.my
