Indian travellers flying to Malaysia need to complete the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online before they arrive. It must be submitted within three days of arrival, counting the day you submit. It is a digital declaration, not a visa. Use only the Malaysian Immigration Department’s official portal, because lookalike websites exist that charge fees.
Updated October 2026 · HappyFares
If you have a Malaysia trip coming up, the MDAC is one of the last things to sort out before your flight. Here is what it is and how to file it safely.
What is the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card?
The MDAC is an online form run by the Immigration Department of Malaysia. It asks for personal details, passport details, travel details and where you will stay.
It is not a visa and not a permit to enter. Whether you may enter at all depends on your passport and visa status, and the border officer still decides on arrival. The MDAC is the declaration that goes alongside those requirements.
Who has to submit it?
Reports on the rule say most foreign visitors must submit the MDAC before arrival, which includes Indian passport holders. Singapore citizens are reported as exempt, along with a few other groups such as diplomats and Malaysian permanent residents. Sources differ slightly on the exact exemption list, so if you hold an unusual status, check the official portal.
Details should match the passport you will travel on exactly.
When should I submit it, and does it cost anything?
The official MDAC page states that your trip must be within 3 days, including the date of submission. In practice, if you arrive on the 10th, you can file on the 8th, the 9th or the 10th. Do not file weeks ahead, because an early submission may not be valid.
The form on the official portal is free. If a site asks for a payment to process your MDAC, you are not on the official site.
- File one or two days before departure, not at the last minute at the airport.
- Keep a screenshot or printout of the confirmation along with your passport.
- If your flight timing changes by a day or more, check that the date on your card still fits the three-day window.
Do Indians need a visa for Malaysia in 2026?
Malaysia has offered a 30-day visa exemption to Indian citizens, and news reports say the arrangement was extended through 31 December 2026. Visitors are generally expected to show a return ticket and proof of sufficient funds. We could not find a notice on the Immigration Department site itself, and we found no announcement extending it beyond 31 December 2026. Because the exemption has an end date, check the latest announcement from the Malaysian Immigration Department or the Malaysian High Commission if you plan to travel at the end of 2026 or later.
Check your passport’s validity and the other entry conditions on the official Malaysian sources before you book, since airlines can refuse boarding if your documents do not meet the destination’s requirements.
How do I avoid fake MDAC websites?
After the MDAC began, Malaysian agencies and media warned about copycat sites posing as the official portal and charging fees. A few simple habits protect you:
- Go to the Immigration Department’s official portal at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my and do not follow links from adverts or messages.
- Never pay anything for the MDAC itself.
- Be wary of any page that asks for card details or promises a visa along with the form.
- If you use an agent, ask them to show you the free confirmation from the official portal.
An aviation fact while you plan: most flights from India to the Malaysian capital land at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, whose airport code is KUL.
What should I do before the flight?
A short checklist makes the trip smoother. Book your flight and note the exact arrival date in local time, since a late-night flight can land on the next calendar day. Then file the MDAC within the window, save the confirmation, and keep it with your passport and your return ticket.
Because Indian visitors are generally asked to show a return or onward ticket, choose your return date before you fly rather than planning to decide later. If you may need to change dates, compare fare types: IndiGo offers Saver and Flexi Plus, and Air India and Air India Express offer Value, Classic and Flex, with the flexible options usually allowing cheaper changes. Airline rules differ, so read the fare conditions.
Finally, think about insurance. A policy can help with medical costs abroad and with some trip disruptions, but cover differs by policy, so read what is included before you buy.
Common Questions
Is the MDAC free?
Yes. The official portal does not charge for it. Any site asking for a fee is not the official one.
How many days before arrival can I submit it?
Within three days of arrival, counting the day you submit. For an arrival on the 10th, filing from the 8th is the usual reading.
Is the MDAC a visa?
No. It is a digital arrival declaration. Visa rules are separate.
Do children need their own MDAC?
The official portal is built around individual traveller details, so check its instructions for family travel before you file, and make sure details match each person’s passport.
What if my flight is delayed to the next day?
Check that your arrival date still falls inside the three-day window. If it no longer does, you may need to submit a new card.
Is web check-in free on flights to Malaysia?
Web check-in and airport check-in are both free with Indian airlines. For foreign carriers, check that airline’s own policy.
Planning a trip to Malaysia? Search and compare flights on HappyFares, set a price alert, and consider travel insurance for your journey. Meera, our AI assistant, can help you find a suitable flight.
Entry rules and fees change. Verify current specifics with the Malaysian Immigration Department, the High Commission of Malaysia, or your airline before you travel.
