How to Fill Out MDAC for Kota Kinabalu｜Malaysia Entry Card Guide & Travel Tips

 

If you're planning to travel to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, there's one essential step you must complete before your arrival:

Registering your MDAC (Malaysia Digital Arrival Card) online.

Since December 2023, Malaysia no longer requires a physical entry card. Instead, all foreign travelers — including South Koreans — must submit their arrival details through the MDAC system at least 3 days before entry. Skipping this step could delay your entry or cause unnecessary trouble at immigration.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to complete the MDAC process, when to submit it, what documents you need, and other important Malaysia arrival requirements to know in 2024.

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✅ What is MDAC? (Malaysia Digital Arrival Card)

MDAC stands for My Digital Arrival Card and is the official online entry declaration system for Malaysia.
It replaces the old handwritten arrival/departure cards.

Here’s what you need to know:

• You must fill it out within 3 days before your arrival

• It applies to ALL foreign travelers, including those who are visa-free

• One form per person — including children

• It must be done online at https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main

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📝 How to Fill Out MDAC Step-by-Step

1. Visit the Official Website
   → Open MDAC official page

2. Enter Your Personal Info
   → Full Name (as in passport), Nationality, Date of Birth, Gender, Occupation

3. Passport Details
   → Passport number, date of issue, expiry date

4. Travel Details
   → Flight number, country of departure, port of arrival (e.g., Kota Kinabalu International Airport)

5. Accommodation Info
   → Hotel name or local address of stay (no need for postal code)

6. Submit & Save
   → Once completed, save the confirmation page as a screenshot or PDF.
   → You may be asked to show this at immigration.

⚠️ Important:

• Do not submit MDAC too early. It must be within 3 calendar days before your arrival date.

• Each traveler (even kids) needs their own registration.

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📌 Malaysia Entry Tips for Korean Travelers

Even with MDAC submitted, there are a few things Korean travelers should check:

• Passport Validity
  → Must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry

• Return Flight Ticket
  → Immigration may ask to confirm your round-trip flight or onward travel

• Accommodation Proof
  → Have your hotel booking ready (email confirmation or screenshot)

• Arrival Cards
  → No paper arrival cards needed. MDAC replaces this.

• eGate System
  → Korean travelers can use Malaysia’s eGate for faster immigration from your second visit onward.
  Your first visit still requires manual processing.

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📋 Quick Summary Table

Category	Detail
System Name	MDAC (My Digital Arrival Card)
When to Submit	Within 3 days before arriving in Malaysia
Who Needs It	All foreign travelers, including South Koreans
Where to Submit	https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main
First Time Visit	Manual immigration only (eGate starts from second visit)
What to Bring	Passport, flight info, accommodation info, screenshot of MDAC result

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🧳 Final Pre-Arrival Checklist

• Passport with 6+ months validity

• MDAC submitted within 3 days of entry

• Flight ticket (round-trip or onward)

• Accommodation confirmation

• Screenshot or PDF of your MDAC

Taking 5 minutes to fill out MDAC can save you 30 minutes of confusion at the airport.
Prepare ahead, and enjoy a smooth arrival into Kota Kinabalu, one of Malaysia's most beautiful coastal cities!

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