KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign tourists or visitors entering the country are required to fill up the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC).
MDAC is part of the five main initiatives to improve the Immigration Department services, in line with the implementation of the visa liberalisation plan, which exempts a 30-day visa for tourists from China and India.
The Immigration Department said the new regulation, which came into effect last Friday, is however exempted for those transiting through Singapore, individuals with Permanent Resident (PR) status and holders of the Malaysia Automated Clearance System (MACS) card.
"All foreign tourists and visitors, except those on the exemption list, must submit the MDAC before arriving in the country," the department said in a Facebook post.
They can fill in their data online as early as three days before arriving in
Malaysia through the link https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main
To ensure the smooth arrival of foreign nationals, flexibility in filling out the MDAC is granted until Dec 7.
The 30-day visa exemption for tourists from China and India covers the period from Dec 1, 2023, to Dec 31, 2024, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last Tuesday.
Currently, gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iraq, and Iran, as well as all West Asian countries, including Turkey and Jordan, enjoy visa exemption facilities.
The same facility is also enjoyed by eight other Asean countries that allow visits for social, tourism, and business purposes for up to 30 days.
Other initiatives under the visa liberalisation plan include granting multiple-entry visa facilities for up to 30 days to all tourists wishing to enter the country.
Furthermore, a long-term social visit pass of up to 12 months is granted to international students who have completed their studies in the country to continue their education, travel, and work part-time.
The introduction of the plan also aims to generate national income, ensuring Malaysia remains a leading investment and tourism industry hub in Asia.