Precise Timing is Mandatory: How to Calculate Your Submission Date Correctly
Planning a trip often involves getting tasks done well in advance, but the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) is a notable exception. The Immigration Department of Malaysia strictly enforces the MDAC 3-Day Submission Rule, making precise timing absolutely critical for compliance.
If you submit the form too early, your data will be invalidated, forcing you to resubmit or face lengthy delays upon arrival. Trevalo clarifies the MDAC submission window and provides simple examples to ensure you hit the target every time.
Section 1: Understanding the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card MDAC 3-Day Submission Rule
The MDAC is intended to be a real-time snapshot of your travel plans, which is why the submission window is so narrow.
The Rule in Detail
The MDAC must be submitted no earlier than three (3) days before your scheduled date of arrival in Malaysia.
- Arrival Day Counts: The date you arrive in Malaysia is counted as the third day in the calculation.
- Time of Submission: The submission window opens exactly 72 hours (3 days) before your scheduled arrival time (using Malaysia Standard Time, GMT+8).
Why the Strict Window?
The form’s tight submission limit emphasizes its role as an arrival declaration rather than a long-term travel permit.
- Real-Time Data Vetting: It ensures the Immigration Department reviews the most current travel and health risk data available immediately before your entry.
- Prevents Redundancy: Since the MDAC captures your flight/transport and accommodation details, requiring a recent submission reduces the chance of obsolete data being submitted by travelers who may change their plans weeks in advance.
- Autogate Requirement: The MDAC is the digital key for Autogate access. The system requires a current, valid MDAC entry on file for that specific journey to function.
Section 2: Calculating Your Malaysia Digital Arrival Card MDAC Submission Date (Examples)
To avoid confusion, here is how to calculate the earliest possible time you can submit your Malaysia Digital Arrival Card MDAC. Always use the date/time of your arrival in Malaysia.
| Scenario | Arrival Date & Time (Malaysia Time) | Submission Window Opens | Deadline (Latest) |
| A: Weekend Trip | Wednesday, 20th November @ 9:00 AM | Sunday, 17th November @ 9:00 AM | Wednesday, 20th Nov (at the counter) |
| B: Early Morning Flight | Monday, 5th May @ 6:00 AM | Friday, 2nd May @ 6:00 AM | Monday, 5th May (at the counter) |
| C: Late Night Arrival | Friday, 12th December @ 11:30 PM | Tuesday, 9th December @ 11:30 PM | Friday, 12th Dec (at the counter) |
TREVALO TIP: Time Zone Alert!
If you are flying from a different time zone (e.g., London or New York), you must convert your arrival time to Malaysia Standard Time (GMT+8) to calculate the exact 72-hour window. Submitting based on your departure time zone will likely result in an invalid submission.
Section 3: Consequences of Submitting Malaysia Digital Arrival Card MDAC Too Early
While there is no formal penalty for submitting early, the action itself renders your submission invalid for your intended trip.
- Invalid Submission: If you submit outside the 72-hour window, the system registers the form as either expired or invalid for your arrival date.
- Mandatory Resubmission: You will be required to resubmit the MDAC while traveling, or upon arrival at the immigration counter.
- Guaranteed Delay: Immigration officers are trained to look for a valid, recent MDAC submission. If yours is invalid, you will be directed to a manual process, resulting in 15-30 minutes of additional waiting time at an already busy counter.
- Autogate Denial: If you are an eligible Autogate user, an invalid or early submission will cause the gate to reject your passport, forcing you back to the long manual counter queue.
What Happens If You Make a Mistake?
If you realize you submitted the form too early or made a data error:
- Action: Do not try to edit the old form. You must simply resubmit a brand new Malaysia Digital Arrival Card MDAC using the correct details and ensuring it is within the 72-hour window. The system uses the most recent, valid submission.
- Recommendation: Wait until you are within the 72-hour window and use a reliable Wi-Fi connection (like at your departure airport or hotel) to ensure a smooth, error-free resubmission.
TREVALO FINAL ADVICE:
To guarantee a smooth arrival and activate your Autogate access (if eligible), plan your MDAC submission for exactly two days before your arrival date. This gives you a safe buffer while ensuring you are well within the required 3-day submission window.