MALAYSIA: Australians are now eligible for e-Gate entry and exit. Must register for MDAC.

Previously run as an optional scheme, now Australians entering Malaysia must register for a Malaysian Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) three days before every visit.

Registration can be completed only using this Form.

What information you need to supply

The process is similar to that for other destinations. In Asia, these include Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea and Thailand.

You must provide your passport and contact details, dates and form of entry and exit, and accommodation details and address while in Malaysia. You must have passport validity for at least six months after your visit.

Exceptions

Some exceptions exist to the scheme, including those from neighbouring Singapore, who often make the transit daily. Diplomatic passport holders, permanent residents of Malaysia or those with long-term passes are exempted. Some others with border passes from Brunei, Indonesia and Thailand are also exempt.

E-gate access

Access to the automated E-gates was granted back in March 2023 and has been extended to cover passport holders from the following countries:

• Australia
• Brunei
• Germany
• Japan
• Korea
• New Zealand
• Saudi Arabia
• Singapore
• United Kingdom
• United States

Automated e-Gate entry applies to both the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) main terminal and the ‘low-cost airline’ KLIA2 hub used by AirAsia, Jetstar Asia and Scoot.

Passport Validation

Don’t think it is as simple as just rocking up to the e-Gates. First, You will have your passport verified by staff at the immigration counters for your first arrival. This step will not need to be completed on subsequent entries. You can go straight to the e-Gates.

Flights to Malaysia

Malaysian Airlines, as a partner of Qantas, offers direct flights to Kuala Lumpur from Australian ports, including Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney.

2PAXfly Takeout

OK, it might be an extra step, but it seems to be how border entry is heading, similar to ESTA for the USA and the ETA (although not a visa waiver scheme) currently being rolled out for the UK. However, for the Malaysian registration, no fee is payable, and you don’t need to upload a photo of yourself.

Well, not currently.