MDAC for Sea Arrivals: Malaysia Digital Arrival Card for Cruise Ships and Ferry Travel

MDAC Requirements for Sea Travel

Whether you're arriving by cruise ship, ferry, yacht, or any other sea vessel, the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) is mandatory for all international arrivals to Malaysia's seaports and marine terminals.

Mandatory for ALL Sea Arrivals

All travelers arriving in Malaysia by sea, including cruise passengers, must complete the MDAC before arrival.

Types of Sea Arrivals

Cruise Ships: International cruise lines docking at Malaysian ports
Ferries: Regular ferry services from neighboring countries
Private Yachts: Personal vessels and sailing boats
Cargo Ships: Commercial vessels with passenger accommodation
Charter Boats: Organized group travel by sea

Major Malaysian Seaports for International Arrivals

Malaysia has several ports that handle international passenger arrivals with modern facilities.

West Coast Ports

Port Klang (Selangor) - Westport
Penang Port - Swettenham Pier
Langkawi Jetty - Kuah Terminal
Lumut Naval Base (Perak)
Malacca Port - Cruise Terminal

East Coast & Borneo Ports

Kuantan Port (Pahang)
Kota Kinabalu Port (Sabah)
Sandakan Port (Sabah)
Kuching Port (Sarawak)
Bintulu Port (Sarawak)

MDAC Submission Process for Sea Travelers

The process for sea arrivals follows the same timeline as other entry methods and must be completed before arrival.

1

Submit MDAC Online

Complete the MDAC application at least 3 days before arrival

2

Coordinate with Vessel

Inform ship's crew or captain about MDAC requirements

3

Prepare Documentation

Gather all required documents and confirmations

4

Present at Port Immigration

Show MDAC confirmation and passport upon docking

Apply for MDAC

Cruise Ship Passengers

Cruise passengers have specific considerations for MDAC submission and shore excursions.

Pre-Cruise Planning

Submit MDAC before cruise departure from home country
Coordinate with cruise line for shore excursion requirements
Ensure passport validity meets Malaysian requirements
Check if cruise line provides MDAC assistance

Cruise Planning Tip

Complete MDAC before your cruise departure to avoid connectivity issues at sea.

Shore Excursions

Important for Cruise Passengers

MDAC is required even for short shore excursions
Group tours still require individual MDAC submissions
Ship's crew cannot complete MDAC on your behalf
Keep MDAC confirmation accessible during port visits

Popular Cruise Destinations in Malaysia

Port Klang: Gateway to Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya
Penang: George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site
Langkawi: Duty-free island paradise
Kota Kinabalu: Gateway to Borneo adventures
Kuching: Cultural capital of Sarawak

Ferry Services and MDAC

Regular ferry services between Malaysia and neighboring countries require MDAC for all passengers.

Singapore-Malaysia Ferry Routes

Changi Point to Pengerang: Regular passenger ferry
Harbourfront to Puteri Harbour: Cross-border ferry service
MDAC required for all passengers regardless of journey duration

Thailand-Malaysia Ferry Routes

Satun to Langkawi: Popular tourist route
Koh Lipe to Langkawi: Island-hopping ferry
Submit MDAC before boarding ferry in Thailand

Indonesia-Malaysia Ferry Routes

Dumai to Malacca: Sumatra to Peninsula Malaysia
Batam to Johor: Regular passenger service
MDAC submission required 3 days before travel

Private Yacht and Sailing Vessel Arrivals

Private vessel owners and crew must comply with MDAC requirements and coordinate with Malaysian marine authorities.

Pre-Arrival Requirements

All passengers and crew must complete individual MDAC forms
Vessel captain must coordinate with Malaysian marine authorities
Submit MDAC at least 3 days before planned arrival
Prepare vessel documentation and passenger manifests

Private Vessel Tip

All crew and passengers need individual MDAC submissions - no group applications.

Apply for Yacht Crew

Designated Ports of Entry

Private vessels must enter Malaysia through designated ports:

Port Klang (Selangor)
Penang Port (Penang)
Langkawi (Kedah)
Kota Kinabalu (Sabah)
Kuching (Sarawak)

Port Entry Requirement

Private vessels must use designated ports of entry - unauthorized landings are prohibited.

Apply for Designated Port

Documents Required for Sea Arrivals

In addition to standard MDAC requirements, sea travelers should prepare vessel-specific documentation.

Personal Documents

Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
MDAC confirmation email/QR code
Return/onward travel tickets
Travel insurance documentation

Vessel-Specific Documents

Ship's passenger manifest
Vessel registration documents
Captain's declaration
Port clearance from departure country

Document Preparation

Ensure all personal and vessel documents are ready before departure to avoid port delays.

Special Considerations for Sea Travelers

Limited Internet Access at Sea

Challenge: Completing MDAC while at sea with poor connectivity

Solution: Complete MDAC before departure or use ship's internet facilities

Connectivity Tip

Don't rely on ship's internet - complete MDAC before boarding.

Weather and Schedule Changes

Sea travel can be affected by weather conditions:

MDAC remains valid for specified travel dates
Inform immigration if arrival is significantly delayed
Keep alternative travel arrangements in mind
Monitor weather conditions and port advisories

Weather Delays

MDAC remains valid even if weather delays your arrival.

Pro Tips for Sea Travelers

Complete MDAC well before cruise departure
Download offline copies of confirmation documents
Coordinate with ship's guest services for assistance
Keep physical copies as backup to digital documents
Check port-specific requirements and facilities
Allow extra time for immigration processing at busy ports

Port Facilities and Services

Port Klang (Westport)

Modern cruise terminal with immigration facilities
Direct shuttle services to Kuala Lumpur
Duty-free shopping and dining options
Currency exchange and ATM services

Penang Port (Swettenham Pier)

Historic cruise terminal in George Town
Walking distance to UNESCO World Heritage sites
Local transportation and tour operators
Traditional markets and street food nearby

Ready for Your Sea Arrival?

Complete your MDAC application now to ensure smooth entry into Malaysia via sea ports.