Malaysia MDAC application for Palauan passport holders

Do Palauan passport holders need the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)?

Yes. Palauan passport holders need the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card before entering Malaysia. Submit it within 3 days before you land. MDAC is not a visa, but you must have it for standard travel to Malaysia.

Quick answer

Palauan passport holders need MDAC for Malaysia. Apply in the 3-day window before arrival and keep the confirmation ready for airline and immigration checks.

  • Who: Palauan passport holders entering Malaysia.
  • When: Within 3 days before your Malaysia arrival date.
  • What it is: An arrival card, not a visa.
  • Visa-free: Up to 30 days for Palauan passport holders.
  • Transit: Needed if you pass immigration or leave airside transit.

Palau to Malaysia MDAC facts

  • Palau (PW) is listed on the official MDAC portal
  • Use your Malaysia arrival date, not your Koror departure
  • One MDAC per traveler, including children

Source check

Checked against the official Malaysia Digital Arrival Card portal on 2026-06-24. Palau appears in the MDAC country list. Palauan passport holders have visa-free access for 30 days. Travelers should check official rules before departure.

Malaysia MDAC for Palauan passport holders: the short answer

If you hold a Palauan passport and you enter Malaysia, complete the MDAC before you travel. It is a digital arrival card. It does not replace passport control, visa rules, or the final decision by Malaysian immigration.

Flying from Koror? You will connect through a major hub first. Most routes go via Manila, Taipei, or Guam. Check the date you land in Malaysia. That is the date for the 3-day MDAC window.

Answer

Yes, Palauan passport holders need MDAC for Malaysia.

Timing

Submit within 3 days before arrival.

Use case

Tourism, business trips, family visits, and entry after transit.

Visa-free entry for Palauan passport holders

Palauan passport holders get visa-free entry to Malaysia for up to 30 days. This covers tourism and short business visits.

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry. Keep a digital copy of your return ticket ready. Malaysian immigration may ask for proof of onward travel. The airline may also check this before boarding.

Do not confuse visa-free entry with the MDAC. They are separate steps. The visa-free policy lets you board without a visa. The MDAC is the arrival card you file before you land. You need both.

Status

Visa-free for Palauan passports.

Max stay

Up to 30 days per visit.

Passport rule

Must be valid 6+ months beyond entry.

Travel logistics: getting from Palau to Malaysia

There are no direct flights from Palau to Malaysia. You will connect through a hub. The most common routes start at Palau International Airport (ROR) in Koror.

Via Manila with Philippine Airlines

Philippine Airlines flies from Koror (ROR) to Manila (MNL) several times a week. From Manila, connect to Kuala Lumpur (KUL). This is the most popular route for Palauan travelers heading to Malaysia.

Via Taipei with China Airlines

China Airlines operates flights from Koror to Taipei (TPE). From Taipei, connect to Kuala Lumpur. China Airlines and EVA Air both serve the Taipei-Kuala Lumpur route with daily flights.

Via Guam with United Airlines

United Airlines flies from Koror to Guam (GUM). From Guam, connect through Manila or Tokyo to reach Kuala Lumpur. A less direct but available option for Palauan travelers.

Via Tokyo with Delta or United

United connects Koror to Tokyo Narita (NRT). From Tokyo you can fly to Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia X, or other carriers. This route takes longer but offers more flexibility.

Peak travel times from Palau to Malaysia

Plan ahead if you are traveling during these busier periods.

Dry season (December-April)

The dry season is the most popular time for Palauans to travel abroad. December through April sees more departures from Koror. Apply for MDAC early if you plan to fly during these months.

Summer break (June-August)

Summer is another busy period for Palauan travelers. Schools close and families take trips abroad. Flights from Koror to Manila fill up quickly during June through August.

Christmas and New Year (December)

The December holidays are a peak travel time in Palau. Many Palauans visit family abroad or take holidays during this period. Book connecting flights and submit MDAC early.

Palau national events

Palau observes several national holidays including Independence Day (October 1) and Constitution Day (April 2). These long weekends often prompt domestic and international travel.

Names on the MDAC: what Palauan travelers need to know

Palau uses Western-style naming. Most Palauan passports list the given name first, followed by the family name. But some Palauan names include clan references, traditional titles, or hyphenated surnames.

The MDAC form has two fields: given name and family name (surname). Enter your given name(s) in the first field and your family name in the second. If your passport shows a middle name, include it in the given name field.

Some Palauan surnames include prefixes or compound elements. For instance, Ngiraked, Rechucher, or Telei. Keep the full surname together in the family name field. Do not split it. Match the spelling on your Palauan passport exactly.

Given name and surname

Enter your given name(s) first. Then your family name. Example: given name = Johnson, surname = Ngiraked. Match your Palauan passport exactly, including any hyphens or compound names.

Palauan names with clan references

Some Palauan names include clan or traditional references. Enter these as they appear on your passport in the relevant field. Do not omit any part of your name as shown on your travel document.

Common MDAC mistakes Palauans should avoid

These mistakes cause the most trouble for travelers from Palau.

  • Using the Koror departure date instead of the Malaysia arrival date. With connecting flights via Manila or Taipei, you may arrive a day later. Use the date you land in Malaysia for the 3-day MDAC window.
  • Incorrect name formatting. Palauan names with clan references or compound surnames should be entered exactly as on the passport. The given name field is for your first name(s), and the surname field is for your family name.
  • Not checking passport validity. Malaysian rules require 6 months of passport validity beyond the entry date. Check your Palauan passport expiry before you book.
  • Entering the connecting flight from Koror to the hub instead of the final flight into Malaysia. The MDAC asks for the flight arriving in Malaysia, not the first leg.

Malaysia MDAC requirements for Palauan passport holders

Valid Palau passport

Enter your name, passport number, nationality, date of birth, and expiry date exactly as shown on your passport. Pay attention to the exact spelling of your surname.

Malaysia arrival date

Use the date you land in Malaysia. With connecting flights, the landing date may differ from your departure. Count from the Kuala Lumpur arrival.

Transit points and flight numbers

Have your airline, flight numbers, point of departure, and entry point in Malaysia ready before you start the form.

First address in Malaysia

Enter your first hotel, apartment, or family address in Malaysia. List the first place where you stay even if you switch accommodation later.

How Palauans should apply for MDAC

Step 1

Check your arrival date

Count from the day you land in Malaysia. With connections, that may be a day after you depart.

Step 2

Prepare your documents

Have your passport open. Check your name and passport number. Note your flight numbers and first hotel booking in Malaysia.

Step 3

Start the form

Use the Apply for MDAC button on this page. Enter each traveler separately. Children need their own submission.

Step 4

Keep the confirmation

Save the confirmation email on your phone. You may need it at check-in or at immigration in Kuala Lumpur.

Frequently asked questions about MDAC for Palauan travelers

Do Palauan passport holders need MDAC for Malaysia?
Yes. Palauan passport holders must submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card before entering Malaysia. Palau is listed on the official MDAC portal. The MDAC is the pre-arrival form Malaysian Immigration uses to collect your travel and stay details.
When should Palauan passport holders submit the MDAC?
Submit your MDAC within 3 days before you arrive in Malaysia. If you leave Koror on a Monday, connect through Manila, and land in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, submit from Monday onward. Do not submit it more than 3 days before.
Is MDAC the same as a visa for Palauan citizens?
No. MDAC is not a visa. Palauan passport holders get visa-free entry to Malaysia for up to 30 days. But you still need the MDAC before arrival. Treat them as two separate steps: check visa-free status first, then complete the MDAC card.
How long can Palauans stay in Malaysia without a visa?
Up to 30 days visa-free for tourism or short business visits. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date. Check official Malaysian immigration guidance if your trip is longer.
What is the correct name format for Palauan passport holders on the MDAC?
Palau uses English naming: given name first, then family name. Enter your name exactly as on your passport. Palauan surnames may include prefixes or clan references. For example, given name = Johnson, surname = Ngiraked. Match the spelling on your Palauan passport.
Do Palauan passport holders need MDAC for transit through Kuala Lumpur?
If you stay airside and do not pass Malaysian immigration, you may not need MDAC. If you leave the transit area, collect bags, change airports, or stay overnight, complete the MDAC before arrival. When in doubt, submit it.
Do Palauan children need their own Malaysia MDAC?
Yes. Each traveler needs their own MDAC, including children and infants. A child needs a separate submission with their own passport number. Children's passports often have shorter validity. Check the expiry date before you start.
Can Palauan citizens submit MDAC after landing in Malaysia?
Do not plan on it. The correct route is to submit before you arrive, inside the 3-day window. If you land without MDAC, you may face delays at airline checks or immigration. Complete it before your flight from Koror and keep the confirmation ready on your phone.
What details do Palauan travelers need for the MDAC form?
You need your passport number, passport expiry date, nationality, date of birth, arrival date, departure date, flight details, and your first accommodation address in Malaysia. Have your Palauan passport and hotel booking ready.
What are common MDAC mistakes for Palauan travelers?
The most common mistakes are using the Koror departure date instead of the Malaysia arrival date on connecting flights, not checking that the passport is valid for at least 6 months from entry, and entering incomplete accommodation details for the first night in Malaysia.

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