2026 Travel Guide
Most Southeast Asian and island destinations now require a digital arrival card before you land, in addition to any visa you may need. Miss it, and you could face delays or extra questions at immigration. Here’s Trippova’s checklist for six of our most-booked destinations, plus exactly how to fill each country’s arrival form.
🇲🇾 Malaysia🇹🇭 Thailand🇲🇻 Maldives🇮🇩 Bali🇻🇳 Vietnam🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
Your Pre-Trip Checklist (Every Destination)
- ✓Passport valid for at least 6 months from your return date, with 2+ blank pages
- ✓Visa or eTA approved and saved/printed, if your destination requires one
- ✓Return or onward flight ticket — most digital arrival cards ask for this
- ✓Hotel confirmation for your first few nights
- ✓Travel insurance — increasingly checked for destinations like Vietnam and Bali
- ✓Screenshot / QR code of your arrival card confirmation
- ✓Local currency or a forex card for arrival taxis and incidentals
- ✓Universal adapter + photocopy of your passport, stored separately from the original
Country by Country
🇺🇦
MALAYSIA
Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)
Who needs itAll foreign travelers. Indian passport holders can currently enter Malaysia visa-free for stays up to 30 days.
When to fillWithin 3 days before arrival.
Whereimigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac — the official portal, and it is free. Avoid third-party sites that charge a “processing fee.”
What you needPassport details, flight number, your first hotel address, and a short health declaration.
Save the confirmation screenshot — immigration officers may ask to see it on arrival.
🇹🇭
THAILAND
Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)
Who needs itAll foreign arrivals. Indian passport holders can enter Thailand visa-free for up to 60 days.
When to fillWithin 72 hours before arrival — this replaced the old paper TM6 form.
Wheretdac.immigration.go.th — free, official government site only.
What you needPassport details, flight and accommodation info, and a health declaration.
Keep the QR code you receive — you will show it at immigration on landing.
🇲🇻
MALDIVES
IMUGA Traveller Declaration
Who needs itAll travelers. Indian passport holders receive a free 30-day visa on arrival, so no advance visa application is needed.
When to fillWithin 96 hours before arrival.
Whereimuga.immigration.gov.mv — free.
What you needPassport details, flight info, and your confirmed resort/hotel booking — immigration can ask for proof of accommodation and funds.
The old departure form was discontinued in August 2024 — you only need the arrival form now.
🇮🇩
BALI (INDONESIA)
All Indonesia Arrival Card
Who needs itAll foreign travelers. Indian passport holders need a visa on arrival or e-visa for Indonesia — check the current fee before you fly.
When to fillWithin 72 hours before arrival, via the official immigration portal or the All Indonesia mobile app.
What you needPassport details, flight info, your accommodation address in Bali, and a customs declaration if carrying restricted or high-value items.
Confirm the exact official link close to your travel date — Indonesia immigration systems have changed more than once recently.
🇻🇳
VIETNAM
E-Visa + Health Declaration
Who needs itIndian passport holders need a visa — Vietnam is not visa-free for India. Apply for an e-visa (single entry, up to 90 days) online in advance.
Whereevisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn — apply a few working days before departure; processing is slower in peak season.
New from 1 Jul 2026An additional online health declaration is required within 7 days before arrival, alongside the e-visa.
What you needPassport scan, passport-style photo, flight details, and accommodation address for the e-visa application.
🇱🇰
SRI LANKA
ETA + Digital Arrival Card
Who needs itAll foreign travelers need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before flying to Sri Lanka.
Whereeta.gov.lk — apply only on the official site.
Good to knowFrom 25 May 2026, Sri Lanka introduced free ETAs for travelers from around 40 countries. Confirm the current fee for Indian passport holders on the official portal before applying.
A separate Digital Arrival Card is also required shortly before landing at Bandaranaike International Airport — check the current requirement window on the official site.
Quick Reference
| Destination | Form | Fill Within | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | MDAC | 3 days before | Free |
| Thailand | TDAC | 72 hours before | Free |
| Maldives | IMUGA | 96 hours before | Free |
| Bali (Indonesia) | All Indonesia Arrival Card | 72 hours before | Free |
| Vietnam | E-visa + Health Declaration | E-visa: days ahead; health form: 7 days before | E-visa fee applies; health form free |
| Sri Lanka | ETA + Digital Arrival Card | Before departure | Free for some nationalities; check for India |
Visa and entry requirements change without much notice — always verify on the official government portal for your nationality shortly before you travel.
The Trippova Tours Advantage
Planning a trip to Malaysia, Thailand, Maldives, Bali, Vietnam or Sri Lanka? Trippova packages to all six destinations come with our own pre-departure checklist shared directly with you, so you are never scrambling to find the right portal at the last minute. Ask Captain Voya, our AI travel assistant, if you have questions about any of these destinations.
Ready to Plan Your Dream Vacation?
Chat with a Travel Specialist and let us help you plan a hassle-free trip, arrival card and all.
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