Canada has updated its visitor travel requirements for nationals of Indonesia and Malaysia. Effective 26th May 2026, certain qualified travellers from these two countries can now apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) instead of a full visitor visa when flying to or transiting through Canada. The change is part of Canada’s broader Indo-Pacific engagement strategy aimed at strengthening trade, tourism, and investment ties across the region.
This is not a blanket visa waiver for all Indonesian and Malaysian nationals. The eTA route is conditional and applies only to a specific subset of travellers who already have a pre-screening history through Canada or the United States.
Who Qualifies for the New eTA Route
| Traveller Situation | Can Apply for eTA? |
|---|---|
| Indonesian or Malaysian national with a Canadian temporary resident visa issued within the past 10 years | Yes — air travel only |
| Indonesian or Malaysian national with a currently valid US non-immigrant visa | Yes — air travel only |
| Indonesian or Malaysian national with no prior Canadian visa and no valid US non-immigrant visa | No — visitor visa still required |
| Indonesian or Malaysian national travelling to Canada by car, bus, train, or boat | No — visitor visa still required regardless of other eligibility |
| Traveller with a currently valid Canadian visitor visa | May continue using that visa — no need to switch to eTA |
What an eTA Involves
An Electronic Travel Authorization is an online travel approval linked digitally to the applicant’s passport. For eligible Indonesian and Malaysian nationals, it now serves as an alternative to the full visitor visa for air travel only. Key details:
- Cost: CAD $7
- What you need: A valid passport, email address, and a credit or debit card
- Validity: Up to 60 months, or until the passport expires — whichever comes first
- Processing: Most applications are approved quickly, but some may require additional review — do not leave it to the last minute
- Linked to your passport: If you get a new passport, you must apply for a new eTA
Applications must be submitted through the official Government of Canada eTA system only. Third-party services are not authorised.
The eTA Route Is for Air Travel Only
This is a critical limitation. Even if a traveller qualifies for an eTA when flying to Canada, they would still require a full visitor visa if entering Canada by land or sea — including via bus, car, train, or ferry from the United States. Travellers entering overland from the US must check their entry document carefully before making plans.
An eTA Does Not Guarantee Entry to Canada
Holding a valid eTA does not automatically mean entry is assured. Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers make the final determination at the border. Travellers may be asked about:
- Purpose of travel and intended duration of stay
- Financial means to support their visit
- Ties to their home country and intention to return
- Previous immigration history
- Admissibility concerns
If You Already Hold a Valid Canadian Visitor Visa
There is no need to apply for an eTA if you already hold a valid Canadian temporary resident visa. You may continue to use it as before — including for entry by land and sea, which an eTA does not cover. Check that the visa is still valid, linked to your current passport, and has not expired before travelling.
Why Canada Made This Change
IRCC states that Indonesian and Malaysian travellers who have already been screened by Canada or the US present a lower risk profile — making the streamlined eTA route appropriate for this group. The change supports Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy by making short-term travel easier for business visitors, tourists, transit passengers, and those visiting family — while maintaining full screening requirements at the border.
Conclusion
The updated rules create a practical and more affordable travel option for qualifying Indonesian and Malaysian nationals — the eTA at CAD $7 is significantly simpler and cheaper than a full visitor visa application. The key conditions to remember: you must qualify through a prior Canadian or valid US visa, you must be travelling by air, and you must apply through the official Government of Canada eTA system. An eTA is a travel authorisation, not a guarantee of entry — border officers retain full authority over admissibility decisions.