Canada Eases Visa Rules for Indonesians and Malaysians

Canada will remove some visa requirements for qualifying citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia, allowing eligible travellers to apply for an electronic travel authorization instead of a temporary resident visa when flying to Canada.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced the change on May 25. The new rules are scheduled to take effect on May 26 at 5:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

The move could make travel faster and less expensive for eligible Indonesian and Malaysian citizens who want to visit, study, work, or transit through Canada by air. Before this change, citizens of both countries needed a visa before travelling to Canada, a process that could take weeks or even months.

Who can apply for an eTA

Not all Indonesian and Malaysian citizens will qualify for the new option.

To apply for an eTA, travellers must be flying to or through Canada and must meet one of two conditions. They must either have held a Canadian temporary resident visa at any time in the past 10 years, or they must currently hold a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa.

IRCC describes these travellers as “known” because Canadian or U.S. immigration officials have already screened them.

Indonesian and Malaysian citizens who do not meet these conditions will still need a visitor visa to travel to Canada by air. A visitor visa will also still be required for anyone entering Canada by car, bus, train, or boat, even if they meet the eTA conditions.

Existing visa holders can keep using visas

Indonesian and Malaysian nationals who already have a valid Canadian temporary resident visa do not need to switch to an eTA immediately.

They may continue using their visa until it expires or until their passport expires, whichever comes first.

IRCC also notes that people who plan to work or study in Canada must still apply for the proper work or study permits. In some cases, even eligible travellers may still be asked to submit their passports for a work or study visa.

How the eTA process works

Eligible travellers must apply for an eTA before boarding their flight to Canada.

The application is completed online. Applicants need a valid passport, a credit or debit card, and an email address. The eTA fee is $7 CAD.

Most applications are approved within minutes. If IRCC needs more information, the applicant will receive instructions by email, usually within 72 hours.

Once approved, the eTA is linked electronically to the traveller’s passport. It is valid for up to five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. Travellers may enter Canada several times while the eTA remains valid, but border officers still make the final decision on entry.

Part of wider regional strategy

Canada says the change is linked to its Indo-Pacific Strategy, which aims to build stronger trade, investment, and people-to-people ties in the region.

Indonesia and Malaysia are important economic partners for Canada in Southeast Asia. Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab announced the change as part of Canada’s effort to diversify trade ties while protecting border security.

Canada welcomed a reported 18,300 visitors from Indonesia and 11,500 visitors from Malaysia in 2025.