Canada to drop visa requirement for citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia

Qualifying citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia will be authorized for visa-free travel to Canada.

Eligible citizens from both countries will be able to apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA) instead of a temporary resident visa (TRV) when flying to Canada.

This means that Indonesian and Malaysian nationals entering Canada to visit, study, or work will likely* be able to obtain entry documents more quickly and at a lower cost, provided they meet all necessary conditions.

Before this change, citizens of both countries were required to obtain a visa prior to travel, which could take several weeks or even months to process.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced these changes on May 25. The changes are set to take effect on May 26 at 5:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

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*Note that though IRCC typically will issue eTAs to individuals who are eligible for the document when applying for a work or study permit, eTA issuances are typically judged on a case-by-case basis. There may be instances where individuals who qualify for a visa exemption are still requested to submit their passports for a work or study visa.

Who is eligible?

Indonesian and Malaysian citizens can apply for an eTA if they are travelling to (or transiting through) Canada by air, and meet one of the following conditions at the time of application:

• They held a Canadian temporary resident visa (TRV)* at any point in the last 10 years; or
• They currently hold a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa.

IRCC considers this group "known" travellers because Canadian or U.S immigration services have already vetted them.

Other citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia still need a visitor visa to enter Canada by air.

A visitor visa is also still required for anyone travelling to Canada by car, bus, train, or boat — regardless of whether they meet the eTA conditions.

Indonesian and Malaysian nationals who already hold a valid TRV can continue to use it to enter Canada until it expires, or until their passport expires — whichever comes first. They don't need to switch to an eTA immediately.

*Note that a TRV encompasses visas associated with Canadian work or study permits (work/study visas) as well as previously held visitor visas. IRCC notes in its press release that qualifying citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia must continue to apply for the relevant permits to work or study in Canada.

How to apply for an eTA

Eligible citizens must obtain an eTA before boarding their flight to Canada.

The process is completed online, and most applications are approved within just a few minutes:

• Prepare your documents
  • You'll need a valid passport, a credit or debit card, and an email address.
  • Review the instructions before you begin — the form can't be saved partway through.
• Complete the online application
  • Fill out the eTA form on IRCC's website.
  • Make sure you have all your information ready before starting.
• Pay the fee
  • The standard eTA fee is $7 CAD.
  • You'll be prompted to pay right after submitting the form.
• Receive your decision
  • Most applications are approved within minutes. You'll get an email from the government of Canada confirming your eTA status.

In some cases, IRCC may ask for more information before approving your application. If this happens, you'll receive an email with instructions within 72 hours.

The eTA is linked to your passport electronically and is valid for up to five years or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. You can enter Canada as many times as you'd like while your eTA is valid, as long as you meet admissibility requirements at the border.

Compared to a visitor visa, which can take weeks to process and requires biometrics and supporting documents, the eTA application is faster, cheaper, and simpler. However, an eTA doesn't guarantee entry to Canada — all travelers are still subject to screening at the border.

Why is Canada expanding eTA access?

The change is part of Canada's broader Indo-Pacific Strategy, which aims to strengthen trade, investment, and people-to-people ties across the region. Indonesia and Malaysia are key economic partners for Canada in Southeast Asia.

Canada has expanded eTA eligibility several times in recent years. In November 2025, IRCC lifted visa requirements entirely for Qatari citizens, granting them full visa-free access. Unlike the May 26 visa exemption for Indonesian and Malaysian nationals, all Qatari citizens qualified for these new travel provisions.

Changes to travel restrictions for Indonesian and Malaysian citizens more closely resemble an extension of the conditional eTA program, which sets out specific eTA eligibility criteria for nationals from select countries.

In June 2023, Canada added 13 countries, including the Philippines, Thailand, Argentina, and Morocco, under the same previously screened criteria that are now extended to Indonesia and Malaysia.

Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab announced the changes as part of ongoing efforts to diversify Canada's trade relationships while maintaining border security. In 2025 alone, Canada welcomed a reported 18,300 visitors from Indonesia and 11,500 visitors from Malaysia.

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