KUALA LUMPUR - Canada will allow qualifying citizens of Malaysia and Indonesia to travel to the country without applying for a traditional visitor visa, under new rules announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Under the changes, eligible Malaysian and Indonesian citizens travelling to Canada by air will be able to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) instead of a temporary resident visa (TRV).
The new measures took effect on May 26 at 5.30am Eastern Daylight Time.
Previously, travellers from both countries were required to obtain visitor visas before entering Canada, with processing times often taking weeks or months.
Under the revised system, eligible travellers can obtain entry approval more quickly and at a lower cost, although they must still meet all immigration and admissibility requirements.
To qualify for the eTA, Malaysian and Indonesian citizens must either have held a Canadian temporary resident visa within the past 10 years or currently possess a valid United States non-immigrant visa.
IRCC considers such applicants “known travellers” because they have already undergone immigration screening by Canadian or US authorities.
However, travellers who do not meet these conditions must still apply for a visitor visa.
The visa exemption only applies to air travel and transit through Canadian airports.
Travellers entering Canada by land or sea, including by car, bus, train or boat, are still required to hold a visitor visa regardless of eligibility for the eTA programme.
Malaysian and Indonesian citizens who already hold valid Canadian temporary resident visas may continue using them until the visas or passports expire.
The eTA application process is conducted fully online.
Applicants are required to provide a valid passport, an email address and a debit or credit card for payment.
The standard application fee is C$7.
Most applications are approved within minutes, although some applicants may be asked to provide additional information within 72 hours.
Once approved, the eTA is electronically linked to the traveller’s passport and remains valid for up to five years or until the passport expires.
The authorisation allows multiple visits to Canada during its validity period.
Unlike a traditional visitor visa, the eTA process does not generally require biometrics or extensive supporting documents.
However, Canadian authorities stressed that possession of an eTA does not guarantee entry into the country, as all travellers remain subject to immigration checks upon arrival.
IRCC said the policy change forms part of Canada’s broader Indo-Pacific Strategy aimed at strengthening trade, investment and people-to-people ties across the region.
The latest move follows previous expansions of Canada’s conditional eTA programme.
In 2023, Canada extended similar eligibility to travellers from 13 countries including the Philippines, Thailand, Argentina and Morocco.
In November 2025, Canada also granted full visa-free access to citizens of Qatar.
Canadian Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab said the latest measures are part of efforts to diversify Canada’s trade relationships while maintaining border security.
Canada reportedly welcomed 18,300 visitors from Indonesia and 11,500 visitors from Malaysia in 2025.
