Canada Drops Visa Requirement for Eligible Citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia

Key takeaways

• Effective May 26, 2026 at 5:30 a.m. EDT, eligible Indonesian and Malaysian citizens can apply for an eTA instead of a visitor visa to fly to Canada.
• You qualify if you have held a Canadian visa in the past 10 years OR currently hold a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa.
• An eTA costs CAD $7, is applied for online, and is usually approved within minutes — versus a visitor visa that costs CAD $100 and can take weeks.
• The eTA only covers air travel; anyone arriving by car, bus, train, or boat still needs a visitor visa.
• Travellers who do not meet the conditions still need a visitor visa.

Canada has made it dramatically easier — and cheaper — for many travellers from Indonesia and Malaysia to visit. As of May 26, 2026 at 5:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, eligible citizens of both countries can apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA) instead of a temporary resident visa (visitor visa) when flying to Canada. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the change on May 25, 2026.

For people who qualify, that means swapping a CAD $100 visitor-visa application that can take weeks for a CAD $7 eTA that is filed online and usually approved within minutes.

What exactly changed?

Indonesia and Malaysia have been added to Canada's list of "visa-required" countries whose citizens may instead be eligible for an eTA. This is the same partial-access pathway already offered to travellers from countries such as the Philippines, Brazil, and Morocco.

It is not full visa-free access. Instead, it creates a faster lane for lower-risk travellers who have already been screened by Canada or the United States.

eTA vs. visitor visa at a glance

Who qualifies for the eTA?

You can apply for an eTA — rather than a visitor visa — if you are a citizen of Indonesia or Malaysia, you are travelling to or transiting through Canada by air, and you meet at least one of these conditions at the time you apply:

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

If you meet one of those conditions, you apply for the eTA online, pay the CAD $7 fee, and in most cases receive approval within minutes. The eTA is then electronically linked to the passport you used to apply, and is valid for up to five years or until your passport expires — whichever comes first.

What has not changed

It is just as important to understand the limits of this announcement:

• Air travel only. The eTA pathway applies when you fly into Canada. If you arrive by car, bus, train, or boat, you still need a visitor visa — even if you meet the conditions above.
• Everyone else still needs a visitor visa. Indonesian and Malaysian citizens who have never held a Canadian visa and do not hold a valid U.S. visa must still apply for a visitor visa as before.
• An eTA is not a work or study permit. It is a travel authorization. If your purpose is to study or work in Canada, you still need the appropriate permit — but eligible travellers will now receive an eTA rather than a visitor visa as their travel document, which can simplify the process.

Why Canada made this change

The federal government framed the move as part of its Indo-Pacific Strategy, deepening trade, tourism, and people-to-people ties with two of Southeast Asia's largest economies. Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab said the change supports closer relationships in the region while maintaining Canada's border-security standards — the eligibility conditions ensure applicants have already passed a Canadian or U.S. screening.

For families, students, and business travellers from Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur, the practical effect is simpler: a trip to Canada that used to require a full visa application may now take minutes and a few dollars.

How to apply for your eTA

1. Confirm you meet one of the two eligibility conditions (prior Canadian visa in the last 10 years, or a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa).
2. Apply only through the official Government of Canada website. Have your passport, a credit card, and an email address ready.
3. Pay the CAD $7 fee and wait for the confirmation email. Most approvals arrive within minutes, though some applications are referred for additional review.
4. Travel by air with the same passport you used to apply — the eTA is linked to it electronically.

What this means if you plan to study or work in Canada

If your longer-term goal is a study permit, work permit, or permanent residence, this change does not alter those programs — but it can make your first entry smoother. Our team helps clients from across Southeast Asia move from a first visit to a long-term plan in Canada, including Express Entry, study permits, and work permits. If you are weighing your options, book a consultation and we will map the fastest legitimate route for your situation.

Frequently asked questions

Does Malaysian need visa or eTA to Canada?

As of May 26, 2026, Malaysian citizens who are flying to Canada and who either held a Canadian visa in the last 10 years or currently hold a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa can travel on an eTA. Malaysians who do not meet either condition, or who arrive by land or sea, still need a visitor visa.

Will Malaysia get a visa free to Canada?

Not fully. Malaysia (and Indonesia) now have partial eTA access for eligible air travellers, not blanket visa-free entry. Travellers who have not previously been approved by Canada or the U.S. still apply for a visitor visa.

Who can apply for eTA Canada?

Citizens of eTA-eligible countries — which, as of May 26, 2026, includes eligible citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia — can apply for an eTA to fly to or transit through Canada. Visa-required nationals like these must also meet a condition such as holding a prior Canadian visa or a valid U.S. visa.

How do I complete a Canada eTA application?

Apply online through the official Government of Canada website using the passport you will travel with, pay the CAD $7 fee, and wait for email confirmation. Approvals are usually issued within minutes, and the eTA stays valid for up to five years.

This article is for general information and reflects the announcement effective May 26, 2026. Immigration rules change frequently — confirm current requirements on the Government of Canada website or speak with a regulated consultant before you travel.