Last Updated On 26 May 2026, 8:20 AM EDT (Toronto Time)
Canada’s new visitor visa rules start today for eligible citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia, opening a faster travel pathway for some visitors flying to or transiting through the country.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced that the change takes effect on May 26, 2026, at 5:30 a.m. Eastern Time, as part of Canada’s broader effort to strengthen trade, travel, investment, and strategic ties across the Indo-Pacific region.
The change does not mean all Indonesian and Malaysian citizens can travel to Canada without a visa.
Instead, eligible travellers from these two countries may now apply for an electronic travel authorization, commonly known as an eTA, instead of a visitor visa when travelling to Canada by air.
The new rule applies only to citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia who have held a Canadian temporary resident visa in the last 10 years or who currently hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa.
IRCC says this group is considered known to Canada because they have already been screened by Canada or the United States.
All other citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia will still need a visitor visa to travel to Canada.
The visitor visa requirement also continues to apply to Indonesian and Malaysian citizens travelling to Canada by car, bus, train, or boat, even if they otherwise meet the eTA conditions for air travel.
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What Changed Today
Until now, Indonesian and Malaysian citizens generally needed a visitor visa to travel to Canada.
Starting today, eligible citizens from both countries can use the eTA pathway if they are flying to Canada and meet one of the two required screening conditions.
That means the traveller must:
- have held a Canadian temporary resident visa within the last 10 years; or
- currently hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa.
This is a major practical change because an eTA is usually cheaper and simpler than applying for a full visitor visa.
The Government of Canada says an eTA costs $7 and requires a valid passport, an email address, and a credit or debit card to complete the online application.
Approved eTAs can be valid for up to five years, although the authorization can expire earlier if the traveller’s passport expires first.
The change is especially important for people who regularly fly through Canada, visit family, attend business meetings, explore tourism options, or transit through a Canadian airport on the way to another destination.
Who Can Use The New eTA Rule
The new eTA option is not open to every Indonesian or Malaysian passport holder.
To qualify, the traveller must be a citizen of Indonesia or Malaysia and must be flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport.
They must also meet one of these conditions:
| Traveller Situation | Can They Apply For eTA Under the New Rule? |
| Indonesian citizen with a Canadian visitor visa issued within the last 10 years | Yes, if travelling by air |
| Malaysian citizen with a Canadian visitor visa issued within the last 10 years | Yes, if travelling by air |
| Indonesian citizen with a valid United States non-immigrant visa | Yes, if travelling by air |
| Malaysian citizen with a valid United States non-immigrant visa | Yes, if travelling by air |
| Indonesian or Malaysian citizen with no previous Canadian visa and no valid United States non-immigrant visa | No, visitor visa still required |
| Indonesian or Malaysian citizen travelling to Canada by car, bus, train, or boat | No, visitor visa still required |
| Traveller with a valid Canadian visitor visa | Can continue using that visa |
The key point is that the eTA pathway is limited to air travel.
A traveller who qualifies for an eTA when flying to Canada would still need a visitor visa if entering Canada by land or sea.
That distinction matters for people entering Canada from the United States by car, bus, train, ferry, cruise ship, or other non-air route.
This Is Not Full Visa-Free Travel For Everyone
The biggest mistake readers should avoid is assuming this is a complete visa waiver for Indonesia and Malaysia. It is not.
The new rule creates a conditional eTA pathway for eligible travellers who already have a screening history through Canada or the United States.
IRCC specifically says all other citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia will continue to require a visitor visa and that a temporary resident visa or eTA does not guarantee entry into Canada. Travellers remain subject to screening and admissibility checks at the border.
That means border officers can still ask questions about the purpose of travel, length of stay, funds, return plans, previous immigration history, or admissibility concerns.
Travellers should still be ready to show that they meet Canada’s entry requirements.
What Is An eTA?
An electronic travel authorization is a digital travel authorization linked to a traveller’s passport.
It is used for visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport.
For eligible Indonesian and Malaysian citizens, the eTA now becomes an alternative to a visitor visa only in the specific situations covered by the new rule.
The process is completed online through the Government of Canada’s official eTA system.
Applicants need a valid passport, an email address, and a credit or debit card to pay the $7 fee.
Most eTA applications are processed quickly, but travellers should not leave the application until the last minute because some applications may require additional review.
A person should receive approval before booking non-refundable travel where possible, especially if their travel history or documentation could require extra checks.
Why Canada Made This Change
Canada says the new visa requirement changes are part of its broader engagement with the Indo-Pacific region.
The federal government described stronger Indo-Pacific ties as important for diversifying markets, creating opportunities for Canadian businesses, and supporting long-term economic growth.
Indonesia and Malaysia are important partners in a region that Canada has increasingly prioritized for trade, investment, tourism, education, business links, and people-to-people connections.
For Canada, easier travel for pre-screened travellers can support tourism, business visits, conferences, family connections, and transit activity through Canadian airports.
For eligible travellers, the change can reduce one of the biggest barriers to short-term travel: the need to apply for a full visitor visa when they have already been screened through Canada or the United States.
At the same time, Canada is not removing all screening requirements.
IRCC says eligible travellers will continue to be screened through the eTA system and again at the border before entering Canada.
What If You Already Have A Valid Canadian Visitor Visa?
People who already have a valid Canadian temporary resident visa can continue using it to travel to Canada.
They do not need to replace a valid visitor visa with an eTA.
In many cases, a valid visitor visa may still be the most practical document, especially if the traveller may enter Canada by land or sea.
An eTA is specifically linked to air travel, while a visitor visa can support travel to Canada through different modes of entry, subject to the conditions of the visa and Canada’s border rules.
Travellers should always check the document they hold, the expiry date, the passport linked to it, and their method of travel before making plans.
Work And Study Rules Are Not Changing
The new rule does not remove the need for a work permit or study permit.
IRCC says eligible travellers must still apply for a study or work permit if needed.
This is an important distinction.
An eTA may allow an eligible traveller to board a flight to Canada, but it does not give them permission to work or study in Canada unless they separately meet the requirements for work or study authorization.
A visitor can generally come to Canada for temporary purposes such as tourism, family visits, short business visits, or transit.
But anyone planning to work for a Canadian employer, study in a program that requires a study permit, or remain in Canada beyond the allowed period must follow the correct immigration process.
Travellers should not treat the new eTA rule as a shortcut to employment, studies, or long-term residence.
Border Security And Immigration Integrity
Canada is presenting the new rule as a balance between easier travel and continued border screening.
IRCC says the changes support travel, tourism, and business ties with key Indo-Pacific partners while maintaining screening and border security measures.
The department also says Canada has strengthened screening, expanded information sharing, and enhanced fraud detection through its broader border measures.
This is why the rule is limited to travellers with previous Canadian temporary resident visa history or a valid United States non-immigrant visa.
Canada is not removing screening.
It is changing the document pathway for travellers who are already known through previous Canadian or United States screening.
What Travellers Should Check Before Applying
Eligible travellers from Indonesia and Malaysia should review their situation carefully before applying for an eTA.
They should confirm:
- they are a citizen of Indonesia or Malaysia;
- they are travelling to Canada by air or transiting through a Canadian airport;
- they held a Canadian temporary resident visa in the last 10 years or currently hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa;
- their passport is valid;
- their travel purpose is temporary;
- they do not need a separate work permit or study permit;
- they are using the official Government of Canada eTA application system.
- they understand that an eTA does not guarantee entry into Canada.
Travellers should also make sure that the passport used for the eTA application is the same passport they will use to board their flight.
Because an eTA is electronically linked to a passport, getting a new passport usually means a traveller must apply for a new eTA.
What Has Not Changed
Several important rules remain unchanged.
- Travellers still need to meet Canada’s admissibility requirements.
- Border officers still make the final decision on entry.
- People who need a visitor visa must still apply for one.
- People entering by land or sea still need a visitor visa.
- People who want to work or study still need the correct permit.
- A valid eTA or visitor visa does not automatically allow someone to remain in Canada permanently.
The new measure is a travel facilitation change, not a permanent residence program and not a blanket immigration pathway.
Canada’s new visa rules for eligible citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia are now in effect, creating a faster eTA option for some air travellers who have already been screened by Canada or the United States.
The change can make travel easier for eligible visitors, business travellers, family members, and transit passengers flying to or through Canada.
However, it is not a full visa exemption for everyone.
Only eligible Indonesian and Malaysian citizens who meet the specific Canadian visa history or valid United States visa condition can use the eTA pathway, and only when travelling by air.
All others still need a visitor visa.
Travellers should check their eligibility carefully, apply through the official Government of Canada eTA system, and remember that final entry decisions are still made at the Canadian border.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all Indonesian and Malaysian citizens now qualify for visa-free travel to Canada?
No, the new rule applies only to eligible citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia who are flying to or transiting through Canada and who have either held a Canadian temporary resident visa in the last 10 years or currently hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa. All others still need a visitor visa.
Can eligible travellers use an eTA to enter Canada by car from the United States?
No, the new eTA option applies only to air travel. Indonesian and Malaysian citizens entering Canada by car, bus, train, or boat still need a visitor visa, even if they meet the eTA conditions for flying.
How much does a Canadian eTA cost?
A Canadian eTA costs $7 when applying through the official Government of Canada website. Applicants need a valid passport, email address, and credit or debit card to complete the online application.
Does an eTA allow someone to work or study in Canada?
No, an eTA is a travel authorization for flying to or transiting through Canada. Travellers who need permission to work or study in Canada must still apply for the correct work permit or study permit.
Does an approved eTA guarantee entry into Canada?
No, an approved eTA allows an eligible traveller to board a flight to Canada, but it does not guarantee entry. All travellers remain subject to screening and admissibility checks by border officers when they arrive.
Fact Checked: All information in this article has been verified against the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada May 25, 2026 news release on changes to visa requirements for eligible citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia; the official Government of Canada electronic travel authorization page; and current IRCC guidance on visitor visas, work permits, study permits, screening, and admissibility.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute immigration, legal, or travel advice. Travellers should check the latest instructions on the official Government of Canada website before applying for an eTA, visitor visa, work permit, or study permit and should consult a licensed immigration professional for guidance specific to their situation.
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