Canada Eases Visa Rules for Eligible Indonesian and Malaysian Travellers

Canada has recently announced new travel measures to strengthen its relationship with the Indo-Pacific region by easing visa requirements for Indonesian and Malaysian travellers.

On May 26, 2026, Minister of Immigration Lena Metlege Diab announced that Indonesian and Malaysian travellers who have held a Canadian temporary resident visa within the last 10 years, or currently hold a valid US non-immigrant visa, may now qualify to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) instead of a full visa.

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This new policy applies to travelers flying to or transiting through Canada on a Canada Visitor Visa, making the travel process faster and more convenient for eligible visitors. According to the Government of Canada, this step will support economic growth, improve travel convenience, and encourage stronger people-to-people connections between Canada, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

However, in 2025, Indonesia ranked as Canada's third-largest merchandise trading partner in Southeast Asia, with bilateral trade totalling $6.75 billion. Meanwhile, bilateral trade with Malaysia has jumped 60% since 2020, climbing from $3.8 billion to $6.1 billion in 2025.

Lena Metlege Diab on Canada’s New Visa Changes

“Canada is working to attract the world’s brightest minds, strengthen our global partnerships and create new opportunities for Canadian businesses and workers. Changing visa requirements for eligible travellers from Indonesia and Malaysia is part of a broader whole-of-government effort to deepen Canada’s engagement across the Indo-Pacific, support trade and investment, and makes it easier for people to connect, do business and contribute to Canada’s long-term economic growth.”

 – The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Do You Know 

• The eTA change took effect on May 26, 2026, at 5:30 a.m. Eastern Time.
• Eligible Indonesian and Malaysian citizens must have held a Canadian TRV in the last 10 years or currently hold a valid US non-immigrant visa to qualify.
• Travellers who already hold a valid Canadian TRV can continue using it without needing to apply for an eTA.
• The eTA is used by Canadian officials to conduct pre-travel screening and applies only to air travel.
• Indonesia is Southeast Asia's largest economy, with Canada-Indonesia bilateral trade totalling $6.75 billion in 2025.
• Canada-Malaysia bilateral trade has increased 60% since 2020, reaching $6.1 billion in 2025.
• Canada welcomed approximately 18,300 visitors from Indonesia and 11,500 from Malaysia in 2025.
• This update is part of Canada's broader Indo-Pacific Strategy to diversify markets and strengthen long-term economic growth.

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Who Qualifies for an eTA Under the New Rules?

Not every Indonesian or Malaysian citizen automatically qualifies under the new changes. So it is important to understand exactly who is eligible before applying.

As of May 26, 2026, eligible citizens from Indonesia and Malaysia can apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA) instead of a full Canadian visa if they meet either of the following conditions.

• First, if you have held a Canadian temporary resident visa (TRV) at any point in the last 10 years, you may qualify.

• Second, if you currently hold a valid US non-immigrant visa, you are also likely eligible.

• In both cases, immigrate to Canada or the United States has already screened you, which is the core reason behind this streamlined pathway.

It is worth noting that if you already hold a valid Canadian TRV, you do not need to do anything. You can continue using it to travel to Canada without any disruption.

The eTA applies specifically to air travel, covering those flying into or transiting through Canada by air. If you are unsure whether you qualify, you can check your eligibility directly on the official IRCC website before applying.

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Source: canada.ca

Tags: Canada visa policy update 2026 Canada travel requirements for Indonesians Canada visa update Indo-Pacific countries Canada visa-free travel Canada eTA expansion Canada immigration news 2026