Starting May 26, 2026, some travellers from Indonesia and Malaysia will no longer need a full Canadian visitor visa for air travel. Instead, they may qualify for a much quicker electronic travel authorization, better known as an eTA.

The update only applies to air travellers and targets people who have already been screened by either Canada or the United States. Travellers who already hold a valid Canadian visitor visa can continue using it.

Canada eTA Eligibility Rules for Indonesian and Malaysian Citizens

Under the new rules, Indonesian and Malaysian citizens may qualify for a Canada eTA if they:

Eligible travellers can use the eTA for flying to Canada or transiting through a Canadian airport. Those entering Canada by land or sea will still need the appropriate travel documents and visas.

The eTA system allows Canadian authorities to carry out pre-travel security screening before passengers board their flights.

Canada Is Tightening Security While Making Travel Easier

Ottawa is clearly trying to strike a balance here. Canada wants faster movement for trusted travellers without loosening border controls.

This is also part of a wider economic push across Southeast Asia. Canada has been expanding trade and investment ties across the Indo-Pacific region, and easier travel rules are becoming part of that strategy.

What this really signals is a shift toward selective visa relaxation. Countries are increasingly rewarding repeat travellers and low-risk visitors instead of broadly opening borders.

The Economic Impact: Why Canada is Easing Travel Rules

The visa relaxation follows a massive surge in commercial ties between the nations:

• Indonesia: Now stands as Canada’s third-largest merchandise trading partner in Southeast Asia. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached over USD $6.75 billion in 2025, with Canadian exports accounting for roughly USD $3 billion.

• Malaysia: Remains one of Canada’s fastest-growing trade partners in the region. Trade jumped 60% between 2020 and 2025, topping USD $6.1 billion.

In terms of tourism, official figures show Canada welcomed approximately 18,300 visitors from Indonesia and 11,500 from Malaysia in 2025. This eTA rollout is expected to increase those numbers significantly by the end of 2026.

Travelobiz Take

We see this as Canada quietly expanding its trusted traveller model across Southeast Asia. For repeat visitors and business professionals, the eTA route cuts processing delays, reduces administrative paperwork, and makes short-notice trips to Canada far more practical.