Canada Eases Visa Requirements for Indonesian Citizens with New eTA System
Canada has relaxed travel requirements for Indonesian and Malaysian citizens as part of Ottawa’s strategy to strengthen economic, trade, and investment ties in the Indo-Pacific region.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Lena Metlege Diab announced the policy on Sunday. From Tuesday, 26 May 2026, at 05:30 ET, eligible Indonesian and Malaysian travellers can apply for an electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) instead of a visa for air travel to or transiting through Canada.
The new rules apply to Indonesian citizens and Malaysians who held a Canadian Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) within the past decade or possess a valid non-immigrant US visa. ‘Canada is committed to attracting global talent, strengthening international partnerships, and creating new opportunities for Canadian businesses and workers,’ Diab stated in an official release by the Canadian Embassy in Jakarta.
She added that the visa relaxation is part of Canada’s broader strategy to deepen engagement in the Indo-Pacific, supporting trade and investment while enhancing connectivity between communities and businesses to drive long-term economic growth.
Canada views the Indo-Pacific as strategically vital for market diversification and new business opportunities. The eased travel measures are expected to strengthen trade, investment, and business mobility between Canada and Southeast Asian nations.
Ottawa emphasised border security remains a priority, with the eTA system serving as a pre-travel screening mechanism for air passengers bound for Canada.
According to Canadian government data, Indonesia is the largest economy in Southeast Asia and Canada’s third-largest goods trading partner in the region in 2025, with bilateral trade valued at $6.75 billion (approximately £5.4 billion). Canadian exports to Indonesia reached $3 billion, making it Canada’s second-largest export market in Southeast Asia and 17th globally. Malaysia is also a key trading partner, with bilateral trade surging 60% to $6.1 billion in 2025 from $3.8 billion. Canada welcomed around 18,300 visitors from Indonesia and 11,500 from Malaysia throughout 2025.