Canada drops visa requirement for travellers from two Asian countries

The federal government has announced changes to its visa requirements that will impact travellers entering Canada from two Asian countries.

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), travellers from Indonesia and Malaysia will no longer require a visa to travel to Canada if they meet certain requirements.

In a statement shared on Monday, Lena Metlege Diab, minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship, said, “Canada is working to attract the world’s brightest minds, strengthen our global partnerships and create new opportunities for Canadian businesses and workers.”

What are the new requirements?

For eligible citizens from Indonesia and Malaysia, travelling to Canada just got a lot easier.

According to the recent update, Indonesian and Malaysian citizens may be able to travel to Canada without applying for a visa if they meet any of the following requirements:

• If they had a Canadian temporary resident visa (TRV) in the last 10 years
• If they currently hold a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa

Visitors who meet any of the criteria have already been previously screened by Canada or the U.S. As a result, instead of a visa, all they have to do is apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA) when travelling to or transiting through Canada by air.

An eTA is an entry requirement for visa-exempt travellers, and it’s electronically linked to a traveller’s passport. It’s valid for up to five years or until the passport expires. It allows foreign nationals to stay in Canada for up to six months at a time and only costs $7 per application. An eTA allows Canadian officials to conduct pre-travel screening for air travellers.

When do the new changes kick in?

These changes came into effect on Tuesday, May 26.

Some citizens from visa-required countries may also be eligible for visa-exempt travel. In addition to Indonesia and Malaysia, the following countries are included:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Argentina
• Brazil
• Costa Rica
• Mexico
• Morocco
• Panama
• Philippines
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Lucia
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Seychelles
• Thailand
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Uruguay

Indonesia is the largest economy in Southeast Asia. Last year, Canada welcomed around 18,300 visitors from Indonesia and 11,500 visitors from Malaysia.