The Regulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (Electronic Travel Authorization), SOR/2026-87, introduce adjustments to Canada’s temporary resident entry system under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, refining how certain foreign nationals may travel to Canada by air through the electronic travel authorization (eTA) framework.

Under the existing regime, most foreign nationals require a temporary resident visa (TRV) unless they are citizens of visa-exempt jurisdictions. Even among visa-exempt travellers arriving by air, an eTA is generally required. The eTA functions as a pre-screening mechanism linked to a traveller’s passport and typically permits multiple short visits of up to six months over a validity period of up to five years or until passport expiry.

The amendments build on an existing “partial visa exemption” pathway that allows nationals of otherwise visa-required countries to apply for an eTA instead of a TRV, provided they meet improved trust-based criteria. These criteria include possession of a Canadian TRV issued within the previous ten years or a valid United States non-immigrant visa, both of which indicate prior comprehensive screening by Canadian or U.S. authorities.

Following a policy review conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the Government of Canada determined that citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia meet the required risk, compliance, and admissibility thresholds for inclusion in this improved category. This decision is situated within a broader Indo-Pacific engagement strategy aimed at strengthening economic resilience, diversifying trade relationships, and facilitating increased mobility for business travellers, tourists, and individuals engaged in cross-border exchange.

By extending eligibility for the partial visa exemption, the regulations amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations to allow qualified nationals of Indonesia and Malaysia to apply for an eTA when travelling to or transiting through Canada by air, rather than undergoing the more resource-intensive TRV application process. The rationale for this adjustment rests on balancing facilitation and security objectives. While TRVs remain the primary instrument for comprehensive admissibility screening, the eTA pathway is reserved for travellers assessed as lower risk based on prior visa history and external vetting, enabling Canada to calibrate entry controls without undermining system integrity.

The Government emphasizes that these changes are evidence-based, grounded in ongoing risk assessment, and subject to future adjustment should security, migration, or compliance indicators change. In practical terms, eligible travellers from Indonesia and Malaysia will benefit from reduced processing requirements, faster authorization timelines, and greater predictability in travel planning.

Canada (87/2026) June 3, 2026
Disclaimer: Insights are for informational purposes only and does not reflect RRI’s official position or constitute legal opinion.