May 26, 2026 | 03:44 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Canada eases travel requirements for eligible Indonesian citizens by allowing the use of an electronic travel authorization (eTA) in lieu of a visa for air travel and transit to Canada starting May 26, 2026.According to the official Canadian government website, observed from Jakarta on Tuesday, the policy applies to Indonesian citizens who have held a Canadian temporary visa (TRV) in the past 10 years or who still hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa."People who already have a valid TRV can continue to use it to travel to Canada," the statement read, directing travelers to learn about eTA applications through the official Canadian government website.The eTA is an application system used by Canadian authorities to conduct pre-travel screening for air passengers before entering the country.Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, Lena Metlege Diab, said Canada strives to attract "global talent, streamline access for business visitors, and create new opportunities for Canadian businesses and workers.""Changes to visa requirements for eligible travelers from Indonesia and Malaysia support stronger travel, tourism and business ties with key Indo-Pacific partners," the statement read, adding that the region is a "key partner in Canada’s efforts to diversify trade, attract investment and support long-term economic growth."The Canadian government believes these changes will help strengthen bilateral relations with Indonesia without compromising its commitment to border safety and security.Indonesia itself was recorded as Canada's third-largest trading partner in Southeast Asia in 2025, with total bilateral trade reaching US$6.75 billion (approximately Rp120 trillion).During the same period, the value of Canadian goods exports to Indonesia reached US$3 billion (approximately Rp53.3 trillion), making it Canada's second-largest export market in Southeast Asia and the 17th-largest globally.In addition to its growing trade relationship, Canada also welcomed approximately 18,300 visitors from Indonesia throughout 2025.Read: Indonesia Seeks Stronger North American Market Access with ICA-CEPAClick here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
