Canada Eased eTA Rules: What Does This Mean for Long-Haul Travel?

Starting May 26, 2026, Canada has made a simplified electronic travel authorization available to certain Indonesian and Malaysian citizens. At first glance, this may seem like a distant technical visa update, but it is an important signal for long-haul tourism: Canada specifically aims to speed up the entry of air travelers who have been previously screened, which may be felt when planning trips to Toronto, Vancouver, and North American transit routes.

The Canadian immigration authority, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, announced on May 25 that entry requirements for certain citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia would change the following day, May 26, 2026, starting at 5:30 AM Eastern Time. Those affected can switch from a traditional visitor visa to an electronic travel authorization, or eTA, if they are traveling to Canada by air or transiting through a Canadian airport and meet the conditions tied to prior screening.

The essence of the announcement is not that all Indonesian and Malaysian passengers can automatically enter Canada visa-free. The benefit is only for those who have held a Canadian temporary resident visa in the last ten years or have a valid US non-immigrant visa at the time of application. According to the Canadian government's interpretation, these travelers have already passed Canadian or US screening, so a faster, digital pre-screening system may be sufficient for a short visit or air transit.

What Exactly Changed?

The eTA is an entry authorization electronically linked to the passport. According to official Canadian information, most applications are processed within a few minutes, but in some cases, additional documents may be requested, so it is not advisable to leave the application until the last moment. The eTA fee is 7 Canadian dollars, and if approved, it is generally valid for up to five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.

The current expansion follows a so-called selective easing logic. Canada has not granted full visa-free entry to two new countries, but has opened an eTA path limited to air passengers and previously screened travelers. This is a particularly important distinction: those arriving in Canada by land, bus, car, train, or ship may still need a visitor visa according to Canadian rules, unless they fall into another exemption category.

For Hungarian travelers, the direct administrative change is limited, as Hungarian citizens flying to Canada have already been required to apply for an eTA rather than a classic visitor visa. However, the news is still relevant because long-haul trips often involve more than one passport: families, business groups, international circles of friends, and travelers of mixed nationalities plan joint Canadian programs. If a person traveling with an Indonesian or Malaysian passport is in a group, the new rule may simplify the organization of the joint flight.

Why Is This Important From a Tourism Perspective?

Canada justified the decision by the strengthening of relations with the Indo-Pacific region. According to the government statement, Indonesia and Malaysia are important economic partners, and in 2025, Canada welcomed approximately 18,300 visitors from Indonesia and about 11,500 from Malaysia. While these numbers are not comparable to the largest inbound markets, the move shows that Canada intends to specifically reduce travel friction in markets where it sees business, family, educational, and tourism demand in the future.

In the travel sector, such regulatory changes can have several effects. First, they can improve route utilization because faster authorization means less uncertainty before booking. Second, they can increase Canada's competitiveness against other long-haul destinations where the entry process is simpler or more predictable. Third, the change may benefit Canadian airports, especially those handling large Asian, European, and American transit traffic.

From a Hungarian perspective, this is primarily interesting at the major hubs. Toronto Pearson Airport is one of Canada's most important international hubs, and for many European passengers, the Canadian or American journey continues from here. For West Coast routes, Vancouver Airport plays a similarly strong role, especially if the trip continues toward the Pacific, Alaska, British Columbia, or Asian connections.

What Does This Mean for Hungarian Travelers?

The most important practical lesson is that Canada continues to strictly distinguish between citizenship, mode of travel, and prior visa history. For passengers flying with a Hungarian passport, the eTA remains the primary entry prerequisite, but an approved eTA alone does not grant an automatic right of entry. At the border, a Canadian officer may still request proof of itinerary, accommodation, financial means, return trip, or purpose of stay.

For families and groups of mixed nationalities, the rules for each passenger must be checked separately. It is not enough to assume that if a Hungarian passenger can fly with an eTA, then a family member or colleague traveling with them who holds a different passport falls into the same category. The Indonesian and Malaysian benefit is also conditional: a previous Canadian visa or a valid US visa is a key question, and the benefit applies to air travel.

Those planning Canada as part of a North American tour should also be careful when assembling their itinerary. For example, if someone flies from Budapest to Toronto and then continues to the United States, they may need different documents than for a route involving only cities within Canada. When searching for flights between Budapest and Toronto, not only the price and layover time matter, but also whether the passengers meet the entry requirements of every country involved.

Why Might Demand for Toronto and Vancouver Increase?

Visa easements rarely cause an immediate, spectacular surge in traffic, but in the long run, they can reduce booking barriers. If a passenger does not have to wait weeks or months for a visa appointment and processing, they can more easily decide on a family visit, conference, summer city trip, or nature-focused journey. In Canada's case, this may be particularly interesting at major entry points where tourism, business travel, university connections, and family visits blend.

Toronto is an urban, business, and family gateway for most travelers, and from there, Niagara, Ottawa, Montreal, or the northeastern part of the United States can easily be integrated into the itinerary. Vancouver is a destination of a different character: the city, the mountains, the coast, Vancouver Island, and the Western Canadian nature routes make it especially popular for those seeking a more active, nature-oriented trip. When planning the Budapest-Vancouver route, it is advisable to check the entry or transit rules of the layover countries in addition to the documents.

What Should Travelers Pay Attention To Before Booking?

One of the most important practical points of the Canadian eTA system is that the authorization is linked to the passport. If a passenger receives a new passport, they may need a new eTA. Correct entry of the passport number is also critical: the Canadian guide specifically warns that an incorrect passport number can cause problems during boarding. The airline electronically checks during check-in whether a valid eTA or other necessary entry document is associated with the given passport.

Anyone requesting an eTA with an Indonesian or Malaysian passport based on the current easing must first clarify whether they truly belong to the selected category. The duration of the previously issued Canadian visitor visa, the type and validity of the US visa, the mode of travel, and the planned destination all matter. If any condition is missing, a traditional visitor visa may still be required.

For Hungarian passengers, the lesson is simpler but no less important: the Canadian eTA should not be viewed as a mere formality. The best practice is for the passenger to check their passport validity, eTA status, layover country requirements, and travel insurance before finalizing the flight ticket. For longer Canadian tours, car rentals, or mountain programs, health coverage and flexible booking can be particularly valuable.

How Does This Fit Into Global Travel Trends?

The Canadian decision fits into a broader trend where countries do not simply open or close, but try to manage tourism with risk-based, digital pre-screening systems. In Europe, a similar transformation is happening around ETIAS and EES, the United Kingdom is working with the ETA system, and Canada uses the eTA for the pre-screening of air passengers. The common point is that short-term travel is increasingly linked to digital authorizations, precise data, and preliminary online processes.

This can be both an easing and a new administrative burden for tourism. For those who meet the requirements, travel can become faster and cheaper. However, for those who apply for authorization in the wrong category, mistype the passport number, or ignore the rules of layover countries, the digital system can cause just as much of a disruption as a traditional visa problem.

Summary

Canada's new eTA easing does not fundamentally change the entry of Hungarian citizens into Canada, but it is an important signal for the long-haul travel market. The rule specifically reduces the entry barrier for certain previously screened Indonesian and Malaysian air passengers, and thereby can strengthen Canada's tourism, business, and transit appeal.

For Hungarian travelers, the practical conclusion is that individual document verification remains the most important part of Canadian trips. Those preparing for Toronto, Vancouver, or other Canadian cities should monitor not only the flight ticket price, but also the harmony of the eTA, passport, layover rules, and the overall itinerary. The current change is a reminder that the era of digital entry authorizations is no longer a future trend, but a part of everyday travel planning.