Planning a dream trip to Canada? Whether you’re imagining maple syrup in Quebec 🍁 or exploring the Canadian Rockies 🏔️, there’s one important thing you should do before you land — submit your Canada Advance Declaration (CAD) through the ArriveCAN app or website. 🛂
I just returned from a trip to Toronto, and let me tell you — using ArriveCAN saved me a ton of time at the airport. So here’s everything I learned to help my fellow Malaysians travel smoother.👇
📄 What’s the Canada Advance Declaration (CAD)?
The Canada Advance Declaration (CAD) is a digital arrival form introduced by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to streamline entry into the country. It lets you fill out your customs and immigration info online before your arrival.
🔍 In simple terms, it’s an online declaration that international travellers (including Malaysians) can fill in before landing in Canada. It collects:
- Full name & passport details
- Flight information
- Declaration of goods (like food, alcohol, etc.)
- Travel history & contact info
✅ After submission, you’ll receive a confirmation email or QR code, which you scan at self-service kiosks in Canadian airports — no paper forms needed!
🧾 Is CAD a Visa?
No, it’s not a visa. Malaysians need an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) or a visitor visa to enter Canada depending on their travel purpose.
The CAD is not a visa — it’s a customs declaration form, similar to what we used to fill out on paper during flights, now done digitally through ArriveCAN.
🛃 Why Is It Important?
- ✈️ Speeds up the airport arrival process
- 📉 Reduces paper forms and manual checks
- 👮 Helps Canadian customs officers process entries faster
- ⏱️ Shorter queue times at self-service kiosks
- 📱 Accessible on mobile via ArriveCAN app or web
✅ Key Takeaways
- CAD is optional for now but highly recommended — some airports will make it mandatory soon
- You can submit via ArriveCAN app or online portal
- It’s free, easy, and makes immigration smoother
👥 Who Should Submit the Canada Arrival Declaration?
If you're a Malaysian citizen flying to Canada, you're eligible to submit the Advance Declaration using ArriveCAN. It’s supported at major Canadian airports, including:
- Toronto Pearson (YYZ)
- Vancouver (YVR)
- Montreal (YUL)
- Calgary (YYC)
- Halifax, Winnipeg, Quebec City, Ottawa, Edmonton — and more!
Even if you're entering visa-free with an eTA, it’s still a good idea to submit this digital form.
📝 How to Fill Out the Canada Advance Declaration
💻 Option 1: Online via Web Portal
Go to https://arrivecan.cbsa-asfc.cloud-nuage.canada.ca
✅ Step 1: Sign In or Continue as Guest
You can create an account (optional) or continue as a guest. If you plan to travel often, creating an account makes future trips faster.
✅ Step 2: Select Your Arrival Information
You’ll be asked to input:
- Arrival airport (e.g., Toronto Pearson, Vancouver, Montreal)
- Arrival date and time
- Flight number
- Country of departure (e.g., Malaysia)
🕐 Must be completed within 72 hours before your scheduled arrival in Canada.
✅ Step 3: Enter Your Personal Information
Provide:
- Full name (as in your passport)
- Passport number
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Email address (for your receipt)
✅ Step 4: Provide Travel Details
You’ll need:
- Your Canadian address (hotel, Airbnb, or friend’s home)
- Reason for travel (tourism, business, etc.)
- Length of stay (if known)
✅ Step 5: Complete the Customs Declaration
Answer standard customs questions such as:
- Are you bringing food, plants, or animals?
- Are you carrying more than CAD $10,000 in cash?
- Do you have gifts or commercial goods?
- Any duty-free or alcohol purchases?
🧳 Answer honestly — these are routine questions.
✅ Step 6: Review and Submit
- Double-check your info
- Click Submit
📧 You will receive a confirmation receipt with a QR code via email.
✅ Step 7: Save or Screenshot Your QR Code
📸 Take a screenshot or save it offline — you’ll need to scan it at:
- Airport kiosk
- E-gates (available at major airports)
- Or show it to a CBSA officer manually
📱 Option 2: ArriveCAN App
Download the ArriveCAN app on iOS or Android. Sign up, select your trip, and complete the Advance Declaration in under 5 minutes.
📧 You’ll get a digital receipt with a barcode — scan it at the airport kiosk for faster clearance!
✅ Quick Recap:
Question | Answer |
|---|---|
Is CAD a visa? | ❌ No |
Is it required? | 🔶 Optional but recommended |
Submit through? | ✅ ArriveCAN App or Website |
Cost? | ✅ Free |
Time to submit? | ⏰ Within 72 hours before arrival |
Benefits? | ⏱️ Faster immigration, no paper needed |
Cheap Hotels in Toronto
5 star
Amazing133 Ulasan
Entertainment District Toronto|0.51km dari pusat bandar
This place has it all. The service and valet parking was very easy to deal with. The rooms are big and clean. The lounge is very nice and comfortable. The gym, pool and hot tub are also great features. I recommend staying here.DariBRL 1,590
Great113 Ulasan
Niagara Toronto|3.2km dari pusat bandar
Everything is great except the location is a bit far from dt! The hotel is very new and the service attitude is super good. We asked for help with printing and it was ready quickly.DariBRL 1,354
Amazing120 Ulasan
Church and Wellesley Toronto|2.12km dari pusat bandar
A very good hotel with great service, sanitation and hardware. The price of hotels of the same level in North America is basically the same, much more expensive than that in China. Breakfast is not a buffet, it is all ordered.DariBRL 2,214
Very Good101 Ulasan
Downtown Toronto Toronto|1.84km dari pusat bandar
The breakfast was very rich, the chef was very warm, the restaurant had a classic temperament, and I saw a chic wedding reception in the restaurant. It was really a very good hotel! The location is in the university town, surrounded by high-end residences, Remowa is next to it, the intersection is facing Hermes.... The bottom of the alley can directly enter the Victorian University campus, the living function is super good, from the BAY of Metro Line 2 STATION is also very close and the traffic is very convenient.DariBRL 1,618
0 Ulasan
Toronto|12.28km dari pusat bandar
With a stay at RivetStays - The Westmount Suites, you'll be centrally located in Toronto, a 4-minute drive from Yorkdale Shopping Centre and 6 minutes from Downsview Park. This aparthotel is 8.6 mi (13.9 km) from CF Toronto Eaton Centre and 9 mi (14.5 km) from Rogers Centre.Guests will find features like a virtual front desk.Make yourself at home in one of the 20 air-conditioned rooms featuring kitchens with full-sized refrigerators/freezers and ovens. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Conveniences include microwaves and washers/dryers.DariBRL 459
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Downtown Toronto Toronto|1.77km dari pusat bandar
Discover all that Old Toronto has to offer during your stay at RivetStays - The Parade 1.Parking is available at the property.DariBRL 463
0 Ulasan
Downtown Toronto Toronto|1.91km dari pusat bandar
Set in Toronto's Old Toronto, RivetStays - The Dan Leckie is positioned to meet the needs of those traveling for fun or business.DariBRL 463
Business travel
Great131 Ulasan
Downtown Toronto Toronto|0.28km dari pusat bandar
The front desk staff were very welcoming, and the room was comfortable and clean. The housekeeping staff were also very friendly. The Chinese restaurant has an elegant atmosphere, unique dishes, and delicious food. There are various restaurants around the hotel, and it's close to the city center. I will definitely visit again next time.DariBRL 710
Very Good264 Ulasan
Downtown Toronto Toronto|0.59km dari pusat bandar
Visited on a business trip. The location was excellent, but the facilities were outdated and in poor condition. The female front desk staff was unfriendly. I asked for a towel, but they said they didn't have enough and gave me a pool towel... I didn't use the restaurant, so I can't comment on that. The male front desk staff was very friendly.DariBRL 722
Great125 Ulasan
Downtown Toronto Toronto|1.35km dari pusat bandar
The hotel is located below the Toronto Tower and is integrated with the Rogers Centre, but the rooms facing the stadium can only watch softball games, so those who want to attend Taylor Swift's December concert don't have to consider it.DariBRL 874
Very Good344 Ulasan
Downtown Toronto Toronto|0.42km dari pusat bandar
The location is in the downtown core, which is very convenient.
Service is ok. Slipper, laundry bag, kettle, etc, are not placed in the room, but are available upon request.
The underground parking is not managed by the hotel and the staffs did not know the details of fees, because what I was actually charged is more than what I was told by staff.DariBRL 748
Great69 Ulasan
Financial District Toronto|0.46km dari pusat bandar
Well appointed room and comfortable beds. Really appreciated having a coffee maker and fridge. Location is great for access to TTC, Theaters, shopping and dining. Would definitely book this again.DariBRL 577
Very Good109 Ulasan
Toronto|13.08km dari pusat bandar
A very comfortable stay in a spacious room with a lovely view from the 15th floor. Well equipped gym but the pool was closed for repairs. The TV had poor signal and despite reporting to reception, it was still not fixed when we checked out after 3 nights.
The metro station is around the corner for a 30minute ride into city centre. There is a shopping centre across the street with a huge supermarket and a good liquor store.DariBRL 673
Very Good115 Ulasan
The Harbourfront Toronto|1.62km dari pusat bandar
When it's sounds like Radisson Blu, people may think of a 4-star hotel, but my experience with Radisson Blu was not so amused. The miscommunication started since we checked in. On Trip.com, it said we can have a buffet style breakfast with $25 per person, but upon asking them, they said it's a la carte and have to pay at the restaurant. There was no buffet available. They asked me to send an e-mail to confirm is the information about the breakfast is accurate as it mentioned in trip.com sadly no one responded to my e-mail until the hours of breakfast ( 8- 11 am ) and we had not breakfast in the morning.
The room is okay. It is not as exciting as it sounds like Radisson Blu. I had experience staying in Radisson blu in other countries, but the room quality they had there is not even as comparable with Radisson blu toronto downtown. The room in Radisson blu toronto downtown is like the same as some random hotel. The coffee machine was really dirty. When we complained at the front desk, they did not send any replacement. Another thing is that no dental kits were provided as it should provide in all 4 star hotels. Upon requesting at the front desk, they send us dental kits like an hour later.
While checking out the front desk lady, she was a trainee. I showed him the picture of the dirty coffee machine and explained our dissatisfaction. She said she couldn't do any compensation since the room was pre-paid. In return she offered me some bottle of water for our trip 😄. I mean, I don't need a water bottle as compensation. Then she offered me that the parking would be on the house. Now, I am waiting for the return of my $100 security deposit.
Apart from that the location of the hotel is very cool and convenient. Just in the herat of downtown. The CN tower was visible just from the window of our room.
Considering everything it does not meet the standard of a 4-star hotel.DariBRL 791
Very Good105 Ulasan
Entertainment District Toronto|1.13km dari pusat bandar
Hotel late check-in. It was handled at the door only during one time period. Contact the hotel to obtain the keys if they are out of date. There is a small living room inside the room. Can see the TV tower. The key to the elevator can only go to its own floor.DariBRL 363
Breakfast
Great76 Ulasan
Downtown Toronto Toronto|0.64km dari pusat bandar
The hotel lacks dedicated areas for dining, and to sit down and enjoy a meal. The bed and breakfast deal would have meant eating from and/or in an adjoining small coffee shop - so no nice breakfast buffets or very limited breakfast menu. The website pics of vaults look amazing online, but in reality the vault was cluttered as a storage room. The room (3210) was tired, cracked tiles in the bathroom, dirty windows, very basic crockery (2 plates/bowls) and cutlery (2 of each - knife/fork/spoon) - made the kitchenette hard to make the full use of. The in-room coffee machine was dirty, so didn’t use. The room is basic and bathroom old fashioned with old white shower curtain, dirty brown/cream stone tiles with ingrained dirt. The advertising online shows the hotel as a contemporary interesting old bank/vault which was why we booked - in reality it’s old and tired in most places - including the lifts which are scratched old dark wood. The ‘spa’ or gym is limited. On a plus note, the hotel was a great location to see Toronto. Would we stay there again… I’m sorry to say… no.DariBRL 644
Very Good129 Ulasan
Garden District Toronto|0.37km dari pusat bandar
The hotel is located on one of Toronto's busiest streets, with theaters on either side and Haidilao right behind. I ate there twice and it was quite good. The lobby is small and a bit dimly lit, but everything else is quite good, and the service is very friendly. The largest shopping mall is also nearby. The room windows can be opened a bit.DariBRL 640
Very Good130 Ulasan
Downtown Toronto Toronto|0.17km dari pusat bandar
My stay at this hotel was the best experience I've had in Toronto. It's right in the absolute city center, making it super convenient for landmarks and shopping. A Chinese guy at the front desk was especially welcoming; even though I arrived very late, he proactively arranged a high-floor, quiet room for me and gave me plenty of water, which made me feel really warm and cared for. It's a shame I was only there for the weekend and spent most of my time out exploring, so I didn't get to enjoy the hotel as much as I would have liked. I'll definitely be back next time!DariBRL 989
135 Ulasan
Toronto|9.25km dari pusat bandar
Pretty nice hotel. Location is OK, but not as close to downtown as I would have liked. Of course the traffic in Toronto plays a part as well. They have everything you need on the property as far as food, pool, and gym. Parking could be better, but was sufficient.DariBRL 503
Great91 Ulasan
The Harbourfront Toronto|1.45km dari pusat bandar
Requested the newly renovated room instead of non renovated. The hotel staff was very kind and friendly to let us check in at 1.30pm as our rooms was ready. Eventhough we didnt get the connecting room as we requested but we were happy enough to let us an early check in.DariBRL 989
Very Good53 Ulasan
Toronto|16.15km dari pusat bandar
It’s near the airport, and they know it. As a result, the parking fare is quite high. Overall, the stay was average. One should be wary, however, that although the breakfast is complimentary, they expected a tip, which is absolutely ridiculous. How can one call it complimentary under such expectations?DariBRL 759
Great78 Ulasan
Toronto|2km dari pusat bandar
The overall cleanliness of the hotel is pretty good. Canada is not dirty after all. The cleaning is OK. It is not a big problem for a temporary stay. It is also close to Yorkville and is the cheapest hotel nearby. The breakfast is great and the price-performance ratio is very high.DariBRL 1,027
Great133 Ulasan
Downtown Toronto Toronto|1km dari pusat bandar
The InterContinental Toronto Centre Hotel is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Toronto, within walking distance of major attractions such as the CN Tower, Scotiabank Arena, Rogers Centre and Ripley's Aquarium.
IHG.COM
Rooms are spacious and comfortable, with large windows offering city views. The beds are rated as very comfortable and the overall cleanliness is excellent.
TRIPADDVISOR.COM
The hotel's Azure Restaurant and Bar serves modern Canadian cuisine, and the breakfast buffet is acclaimed for its fresh and varied menu.
IHG.COM
Amenities include an indoor saltwater pool with plenty of natural light, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and an 8,000-square-foot spa offering a variety of treatments, providing guests with a relaxing space to unwind.
IHG.COM
Overall, the InterContinental Toronto Centre Hotel is a great choice for business and leisure travelers alike due to its convenient location and excellent facilities.DariBRL 714
🧳 Tips for a Smooth Arrival in Canada
📸 Screenshot your ArriveCAN receipt or QR code
🛬 Have your hotel address and eTA/visa info ready
📱 Use your phone or tablet — works great on mobile
✈️ Submit your info 1–3 days before your flight
💳 Don’t forget your eTA if entering Canada by air!
📶 BONUS: Stay Connected in Canada, Don’t forget to pre-purchase a Canada eSIM or travel SIM card so you can access maps, emails, and show your ArriveCAN code on the go!
🍁Explore Canada Now!
Canada is making travel smarter and more digital — and once you’ve sorted your ArriveCAN submission, you can focus on the exciting parts: finding the best halal food in Toronto, visiting Niagara Falls, or skiing in Whistler.
👉 Book your flight to Canada on Trip.com ✈️
👉 Reserve top-rated hotels in Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal 🏨
👉 Get your Canada eSIM to stay online from the moment you land 📱
Safe travels, and bon voyage! 🍁
🙋♂️ FAQs: Canada Arrival Card (Advance Declaration)
📌 1. Is the Canada Arrival Card (CAD) mandatory?
No, it’s not mandatory yet, but strongly recommended. Submitting the Advance Declaration via ArriveCAN helps speed up your arrival process at major Canadian airports.📌 2. Is CAD the same as a visa?
No. The Canada Advance Declaration is not a visa. Malaysians entering Canada by air must apply for an eTA or a visitor visa, depending on your eligibility. CAD is simply a customs and immigration declaration — similar to the old paper card you’d fill out on the plane.📌 3. Who needs to submit the Advance Declaration?
All international travellers arriving at major airports like Toronto (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR), or Montreal (YUL) can submit it. It's optional for now, but may become mandatory in the near future.📌 4. How do I submit the Canada Advance Declaration?
You can submit it: 🖥️ Online: https://arrivecan.cbsa-asfc.cloud-nuage.canada.ca 📱 Via the ArriveCAN mobile app (iOS & Android)📌 5. When should I submit it?
You can fill it out within 72 hours before arriving in Canada. Try to do it 1–2 days before your flight for peace of mind.📌 6. What info is required?
You'll need to provide: Passport details Flight info & arrival airport Canadian address (hotel/family/friend) Declarations (e.g., food, gifts, cash)📌 7. Do I still need to fill out a paper form on the plane?
No, not if you submit the CAD online. Your declaration will be synced digitally — you’ll just need to scan the QR code at the airport kiosk.📌 8. What happens after I submit the declaration?
You’ll receive a receipt with a QR code. 🛂 Show or scan it at the airport kiosk (or eGate) upon arrival for a faster process.📌 9. Can I edit my submission if my flight changes?
Yes. If your travel details change, you can resubmit a new declaration via ArriveCAN.📌 10. Is ArriveCAN and the Advance Declaration free?
✅ Yes — it’s completely free. Never pay any third-party to fill this form.📌 11. Which airports accept the Canada Advance Declaration?
As of now, CAD is accepted at: Toronto Pearson (YYZ) Vancouver (YVR) Montreal (YUL) Calgary (YYC) Edmonton, Halifax, Ottawa, Quebec City, Winnipeg, Billy Bishop (YTZ)