Canada Arrival Card Guide: How to Complete Your Declaration
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
Great114 Ulasan
Downtown Toronto Toronto|0.81km dari pusat bandar
Totally disappointed. We were visiting my son in Toronto. I stayed with my son. My sister and her friend stayed at Royal York mainly for the location and history. I seldom travel in North America because hotels are just too expensive. I favoured Asia much more. We had lunch at the restaurant. There were 5 of us. Services were very slow. One of us ordered steak and eggs for lunch. Steak came with no eggs. The server brought eggs later with no apology. We ordered coffee. Coffee came with no cream and sugar. Oh well.
The final night of our stay i had dinner with 2 of my old friends and we went back to lobby bar to meet my sister for a drink. We were seated and there was no server to be seen. When we raised our concern to the manager Karen, she promptly asked us to leave even though we told her we were hotel guests. She intended to embarrass me in front of my friends. It was a first time I got kicked out of bar without even drinking. So we moved across the street to a nice local bar. We were seated and served a bottle of wine at half of the price. I would like to have Fairmont to provide a response from Karen for the reason for kicking us out.
So our destination was Montreal and we chose Queen Elizabeth Fairmont. We learnt from Royal York. We avoided the food and beverage at the hotel.
I am a seasoned traveler and a Diamond member at Trip.com. This is probably the worst experience I have had in last 10 years of travelling worldwide.
I will definitely avoid Fairmont from now on.DariMYR 884
Amazing135 Ulasan
Entertainment District Toronto|0.51km dari pusat bandar
Excellent hotel situated in the heart of the Toronto Financial District.
Thoroughly enjoyed my stay in the executive suite which I never wanted to leave!!DariMYR 1,823
Great113 Ulasan
Niagara Toronto|3.2km dari pusat bandar
The hotel was swanky, and we loved our stay. The view from the pool was fantastic. The restaurant on site had an incredible service, and the service was great.DariMYR 1,364
Amazing121 Ulasan
Church and Wellesley Toronto|2.12km dari pusat bandar
Still quite satisfied, lived well, lived for 10 days, the surrounding area was also visited, the restaurant also ate a few times. The spa is also reflected, the overall is not bad. The exterior is being built, the sound is always bad during the day, and there is a fire truck, you can hear a lot of times a day. Toiletries are not provided daily, they need to be explained, and the service attitude is OK. At least the brand is there. I hope I can have a better stay experience next time.DariMYR 2,311
Amazing107 Ulasan
Toronto|2.12km dari pusat bandar
When staying at the hotel, the front desk informed that all non-alcoholic beverages in the mini-bar are free because they have been prepaid.
After that, bring some desserts.
Someone knocked on the door at night, asking if a turndown service was needed.
Before leaving, I was told that there are additional charges: facility charge $12, Neighbourhood Mktg $4.89. This is required upon check-in.DariMYR 2,161
Great105 Ulasan
Fashion District Toronto|1.86km dari pusat bandar
Very sustainable hotel😂I forgot to bring toothpaste. I called and they said they didn't have any. The price of $650CAD+a night. Bottled water was also charged $7. There were no amenities but there was an Amenity Fee of $29 a night..1.5 languages
The service attitude was OK. The gym had no view. The swimming pool was only open for a few months in the summer. The rooftop bar was also closed due to recent maintenance. The price for two breakfasts booked on Ctrip was actually a $60 breakfast credit per day. The price was a bit expensive. The actual meal cost $60 per person. The excess and tax had to be paid extra. The taste was average.DariMYR 1,441
Great101 Ulasan
Entertainment District Toronto|1.19km dari pusat bandar
Really nice and clean room , the staff was very helpful, will be coming back.DariMYR 813
Very Good99 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.DariMYR 1,581
Business travel
Great149 Ulasan
Downtown Toronto Toronto|0.28km dari pusat bandar
Upon arrival and checking in, very friendly customer front desk to be greeted and was provided the Doubletree classic of freshly baked cookies! I didn't know that was a thing and it was a very pleasant surprise where the attendant just pulled a hot warm cookie out of what it seems to be a heated drawer! Was a fantastic experience and it was clean to be in, would come back!DariMYR 671
Very Good278 Ulasan
Downtown Toronto Toronto|0.59km dari pusat bandar
While the hotel is perfectly situated, is clean and has all the amenities, it's as busy as an airport check in. It opens to the street from 3 sides making navigating the lobby quite intense. There are people everywhere. My room which was tidy and clean was very very cold. I had to run the fan coil at 90 F for hours to get warm. Room TV channels are limited and the TV didn't allow adding your own apps or screen sharing. Overnight parking fees are expensive even at the discounted rate. 655 Bay St parking is cheaper and easier to navigate. The self service check in worked really well allowing me to skip the huge check in queue but it made the entire hotel experience impersonal.DariMYR 585
Great131 Ulasan
Downtown Toronto Toronto|1.35km dari pusat bandar
The location was close to downtown and is walkable to the aquarium and some sightseeing places.DariMYR 1,000
Great385 Ulasan
Downtown Toronto Toronto|0.42km dari pusat bandar
The room was spacious with a great view and a convenient location, within walking distance to the Eaton Centre and Union Station, surrounded by major corporations like KPMG. The deposit was refunded quickly; the pre-authorization was released instantly upon check-out, unlike other hotels in North America where it can take up to two weeks.DariMYR 843
Great80 Ulasan
Financial District Toronto|0.46km dari pusat bandar
The location was handy few minutes from CN Eaton mall, about 35 minutes walk to CN tower, 8 minutes walk to the Toronto sign.
Great selection for breakfast and a nice aesthetic in general 🤩DariMYR 705
Very Good120 Ulasan
Toronto|13.08km dari pusat bandar
The hôtel is at a good location, with the subway direct to downtown. Room was Nice and staff were helpfulDariMYR 801
Very Good124 Ulasan
The Harbourfront Toronto|1.62km dari pusat bandar
Got so lucky to have this room which was perfect to spend time to catch up with my friends!
Suite room was amazing and the cleaner was the most professional one we have ever met!
The location is just right in front of the Harbour and likely 5 mins from Union station!
We definitely stay againDariMYR 757
Very Good114 Ulasan
Entertainment District Toronto|1.13km dari pusat bandar
Facilities: Very complete, all equipment is complete
Hygiene: Super clean
Environment: Convenient location, very convenient surroundings, you can see CN Tower when you open the window, and there is a 24hrs convenience store downstairs.
Service: The hotel staff is super nice, communication is very smooth, and problems are solved quickly.DariMYR 555
Breakfast
Very Good78 Ulasan
Downtown Toronto Toronto|0.64km dari pusat bandar
The location is great, among shops and restaurants. The lobby is quite small, with only a couple of couches to sit. There is a restaurant and bar in the restaurant as well, with tables and chairs but the division is not as clear between what is lounge area for hotel guests and restaurant seatings. We were waiting for our room to be serviced and my husband sat at a table to do some work on the labtop and only about 20% of the restaurant had customers with the remaining tables empty. He was approached by a couple of waitstaff and he explained that he's there to do some work and didn't want to order any food. At which point, a manager approached him and asked him to move to the sofa area and not occupy a table and he did and then the manager approached him again, asking what room are we staying in as well as other details. There's not much work/lounge space in the area at all. I feel that they could have let him sit at a table, considering many of the tables were not occupied. I've seen people sit there on a previous day with their laptops and not order anything. So it was kind of unpleasant that that happened. Also, our room had absolutely no natural light, which made it very depressing. I don't know if I would recommend this hotel for a stay in Toronto.DariMYR 744
Great42 Ulasan
Garden District Toronto|0.37km dari pusat bandar
I originally booked a room for 4 people with 2 double beds, but it was changed to 1 double bed and 1 sofa bed. My back was very uncomfortable sleeping on it. They said it was an room upgrade, but it was actually a downgrade. My experience this time was really bad.DariMYR 714
Great148 Ulasan
Downtown Toronto Toronto|0.17km dari pusat bandar
The front desk staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming, which immediately made us feel at ease. During the Christmas period, the hotel even offered complimentary hot chocolate and churros, which was such a lovely festive touch and really added to the atmosphere.
The facilities were excellent. There is a 24-hour gym, which is very convenient, and the swimming pool stays open until 10pm or 11pm depending on the day. Towels are also provided at the pool, so you do not need to bring your own, which is always appreciated.
Overall, the staff were warm and attentive, and the hotel had a genuinely welcoming and festive atmosphere. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay.DariMYR 1,236
40 Ulasan
Toronto|9.25km dari pusat bandar
Small bathrooms for families trying to use it. Stale smell in the hallways. Heater in room was too powerful even on lowest setting. Air in the room was dry. TV was not a smart TV capable of streaming movies/shows from devices. Charged us for parking but did not tell us in advance when we checked in. Sheets had encrusted food stains on them. Bed was stiff and hurt our backs. Small parking lot and steep narrow ramp to get up into the parking lot, could easily result in a collision.DariMYR 451
Very Good96 Ulasan
The Harbourfront Toronto|1.45km dari pusat bandar
The hotel is ideally situated of the front of the lake with the ferries to the islands just outside. An underground stop is just across the road with links to Union station and elsewhere. There are also a selection of buses that pass and a hop on hop off stop is about 10 mins walk. You can walk most places in central Toronto from hotel if you wish and are happy walking. You can choose which street suits you best on your walk and change route for variation as only a block apart and will all get you to central Toronto. You are maybe about 15 mins from the Blue Jays and CN tower so hotel is in a great location. Billy Bishop airport is about a 20 min walk and would be convenient if you can get flights to or from there to your destination. The communal areas in the hotel look very nice, as is the entrance if being dropped off by car. However there is work going on around the outside of the hotel and if walking to and from the hotel it isn’t so pleasant on the eye. My bedroom was spacious but felt dated and would be nice to see a more updated look. However the view onto the lake more than made up for that minor irritation. The staff were all great and helpful when asked. There was various things going on from regular activities in the leisure area to free ice cream and wine ( not together unfortunately ) and music in the afternoon. The leisure facilities were great with a pool, sauna, steam room and gym as well as an outside area (5th floor) for sitting outside while the kids could play. There was a tennis court and a basket ball hoop. There was also an oppertunity to use cycles and go for a run possibly with a guide. We didn’t eat at the hotel so couldn’t comment but the did have a restaurant on the top of there south tower that would give great views. We did grab a coffee and snack from across the street and would enjoy sitting on the benches just along from the hotel looking into the lake in the morning. All in all one of the older hotels ( I think) in a great location with great views and facilities which met our needs.DariMYR 1,092
Very Good107 Ulasan
Downtown Toronto Toronto|1.13km dari pusat bandar
Excellent location, with CN tower just at the door step, and a short walk to the harbourfront and union station. Many restaurants nearby too! Take the UP express from the airport and it's just a short walk to the hotel connected via the link bridge. Don't bother with taxi or Uber, it's 4 times the price and you might get stuck in a jam like me.
Rooms are big and clean! My stay was perfect!DariMYR 1,351
Very Good54 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?DariMYR 611
Great87 Ulasan
Toronto|2km dari pusat bandar
The hotel is in a great location, just opposite the University of Toronto and the Ontario Museum. On the left is the luxury shopping street, with LV, Chanel and other world brands. On the right is a subway station more than 100 meters away. There are also 24-hour convenience stores and department stores on both sides.
The room is large, spacious, bright and well-equipped, which is equivalent to a one-bedroom apartment, much larger than the rooms of Tokyo Empire and Hong Kong Conrad. The restaurant on the first floor is a high-end restaurant with no buffet. Breakfast costs 30 Canadian dollars per person, and dinner costs about 60 Canadian dollars per person. If you want to save money, you can go to Whole Foods 500 meters behind the side. It is very huge and has everything you need for cooked food, and there are even rice self-service lunch boxes.
Located in the wealthy area of Yorkville, Toronto, it is safe and quiet. There are no tour groups. Most of the guests are Europeans and Americans, but the hotel is also very friendly to Chinese people, with warm smiles. There are two Asian girls at the front desk who can speak some Chinese, so we checked in in two or three minutes.
The only minor issue was that the hotel asked us to pay a facility fee twice. We explained to the hotel that the Ctrip booking included all fees. The hotel said they had not received the facility fee, but after looking at our confirmation letter on Ctrip, they kindly said they would reconfirm with Ctrip and it would not affect us.DariMYR 1,086
🧳 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)
Disclaimer: This article has been provided by an individual contributor or third party platform. If there is any discrepancy regarding the copyright, please contact us directly and we will delete the content immediately.
Kaedah pembayaran
Rakan kongsi kami
Hak cipta © 2026 Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte. Ltd. Semua hak cipta terpelihara.
Pengendali laman web: Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte. Ltd.
Pengendali laman web: Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte. Ltd.