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
Very Good112 Ulasan
Downtown Toronto Toronto|0.81km dari pusat bandar
The hotel was a glamorous stay right in the heart of Toronto. There’s a feeling of old luxury in the rooms and the lobby. The room had been renovated recently but they’re much smaller than newer hotels and only just fits a couple and luggage. The amenities were good, and we used the small sauna and steam room. Everything about the hotel was great despite being so compact. The toiletries provided were by Le Labo, but the scent is very strong and can be overpowering for some if you don’t bring your own.DariMYR 577
Amazing133 Ulasan
Entertainment District Toronto|0.51km dari pusat bandar
This hotel was well worth the splurge!! Great location and the staff are so friendly and accommodating. They were always quick to help and the rooms were super clean. The pool and gym were also very nice.DariMYR 1,391
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.DariMYR 922
Very Good137 Ulasan
Downtown Toronto Toronto|0.45km dari pusat bandar
The bar near the lobby is nice and they have a beautiful bar. The breakfast is not good. They say is included and they only let you have one option from the menu. Luxury is flexibility. Having to pay extra if I want to eat more in a five star hotel feels cheap.DariMYR 1,507
Great48 Ulasan
Entertainment District Toronto|0.92km dari pusat bandar
The reason for choosing Ritz is to value service. But I think Ritz Toronto didn't do that! Ritz discriminates in room arrangement! When I first stayed for two nights, I was assigned to the 10th floor. I was not satisfied and asked for a higher one. I was changed to the 17th floor! As a result, when I checked in again two days later, I was assigned to the 7th floor! I was speechless! And knowing that I had just checked in a few days ago, I wonder if guests are used to it! The most unacceptable thing is that when I left, I asked the concierge to help me move my luggage into the car. I also prepared a tip. As a result, the concierge was extremely unenthusiastic. I reminded him several times but he didn't move. He moved one for every one my friend moved! He even wanted a tip. Where does his confidence come from!DariMYR 2,029
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.DariMYR 2,188
Amazing106 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 1,956
Great104 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 1,117
Business travel
Great141 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 525
Very Good271 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 490
Very Good128 Ulasan
Downtown Toronto Toronto|1.35km dari pusat bandar
Right next to CN Tower, Roger Center, the location is very convenient ~ The hotel facilities are very new and clean ~ There are many restaurants and shopping aroundDariMYR 765
Very Good368 Ulasan
Downtown Toronto Toronto|0.42km dari pusat bandar
It's Hilton. As expected. Great location with nearby amenities. Beautiful view from the rooms. No water for the coffee machine though. Pic is of the CN Tower as viewed from the room. Would have stayed longer but it's too cold now for me in Canada, so will return in the Spring. Highly recommend.DariMYR 635
Great79 Ulasan
Financial District Toronto|0.46km dari pusat bandar
Really nice suite, perfectly situated in downtown Toronto within walking distance of Union Station. My room was organized into a living room, bedroom, and bathroom, and it had the feel of being an upscale apartment rather than just a hotel room.DariMYR 473
Great268 Ulasan
Downtown Toronto Toronto|0.24km dari pusat bandar
The hotel was in an excellent location withing walking distance to the City Hall, Eaton Center and other attractions. The Deluxe room had great views of the surrounding buildings. The room needed bit of cleaning which was promptly addressed. The a-la-cart breakfast included in the room rate was very good.DariMYR 722
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.DariMYR 537
Very Good119 Ulasan
The Harbourfront Toronto|1.62km dari pusat bandar
A great hotel in a prime location. The Radisson Blu is situated right on the harbor. It is surrounded by iconic locations, great restaurants and attractions. The CN tower and Roger Center are just a few minutes walk. You can walk along the harbor boardwalk or sit in a nice cafe and watch planes take off and land at the small island airport just across the water.DariMYR 754
Breakfast
Very Good107 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.DariMYR 248
Very Good79 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 491
Great137 Ulasan
Garden District Toronto|0.37km dari pusat bandar
Stayed on the 5th floor of the hotel room with the bedroom facing an office space. As a result, would need to draw the curtain if privacy is needed. There were some road construction or renovations going on in the early morning (around 5am) near the office block and the construction noise can be heard from the room.
Requested for a kettle, and the kettle provided has a lot of calcific deposits at the base of the kettle.DariMYR 573
Great145 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!DariMYR 780
40 Ulasan
Toronto|9.25km dari pusat bandar
We enjoy this hotel because it has the pools, buffet option and the fridges for snacks if wanted or needed. I also noticed the laundry room this time and think it's nice to have available. It's also close to the things we need so we like the location for personal and business.DariMYR 380
Very Good90 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.DariMYR 595
Great107 Ulasan
Downtown Toronto Toronto|1.13km dari pusat bandar
We were on a family holiday to Toronto. We really loved the delta hotel. The location is so convenient to great restaurants, transportation and Lake Ontario. The breakfast was also fantastic. Definitely highly recommended to anyone.DariMYR 866
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 548
🧳 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)