Canada has recently introduced a significant change to its tourist visa policy by discontinuing the regular 10-year multiple-entry visas.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced on Thursday that new guidelines will give officials the discretion to issue short-term visas based on individual assessments rather than long-term visas.
This change is expected to impact Indian nationals the most, as they make up a large migrant group in Canada.
Impact of the New Visa Policy
The IRCC explained that this update is part of a broader strategy to manage temporary immigration levels, address housing shortages, and control the rising cost of living.
Under the new rules, frequent travelers to Canada might only receive shorter-term visas, which will impact people who regularly visit Canada for activities such as working holidays.
Previous Visa Policy
Previously, IRCC offered two types of visas: multiple-entry and single-entry. Applicants did not need to choose, as everyone was automatically considered for a multiple-entry visa.
This type of visa allowed travelers to enter Canada multiple times during its validity, which could be up to 10 years or until the passport expired, whichever came first.
On the other hand, single-entry visas allowed only one entry into Canada.
These were typically issued for special cases, such as official visits by foreign nationals eligible for duty exemptions or participation in one-time events.
If a person with a single-entry visa left Canada, they generally needed a new visa to re-enter.
Why the Change?
The IRCC explained that this policy shift is part of a broader strategy to manage temporary immigration levels.
The goal is to address housing shortages and control the rising cost of living.
As a result, frequent visitors to Canada may now receive shorter-term visas, which could affect those who often travel to Canada for work or holidays.
