Canada has revised its visa policies, discontinuing the automatic issuance of 10-year multiple-entry visas for tourists.
The new guidelines, released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), give immigration officers more discretion in determining visa validity and type.
Under the previous system, eligible visitors were routinely granted long-term visas that allowed multiple entries over a decade. However, the revised policy requires each application to be assessed individually, with officers deciding whether to issue a single-entry or multiple-entry visa and determining its validity period.
According to IRCC, “Multiple-entry visas issued to maximum validity are no longer considered standard. Officers may exercise their judgement in issuing visas and deciding their duration.”
The IRCC clarified that this change is part of a broader strategy to address challenges such as housing shortages, rising living costs, and infrastructure constraints. The shift reflects Canada’s efforts to align its immigration policies with current economic and resource realities.
Prior to this change in policies, Canadian tourist visas were available in two forms: single-entry and multiple-entry. The latter was the default option, allowing visits for up to 10 years or until one month before the passport’s expiration. Single-entry visas, often issued for specific events or official visits, were less common.
Under the new guidelines, officers will tailor visas to the applicant’s needs and circumstances, moving away from the standard practice of issuing maximum-validity multiple-entry visas.
Although the application fee remains unchanged at CAD 100, the policy could result in higher costs for frequent travelers, who may need to reapply more often due to shorter visa durations.
In addition to the visa changes, Canada plans to reduce its permanent resident admission targets, lowering the 2025 target from 500,000 to 395,000, with further reductions expected in subsequent years. These measures are part of a broader effort to manage immigration levels and address the country’s economic and infrastructure pressures.