Canada has updated its visa policy, ending the routine practice of granting 10-year multiple-entry visas to most tourist applicants. According to recent guidelines from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), immigration officers will now have the flexibility to decide the duration and type of visa issued, based on an individual assessment of each applicant’s circumstances.
Previously, travelers who met certain criteria were often issued multiple-entry visas, which allowed repeated entries into Canada for up to a decade. Now, IRCC officers will determine whether applicants receive single-entry or multiple-entry visas and for how long, moving away from the standard 10-year multiple-entry visa as the default option.
The IRCC noted, “Guidance has been updated to indicate that multiple-entry visas issued to maximum validity are no longer considered to be the standard document. Officers may exercise their judgement in deciding whether to issue a single or multiple-entry visa and in determining the validity period.”
The changes are part of Canada’s broader approach to manage temporary immigration more carefully amid challenges related to housing, infrastructure strain, and rising costs of living. The new approach allows Canada to align its immigration policies with its current infrastructure and economic resources.
Historically, Canada offered both single-entry and multiple-entry visas for tourists, with multiple-entry visas being the preferred option, often allowing visits up to the passport’s expiration date or up to 10 years. Now, officials will review each application more closely, assessing the specific needs and travel purposes of applicants.
Although the application fee for a Canadian visitor visa remains CAD 100, the policy may lead to increased costs for frequent travelers who might need to apply more often if they are issued shorter-duration visas.
The visa change aligns with Canada’s recent adjustments to immigration targets, including a planned reduction in the number of permanent residents. The country’s goal will decrease from 500,000 in 2025 to 395,000 in 2026, with further cuts expected in following years as part of an effort to better balance immigration with infrastructure capacity.
