Canada has officially ended the automatic issuance of 10-year multiple-entry visas for tourists, as outlined in new guidelines released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
This marks a shift from the previous practice where eligible visitors were routinely granted long-term visas allowing multiple entries over a period of up to 10 years.
Under the revised guidelines, immigration officers now have the discretion to issue visas with shorter durations based on individual assessments.
Instead of automatically granting a maximum-validity multiple-entry visa, each application will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and officers will determine whether to issue a single-entry or multiple-entry visa, along with the validity period.
“Guidance has been updated to indicate that multiple-entry visas issued to maximum validity are no longer considered the standard document,” the IRCC stated. “Officers may exercise their judgment in deciding whether to issue a single or multiple-entry visa and in determining the validity period.”
This policy change is part of Canada’s broader strategy to manage temporary immigration levels, particularly in response to challenges such as housing shortages and rising living costs.
The updated rules reflect the government’s efforts to adapt its immigration system in light of economic and infrastructure pressures.
Historically, Canada offered two types of tourist visas: single-entry and multiple-entry.
The latter was often issued for up to 10 years, allowing frequent visitors to enter the country multiple times. In contrast, single-entry visas were generally reserved for specific events or official visits.
Now, with the new guidelines, maximum-validity multiple-entry visas will no longer be the standard.
Immigration officers will assess each application and tailor the visa type and duration according to the traveler’s specific circumstances.
The application fee for a Canadian visitor visa remains unchanged at CAD 100 per person, regardless of whether the visa is single-entry or multiple-entry.
However, frequent travelers may face higher costs as they may need to apply for visas more often due to shorter durations.
This shift is part of a wider effort by the Canadian government to balance immigration levels with the country’s current infrastructure capabilities.
Additionally, Canada has announced a reduction in the target for permanent resident admissions, dropping from 500,000 in 2025 to 395,000, with further reductions planned for 2026 and 2027.
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