Canada has updated its visa policies, ending the routine issuance of automatic 10-year multiple-entry visas for tourists. According to new guidelines from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), immigration officers will now have the flexibility to issue visas with varying durations, based on individual assessments.
The IRCC stated, “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 judgment in deciding whether to issue a single or multiple-entry visa and in determining the validity period.”
Previously, eligible visitors were typically granted long-term visas allowing multiple entries over a decade, but this will no longer be the default approach.
This policy adjustment reflects Canada’s efforts to address challenges tied to temporary immigration, including housing shortages and rising living costs. While Canada’s visitor visa application fee remains CAD 100 per person, the revised policy may increase expenses for frequent travelers who could need to reapply more often due to shorter-term visas.
The changes come amid broader immigration measures, including a decrease in Canada’s permanent residency targets, which are set to decline from 500,000 in 2025 to 395,000 by 2027, in response to economic and infrastructure pressures.
