In an effort to balance immigration laws, Canada has introduced stringent rules for foreigners seeking entry into the country.
The new guidelines released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) showed that automatic 10-year multiple-entry visas for tourists will no longer be issued.
The IRCC also noted that the new guidelines empower immigration officers to issue visas with shorter durations based on individual assessments as opposed to the default extended validity period it previously issued.
According to the IRCC, the change is part of a broader strategy to manage temporary immigration levels, address housing shortages, and control the rising cost of living in the country.
What this means for frequent visitors to Canada is that they may face increased application costs and shorter-term visas, which is likely to affect those who regularly travel for work or leisure.
News About Nigeria reports that Canada previously offered two types of tourist visas, multiple-entry and single-entry.
All applicants were automatically considered for a multiple-entry visa, allowing multiple visits for up to 10 years or until one month before the passport’s expiration date.
Single-entry visas, which allowed only one entry into Canada, were reserved for specific situations, such as official visits or single-event participation.
However, according to the revised policy, maximum-validity multiple-entry visas are no longer standard.
According to the IRCC, Immigration officers now have greater discretion in determining whether to issue a single-entry or multiple-entry visa and will assess each application individually.
It maintained that this approach will allow for varied durations tailored to the specific needs of travelers.
It 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.”
The application fee for a Canadian visitor visa remains CAD 100 per person, with no cost difference between single-entry and multiple-entry visas.
