New Rules for Canada Tourist Visas: Shorter Terms, No More Automatic 10-Year Validity

Canada has updated its tourist visa policy, putting an end to the routine issuance of 10-year multiple-entry visas. The announcement, made by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on Thursday, outlines that immigration officers now have greater flexibility to issue visas with shorter durations based on individual circumstances, rather than defaulting to long-term visas.

According to the IRCC, this change is part of a larger strategy to manage temporary immigration levels, address housing shortages, and control the rising cost of living. For frequent travelers, this could mean higher application costs and shorter-term visas, which may affect those who travel often for work or leisure.

What was the previous policy?

Previously, IRCC offered two types of Canada tourist visas: multiple-entry and single-entry. Applicants were automatically considered for a multiple-entry visa, allowing them to visit Canada multiple times during the visa’s validity, which could last up to 10 years or until one month before their passport expired, whichever came first.

In contrast, single-entry visas permitted only one visit to Canada and were typically issued for specific situations, such as official visits by foreign nationals exempt from fees, attendance at one-time events, or cases governed by specific country guidelines. Holders of single-entry visas would generally need to apply for a new visa if they wanted to return to Canada.