Esther Salifu
Canada has ended its practice of automatically granting 10-year multiple-entry visas to tourists. Under new guidelines from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), immigration officers will now assess each application on a case-by-case basis, determining the type and duration of the visa.
“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,” said the IRCC.
This change aims to manage temporary immigration levels amid Canada’s housing shortages and rising living costs. The policy adjustment reflects the government’s efforts to adapt its immigration approach to economic and infrastructure pressures.
This move is part of a broader strategy to balance immigration levels with Canada’s infrastructure capabilities, including reducing permanent resident admissions from 500,000 in 2025 to 395,000, with further decreases planned for 2026 and 2027.
Application fee remains CAD 100 per person, but frequent travellers may incur increased costs due to shorter-term visas.
