Canada has updated its tourist visa policy, moving away from issuing automatic 10-year multiple-entry visas. Under new guidelines from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), visa officers now have the flexibility to assess each application individually. Officers may choose to issue either single or multiple-entry visas, with durations tailored to each traveller’s specific situation rather than a standard 10-year period.
According to IRCC, this shift aims to allow officers more judgment in determining visa types and durations that best fit an applicant’s needs. Notably, the application fee remains the same—CAD 100 per person—regardless of whether the visa is single-entry or multiple-entry.
Broader Immigration Changes
The updated visa policy is part of a broader strategy Canada is implementing to manage immigration levels amid infrastructure challenges and public concerns. Key recent measures include:
- Reduced Permanent Resident Targets: Canada has scaled back its immigration targets, aiming for 395,000 new permanent residents by 2025, with gradual reductions to 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 by 2027.
- Cap on International Students: In a move expected to reduce international student numbers by around 300,000 over three years, Canada has introduced limits on study permits.
- Temporary Foreign Worker Restrictions: Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program has been tightened, reducing the number of low-wage foreign workers that businesses can employ by 10-20%.
- Visa Requirements Reinstated for Mexican Citizens: Citing a rise in asylum claims and unauthorized entries, Canada reintroduced visa requirements for Mexican nationals effective February 29, 2024.
These changes reflect Canada’s efforts to carefully manage immigration flows while addressing domestic concerns around resources and infrastructure.
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