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JAPA: Canada Ends 10-Year Tourist Visas, Introduces Stricter Individual Assessments

Published

2 weeks ago

Nov 9, 2024.

Canada has announced that it will no longer automatically issue 10-year multiple-entry visas for tourists, a shift aimed at managing immigration levels, housing shortages, and living costs more effectively.

Under the new guidelines from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), immigration officers will assess each applicant individually and determine shorter visa durations as needed, instead of granting extended validity as a default.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that this change could lead to higher application costs and more frequent renewals for travelers who visit Canada regularly for work or leisure.

Previously, Canada offered two types of tourist visas: multiple-entry, which allowed visits up to 10 years or until just before the passport’s expiration, and single-entry, reserved for specific situations.

Now, immigration officers will decide on single-entry or multiple-entry visas and their duration based on each traveler’s circumstances.

According to the IRCC, “Guidance has been updated to indicate that multiple-entry visas issued to maximum validity are no longer considered the standard document. Officers may exercise judgment in issuing single or multiple-entry visas and setting the validity period.”

Despite these adjustments, the application fee remains CAD 100 per person, regardless of the visa type.

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This change aligns with Canada’s broader immigration strategy, which includes reducing the target for permanent resident admissions from 500,000 to 395,000 in 2025, with further reductions anticipated through 2027.

The move reflects Canada’s intent to balance immigration with infrastructure needs and economic stability as the country addresses rising living costs and housing pressures.