Friday, November 8, 2024 Canada’s visa policy has just taken a significant turn. Moving away from the long-standing 10-year multiple-entry visas, Canada is now giving immigration officers the power to decide each visitor’s access individually. This shift means that, rather than the easy, long-term access many travelers enjoyed, tourists could now find themselves limited to single-entry or shorter-duration multiple-entry visas, depending on their unique circumstances.
For many, especially frequent travelers and families, this change introduces a new layer of complexity and cost. Previously, most applicants were automatically granted a multiple-entry visa, giving them the freedom to enter and leave Canada multiple times over up to 10 years or until just before their passport expired. This flexibility made Canada an attractive destination for those with family, business, or leisure interests there.
Now, however, immigration officers will be assessing each application case-by-case, deciding the type of visa and its validity based on the applicant’s specific situation. In practical terms, this means that applicants may face more frequent renewals, increased costs, and potential single-entry restrictions. Those who once depended on the certainty of a long-term visa might now find their access to Canada less predictable, especially if they’re visiting for personal reasons, work, or leisure.
This new policy has landed as a major setback for Indian travelers, who make up a lar.
