Canada Tightens Visa Policy: Multiple-Entry Visas No Longer Standard for Tourists

In a shift from past practice, Canada will no longer automatically issue multiple-entry tourist visas with a validity period of up to ten years. This new visa policy grants Canadian immigration officers the discretion to issue single- or multiple-entry visas on a case-by-case basis, with varying validity durations based on individual circumstances. This move aims to address the nation’s growing concerns around population pressures and housing shortages, according to recent statements by government officials.

Previously, multiple-entry visas allowed visitors to enter Canada multiple times within a validity period of up to ten years, or until the travel document or biometrics expired. Now, the default assumption that applicants will receive a maximum validity visa is gone. “Officers may exercise their judgment in deciding whether to issue a single or multiple-entry visa and in determining the validity period,” stated a recent update from the Canadian immigration department. This shift marks a significant departure from the previous visa policy.

The change coincides with broader immigration adjustments under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration. Facing rising concerns over housing shortages and high living costs, the government has begun reducing immigration quotas, affecting both permanent residents and temporary workers. In October, Immigration Minister Marc Miller noted that Canada has been slow to address the influx of temporary residents, which he acknowledged has contributed to Canada’s housing crisis. “We own a part of that,” Miller said, adding that “it’s also safe to say…we perhaps should have acted a little sooner.”

The revised visa policy aligns with Canada’s stance on temporary migration, with officials affirming that individuals in Canada on temporary visas will be expected to leave as their visas expire. Those who overstay will face deportation as the government enforces the principle that “temporary means temporary,” Miller stated.

The policy update arrives at a time when the Trudeau administration faces low approval ratings, driven in part by public concerns over housing affordability. With over a million temporary residents expected to exit Canada in the coming years, this move underscores Canada’s intent to balance immigration with domestic challenges, particularly in housing and employment.