Introduction In a notable shift, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has revised its approach to issuing visitor visas. As of the updates made public on November 6, 2024, the issuance of multiple-entry visitor visas is no longer an automatic process. If an officer was going to approve the default would be multi-entry and until the expiry of the passport/travel document. That's no longer the case and reflects increased tightening in the visa regime and immigration/entry to Canada overall. Ostensibly the change aims to tailor visa issuance more closely to the specific circumstances of applicants. Here’s what you need to know about these changes: The Essence of the Multiple-Entry Visa A multiple-entry visa for Canada traditionally allows travelers to: Enter Canada multiple times during the visa’s validity period. Be valid for up to 10 years or until the expiration of either the travel document or biometric validity, whichever occurs first. However, Visa officers are now directed to use discretion to decide on the type of visa issued: Purpose of Visit: *Short-term or One-Time Events: If the visit is for a conference, short training, or similar one-off events, a single-entry visa might be more appropriate. *Regular Visits: For those visiting frequently,... Read more →