In what is being largely seen as an attempt to restrict the misuse of tourist visas for migration, Canada has ended its standard practice of issuing 10-year, multiple-entry visas.
According to the new guidelines, immigration officers will have the discretion to issue single-entry or shorter duration long-term tourist visas after considering a number of factors, including the purpose of the visit and if applicants can fund their travel to Canada.
The notice posted by Immigrants, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on its website recently stated: “Guidance has been updated to indicate that multiple-entry visas issued to maximum validity are no longer considered to be the standard document. Officers may exercise their judgement in deciding whether to issue a single or multiple-entry visa, and in determining the validity period.”
The new rules will also determine if an applicant has “demonstrated strong ties to their home country” that is, whether they have employment or family obligations, and if they have obeyed the visa rules during their previous travels to Canada.
Officers can also issue multiple-entry visas for a period less than 10 years, or for a period related to the expiry of the applicant’s passport.
Canada has introduced a slew of changes to its immigration system to limit the avenues through which people move to the country.
Since the end of COVID-19, the North American country has been reeling under the crisis of affordable housing due to a record level of population growth.
In 2023, Canada’s population grow by 1.27 million people (3.2 percent), which was the highest annual population growth rate since 1957.
Reports attributed the population explosion to an influx of temporary workers and students into the country.
The government said the population growth would have been just a third of this figure without these temporary immigrants.
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