In a significant policy shift, Canada has recently announced the discontinuation of its 10-year multiple-entry visitor visa. This change, implemented by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), aims to better manage temporary immigration and address concerns related to housing shortages and rising living costs.
Under the new policy, immigration officers will now have the discretion to determine the type and duration of a visa on a case-by-case basis. This means that applicants may receive single-entry or multiple-entry visas with a validity period shorter than 10 years.
This departure from the previous practice of issuing long-term multiple-entry visas could impact frequent travelers to Canada. Individuals who previously relied on the convenience of a 10-year visa may now need to apply for visas more frequently, potentially incurring additional costs and administrative burdens.
It’s important to note that this is just one of several recent policy changes implemented by Canada. Other notable changes include:
- Increased processing times: Due to a surge in applications, processing times for various visas have significantly increased.
- Tightened eligibility criteria: Canada has made it more challenging to qualify for certain visa programs by tightening eligibility requirements.
- Increased focus on skilled workers: The Canadian government has prioritized attracting skilled workers to address labor shortages in various sectors.
In conclusion, Canada’s revised visitor visa policy signals a shift in its approach to temporary immigration. As a result, frequent travellers to Canada may need to adapt to new visa requirements and processing times.