Maple News reports that Canada’s immigration authorities have introduced updated guidance narrowing access to multiple-entry visitor visas. This change marks a significant shift in how Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) evaluates and approves visitor visas.
Previously, multiple-entry visas were generally seen as the default option for eligible travelers visiting Canada. However, IRCC has now provided clearer, more restrictive guidelines for immigration officers, who retain discretion over whether applicants receive single- or multiple-entry visas.
Under the revised approach, officers carefully assess the purpose and duration of a visitor’s travel plans before issuing a visa. If an applicant only needs to visit Canada once, they are more likely to receive a single-entry visa. Conversely, those with credible and frequent travel needs to Canada—such as for business meetings, family ties, or academic collaboration—may still qualify for a multiple-entry visa.
This reevaluation supports Canada’s efforts to maintain security while managing travel volume efficiently. It also reinforces IRCC’s case-by-case decision-making model, ensuring every applicant is evaluated based on their unique circumstances and intentions.
Most travelers from abroad are required to obtain a visa to visit Canada. A visa, typically stamped into a passport, allows entry as a tourist, temporary worker, or student. However, some foreign nationals—such as citizens of visa-exempt countries—must instead apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
An eTA is a faster, simpler process compared to a traditional visa and is linked electronically to a traveler’s passport. Visitors from countries like Australia, the UK, and Japan generally need an eTA rather than a visa. Meanwhile, citizens and permanent residents of the United States do not need either a visa or eTA to enter Canada.
The updated visa issuance guidelines reflect IRCC’s ongoing efforts to ensure consistency, security, and fairness in the visitor application process. Those considering travel to Canada should review entry requirements closely and be prepared to justify their travel needs when applying.
Maple News will continue to monitor updates from IRCC and provide timely information to help individuals navigate Canada’s evolving immigration landscape.