Canada Tightens Tourist Visa Policy: Difficult to get 10 years Multiple-Entry Visa now ( Watch Video )
**Canada Revises Visa Policy, Restricting Automatic Ten-Year Multiple-Entry Visas Amid Housing and Population Pressures
Baljit Balli
Ottawa, November 07, 2024:
In a major shift from previous policy, Canada will no longer routinely issue multiple-entry tourist visas valid for up to ten years. Canadian immigration officers now have increased discretion to issue either single- or multiple-entry visas, with validity periods varying based on individual circumstances. This new approach, outlined in a recent government update, aims to mitigate growing concerns around population growth and housing shortages.
Under the former policy, visitors with multiple-entry visas could re-enter Canada multiple times over a period of up to ten years, or until their travel document or biometrics expired. With the recent changes, however, the assumption of automatic long-term multiple-entry visas has been removed. "Officers may exercise their judgment in deciding whether to issue a single or multiple-entry visa and in determining the validity period," the Canadian immigration department announced, signaling a significant policy shift.
This change is part of a broader immigration adjustment under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration, which has faced public pressure over housing affordability and high living costs. Immigration Minister Marc Miller has recently highlighted the connection between Canada’s temporary resident influx and its housing crisis. "We own a part of that,” Miller said, acknowledging that Canada may have acted too late in addressing the surge in temporary residents.
The revised visa policy also emphasizes Canada’s approach to temporary migration. Officials affirmed that individuals on temporary visas will be expected to leave when their visas expire, with potential deportation for those who overstay. "Temporary means temporary," Miller stated, underscoring the government's stricter stance.
The updated policy comes at a time when the Trudeau administration is contending with low approval ratings, driven partly by public concern over housing affordability. With over a million temporary residents expected to leave Canada in the coming years, this policy shift underscores the government’s commitment to balancing immigration with domestic challenges, particularly in housing and employment.