Canada’s New Visitor Visa Policy: Case-by-Case Issuance

Canada has decided to change its visitor visa policy. It will shift away from issuing long-term multiple-entry tourist visas. Now, immigration officers will issue tourist visas on a case-by-case basis. Earlier, tourists could get multiple-entry tourist visas which allowed their entry into Canada from any country for six months, as many times as they wanted. These visas were valid for up to 10 years or one month before your passport expired, whichever was shorter.

According to the revised policy, issuing an extended multiple-entry visa is no longer a default choice. In future, the immigration officer will assess applications based on Canada’s immigration needs and the best fit depending on the requirements of the applicant. It will assess the length of coverage of the visa depending on the situation of the applicant.

For example, whether the applicant wants to visit Canada to explore business opportunities, attend a business conference, visit close family members, pursue a short-term course, or take care of someone physically ill, IRCC will issue a single-entry or multiple-entry visa based on the number of visits required. The officer will also check if the applicant has sufficient funds to cover the expenses of their stay.

Additional Considerations for Multiple-Entry Visas

Immigration officers will also check if the applicant has a regular income source for their stay on a multiple-entry visa. This ensures that the officer won’t have to verify those sources on subsequent trips. Officers will assess whether the application is supported by a host and if the host is covering the travel expenses. They will also review if the host has invited other visitors in the past and whether the host has sufficient funds to support the applicant’s stay.

Medical Reasons for Visa Applications

Medical reasons are going to be looked at closely if an applicant wants to visit Canada for treatment. If the person has a medical condition, officers will issue a visa depending on whether their condition may or may not get worse. Other factors include stronger ties to their home country, family obligations, and the applicant’s travel history. Overall, IRCC aims to be stricter when it comes to issuing tourist visas for Canada. Issuing officers have been advised to look at the purpose of the visit, whether it’s a one-time event, short-term visit, or long-term visit. When issuing tourist visas, IRCC will also consider the political conditions of the applicant’s home country.

Overstaying Visitors

The government will also deport visitors who overstay their visit. This move aligns with Canada’s recent announcement to reduce immigration targets to pause population growth in the short term and ensure sustainable growth in the long term. Canada has reduced the number of permanent residents by 21% in 2025, lowering the previous target from 500,000 to 395,000.

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