Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated their guidelines in the processing of multiple entry visitor visas, also referred to as a temporary resident visa, to Canada. This update does not affect the visas that have already been issued, however it will impact all new applications submitted to IRCC.

The update gives visa officers more discretion in determining whether to issue a single-entry or multiple-entry visa, as well as determining the validity period of those visas. The previous standard of issuing multiple-entry visas with a maximum validity of 10 years is no longer valid; officers will now evaluate each application on a case-by-case basis.

Visa Validity

Under the updated guidelines, officers will assess each application to determine the duration of the visa they will grant. Applications will be reviewed and the duration granted will be based on your personal circumstances and reasons for wanting to enter Canada. Officers reviewing the applications will not only take into consideration your reason for entry, but they will also assess ties to your home country, and your finances. They may also choose to issue a visa for a shorter duration regardless of what you are requesting in your application, depending on the documents provided and the narrative presented in the application.

Which type of visa to get: Single-Entry Vs. Multiple-Entry Visa

The key distinction between these a single-entry visa and a multiple-entry visa is straightforward in that a single-entry visa permits only one entry into Canada, while a multiple-entry visa allows for repeated entries. The validity date granted will be at the discretion of the officer reviewing the application.

How A Visa Officer Will Assess Your Situation

According to IRCC, there are multiple factors that officers take into consideration when assessing your eligibility for either a single-entry or multiple-entry visa. A visa officer will assess the purpose of your visit; is it a visit for a single event or does a visa need to be issued for consistent travel back into Canada? Every case is unique, these factors will be based on the documentation provided and your personal circumstances. 

Other factors an officer will take into consideration are your health/medical conditions, your travel history and if you have respected previous authorizations that were granted to you from Canada or any other country. A full list and examples of each factor that will be taken into consideration can be found on the Government of Canada website.