Canada | Automatic 10-year multiple-entry visa policy change

The Canadian government announced new rules for multiple-entry visas, giving officials more discretion on validity and entry limits.

Key Points:

• The multiple-entry visa allows the holder to seek entry from any country as often as necessary during the visa’s period of validity and has a maximum validity period of up to 10 years or the expiration date of either the travel document or biometrics, whichever comes first.
• Officials have now updated the visa policy, giving officers discretion to issue single- or multiple-entry visas and to establish the proper duration of validity.
• For multiple-entry visas, officers may now decide to issue the visa with a validity period shorter than the maximum 10 years.

Additional Information: A multiple-entry visa can still be valid if affixed in a full or complete passport or travel document. The holder must also be in possession of a newer and valid passport or travel document and must present both documents to the airline carrier to travel and/or seek entry.

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada guidelines for issuing single- or multiple-entry visas are based on factors such as purpose of visit, funds, medical or other matters, including strong ties to home country, previous travel to Canada and outside of an individual’s home country, and any previously visa refusals. When determining the validity period, officers may also consider factors such as short-term purpose for the visit, status in current country of residence and the economic or political conditions in the applicant’s home country.

BAL Analysis: Canadian officials stated, “Guidance has been updated to indicate that multiple-entry visas issued to maximum validity are no longer considered to be the standard document. … Officers may exercise their judgment in deciding whether to issue a single- or multiple-entry visa and in determining the validity period.”

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.