The Canadian government has introduced fresh changes in its temporary visa rules. In the new changes, Canada has ended the standard way of issuing multiple entry visit visa based on the validity of a passport.
Going forward, the new regulations will require visa officers to decide whether a visit visa should be a single entry visa or a multiple entry visa. The visa officers shall also determine how long they want the visa to be valid for.
According to the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the multiple entry visa that has been getting issued allowed the holder to seek entry to Canada from any country as often as necessary during the visa’s period of validity.
It also came with a maximum validity date of up to 10 years or the expiry date of either the travel document or biometrics, whichever was first. In addition, it could still be valid if affixed in a full or complete passport or travel document.
Under the new regulations, the IRCC says that officers may exercise their judgement in deciding whether to issue a single- or a multiple-entry visa.
This means that if an applicant has applied for a conference lasting one week, they could get a visit visa that will be valid reasonably within their duration of stay of one week.
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“Factors the officer should consider will include an evaluation of whether the applicant is coming for a one-time event, such as a conference, training session or tourism, or if they will be returning to Canada on a regular basis, such as to visit close family members,” the IRCC states.
Money will also be a big factor. “Does the applicant have a stable, ongoing source of funds, such as employment, that would be sufficient to finance multiple visits to Canada?” the IRCC paused. “If the host (family or friend) in Canada will cover the applicant’s expenses, is proof of relationship provided, and is the host well established in Canada? Has the host also invited other people? Do they have sufficient resources to provide for all invited individuals for multiple visits?”
