Canada revises visa guidelines, curtails 10-year visitor visas

Toronto: In a move impacting Indian nationals, particularly those from Punjab, Canada has announced significant changes to its visitor visa policies amid ongoing tensions with India.

The Canadian government has altered its visa guidelines, discontinuing the 10-year visitor visa for the majority of applicants. Under the new regulations, the issuance of multiple-entry visas valid for up to 10 years will be limited, with decisions made at the discretion of on-site immigration officers.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship highlighted that most visitor visas will now be issued as single-entry visas, with validity periods ranging from six months to one year.

This adjustment underscores Canada’s revised approach to visa durations, signaling a departure from previous policies that commonly allowed multiple entries over a longer term.