Canada’s visa policy is undergoing a significant shift, moving from a more accessible, US-style long-term multiple-entry model to a system similar to the Schengen visa. The new system allows for varying durations, often shorter, and may involve either single or multiple entries based on individual cases.

The Canadian government has updated its visa guidelines, specifying that multiple-entry visas with maximum validity are no longer the default. Instead, immigration officers will now have the discretion to issue either single or multiple-entry visas and to decide the duration of validity. This policy change, combined with already lengthy visa processing times in India, has disappointed many Indians, especially given Canada’s large Indian diaspora.

Anil Kalsi, Vice President of the Travel Agents Federation of India, explained to TOI that Canada previously issued multiple-entry visitor visas, often valid for up to 10 years or tied to the remaining validity on an applicant’s passport. For example, if someone’s passport had eight years of validity left, the Canadian visa would be issued for the same period.

This new rule will substantially affect travelers and is expected to reduce the number of visits to Canada. Visa processing times are already prolonged due to reduced consular staff in India, making the impact even greater. Aside from visiting family and friends, many Indian tourists travel to Canada for popular attractions like Alaska cruises, the Rocky Mountains, and Niagara Falls, Kalsi noted.