The Canadian government announced in a news item that new set of rules for multiple-entry visas have been outlined, giving visa officers more discretion on validity and entry limits.
What is multiple-entry visa?
The multiple-entry visa allows the holder to seek entry from any country as often as necessary during the visa’s validity period and has a validity period of 10 years or the expiration date of the travel document or passport. It also has a maximum stay of up to six months limitation for each visit within the validity period.
The Update
• 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 decide ton issue the visa with a validity shorter than the maximum 10 years.
• A multiple-entry visa can still be valid if affixed in a full or complete passport. The holder must also be in possession of a newer and valid passport and must present both documents too the airline carrier too travel and or seek entry.
Tips
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 or elsewhere, and any previous 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.