How fresh changes to Canada visa policy may affect you

In a recent policy shift, Canada’s Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced changes to its tourist visa system, cancelling the 10-year multiple-entry visa as a default option for international travellers, including Nigerians. 

This change gives Canadian immigration officers the discretion to issue single-entry or multiple-entry visas based on individual circumstances rather than routinely approving long-duration visas.

Under the new guidelines, those seeking to visit Canada may encounter notable changes. Instead of benefiting from the stability and flexibility provided by the 10-year visa, Nigerians who travel frequently for business, family visits, or leisure may now face shorter visa durations, resulting in repeated applications and higher cumulative fees. 

A recent statement by IRCC reads, “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 judgement in deciding whether to issue a single or multiple-entry visa, and in determining the validity period.”

This policy introduces a financial strain for Nigerians as the CAD 100 which is a little bit over NGN 120,000 remains the applicable fee for each application, regardless of the visa duration granted.

The decision to modify the visa policy reflects Canada’s broader approach to managing temporary immigration, a response to increased housing demands, cost-of-living challenges, and post-pandemic population surges. 

Previously, Nigerian applicants were automatically considered for the multiple-entry visa, which allowed them to travel in and out of Canada for over 10 years or until just before their passport expired. 

However, under the revised system, visa officers now assess the necessity of each application, meaning travellers may need to justify why they require multiple entries or extended stays.

This shift aligns with Canada’s recent adjustments to its immigration targets. Last month, the IRCC announced a reduction in its planned intake of permanent residents, aiming to bring in 395,000 newcomers in 2025, down from a previous target of 500,000. 

Subsequent years will also see lower targets, as Canada works to balance immigrant influx with infrastructure and public service capacities.

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