Get The Visibility Your Company Needs
Reduce compliance risks and mobility costs while managing individual and project-related travel with ImmiSMART: the solution that unifies your travel and mobility programs.
CANADA – Changes to multi-entry visa issuance.
November 18, 2024
By: Nouran Hassan
On November 6, 2024, the Government of Canada issued an important update affecting global mobility and corporate travel policies. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a significant change in the approach to issuing multi-entry visas. This shift marks a departure from the long-standing practice of granting multiple-entry visas with the maximum validity period as a standard. Now, IRCC officers are empowered to use discretion in deciding whether to issue a single-entry or multiple-entry visa and in determining the validity period.
Background to the update.
Historically, Canada’s multiple-entry visa system has been a reliable facilitator for global companies managing the international movement of employees. Multi-entry visas allowed frequent travelers to enter and exit Canada over a period of up to ten years without needing to reapply for each journey. This approach was not only practical but also streamlined operations for businesses whose employees traveled extensively between global locations. However, Canadian immigration policies are undergoing adjustments to accommodate changing priorities, including national security, border management, and economic considerations.
The recent policy shift aligns with broader global trends post-pandemic, where governments are reassessing and recalibrating their immigration frameworks. It comes as countries worldwide adopt more flexible, risk-sensitive approaches to visa issuance, reflecting a need to adapt to the complexities of today’s international travel environment. This change from a standard maximum-validity visa to a case-by-case evaluation emphasizes a tailored approach, enabling officers to factor in traveler profiles, travel patterns, and risk assessments before making a decision.
What this means for companies globally.
For companies relying on seamless mobility of their workforce into and out of Canada, this policy change introduces an element of unpredictability.
Operational impact.
Businesses may need to prepare for potential delays and increased administrative burdens. Given the officer discretion now involved, corporate mobility teams must account for varying validity periods and ensure compliance with the latest requirements.
Risk management.
As visa issuance becomes more tailored, there is a greater need for proactive risk management. Organizations must be vigilant in understanding the profiles of employees traveling to Canada, as well as the potential impact of a single-entry visa on project timelines or critical operations.
Strategic planning.
Multi-entry visas have historically facilitated short-notice or recurrent trips, essential for roles in leadership, project oversight, or client engagement. With this change, corporate travel and immigration managers will need to carefully plan assignments, factoring in the possibility of restricted travel options and the need for repeated applications.
Global mobility specialists should also anticipate more variability in the visa approval process. Businesses may have to engage in deeper consultations with immigration advisors and develop contingency plans for mission-critical travel. Additionally, travel risk management (TRM) strategies must be aligned to accommodate evolving immigration practices, emphasizing timely communication, resource allocation, and compliance monitoring.
Newland Chase insights.
At Newland Chase, we recognize that changes like these can add layers of complexity to already intricate mobility programs. While the discretionary issuance of single or multiple-entry visas may seem straightforward, the real-world impact can be significant. Companies will need to stay informed about the potential for changes in validity periods and navigate these shifts with agility.
Our experts suggest a proactive approach: assess the visa needs of your traveling employees early, particularly for those requiring frequent travel to Canada. Consider engaging with our consultants to implement solutions that mitigate disruptions. Whether it’s advising on strategic timing for visa applications, creating robust documentation to support multi-entry requests, or navigating the nuances of this new policy, our goal is to simplify the journey for our clients.
We are monitoring how this update unfolds and will continue to provide guidance as more information becomes available. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Newland Chase dedicated contact or submit an inquiry here should you have any specific questions regarding this announcement.
This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Chase for any case- or company-specific assessments.
