Canada Tightens Tourist Visa Rules: Decline in Approvals and end of 10-Year visas

Canada tightens Tourist Visa rules and policies. As a result sharp decline in approvals and end of 10-Year visas impact Indian travelers

In a significant shift in Canada’s immigration policies, tourist visa success rates for Indian applicants have plummeted dramatically, falling from 80% to just 20%, with applicants from Punjab facing an even steeper decline. This has left many hopeful travelers frustrated as they face increasing uncertainty and unexpected challenges in securing visas.

Adding to these difficulties is Canada’s decision to end the automatic 10-year multiple-entry tourist visa, which had been a lifeline for frequent visitors with strong financial backgrounds and family ties in the country.

Tourist Visa Success Rates for Indian Applicants See Sharp Decline

Despite strained relations between India and Canada, the first half of 2024 showed promise for Indian tourist visa applicants, with the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issuing 365,750 visitor visas to India’s people from January to July—an increase compared to the 345,631 issued during the same period in 2023. However, by July-August, success rates dropped sharply, especially for applicants from Punjab.

This sudden decline has left even high-profile candidates—such as well-paid professionals, government officials, and families with substantial assets—facing rejections.

Mr. Walia, an expert in Canadian immigration, highlighted the growing unpredictability of the visa process, sharing an example of a couple working in a bank who were denied visas despite having high salaries and valuable property in India. He explained that previously, 8 out of 10 applicants from Punjab would successfully receive visas, but now only 1 in 10 applicants is approved after waiting months for decisions.

End of the 10-Year Multiple-Entry Visa: Further Impact on Travelers

The recent discontinuation of Canada’s automatic 10-year multiple-entry tourist visa will further complicate the situation for many travelers, particularly those who relied on this long-term option for its convenience and ease of approval. In the past, these visas were issued relatively quickly to individuals with strong financial profiles and travel histories. However, moving forward, immigration officers will have more discretion, making approvals harder to obtain.

Experts believe that this policy change, combined with the already declining approval rates, will severely impact frequent travelers. Now, those who previously held 10-year visas will be required to reapply for a tourist visa each time they wish to visit Canada, leading to increased uncertainty and delays.

The sudden drop in visa success rates has already affected Indian students and professionals, many of whom viewed the 10-year visa as an alternative to other long-term permits like student or work visas. With this option now off the table and tourist visa success rates at an all-time low, they are left with fewer and less predictable paths for travel to Canada.

Factors Behind the Decline in Tourist Visa Approvals

There are many important factors that have contributed to the decline in Visitor visa success rates for Indian applicants:

1. Allegations of Border Misuse: There have been rising cases of visitors using Canada as a transit point to illegally enter the United States. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), over 5,000 Indians crossed the Canada-U.S. border on foot without proper documentation in June 2024.

These incidents have led Canadian authorities to adopt a stricter approach to granting long-term tourist visas, particularly for applicants from high-volume countries like India.

2. Temporary Resident Rules and Policy: Canada has been making its policies very strict to decrease the number of temporary residents. Reports suggest that many visitors with 10-year visas overstayed or worked illegally, prompting immigration officials to apply stricter scrutiny to new visa applicants.

3. Processing Delays and Backlogs: The growing backlog of visa applications, coupled with longer processing times, has also played a role in the increase in rejections. As visa officials face mounting pressure, they appear to be applying more stringent criteria, leaving many applicants waiting months only to be denied.

4. Strained Diplomatic Relations: The political tensions between India and Canada, particularly following accusations involving India in a high-profile assassination case in Canada, have affected bilateral relations. While there is no official link between these tensions and immigration policy, experts believe they may be influencing Canada’s cautious stance on issuing visas to Indian nationals.

These factors combined have created a highly challenging environment for Indian travelers seeking to visit Canada. Experts warn that even strong candidates are facing unprecedented rejection rates, with little clarity or consistency in the reasons for denial.

As Canada continues to tighten its immigration policies, Indian applicants, especially those from Punjab, are left grappling with a new reality of reduced visa approvals and increasing hurdles.