Blow for travelers: Canada shifts from long-term, multiple entry to Schengen-style subjectivity – Times of India

NEW DELHI: In a blow to people planning a trip to Canada, the country’s visa will shift from the friendly US model – long-term multiple entry – to the subjective Schengen system – regardless of duration, usually short, requiring one-time or multiple entries . The Canadian government has changed its visa policy: “The guidelines have been updated to reflect that multiple-entry visas issued with maximum validity are no longer considered the standard document. Officers can exercise their discretion in deciding whether to issue single or multiple visas. entry visa, and when determining the period of validity.”
This change, amid the long visa processing time in India, has come as a major blow to Indians considering the diaspora in Canada.
Travel Agents Federation of India Vice President Anil Kalsi said, “Canada used to issue multiple entry visitor visas with a validity of 10 years depending on the validity of the passport. That means if my passport has a validity of 8 year when my Canadian visa is approved, I will get the same for 8 years.
The rule change will have serious consequences for travelers and visits to Canada. Visa processing already takes a very long time (due to reduced consular staff in India). Aside from visiting friends and relatives, the other major categories of visitors to Canada are those going on cruises to Alaska, Rocky Mountain Tracks and Niagara, Kalsi said.