What Is the Difference Between a Single and a Multiple Entry Canadian Visa?

There are many reasons you may be looking to travel to Canada. You may need to go for a work-related event such as a meeting, conference, or professional training. You may need to go for personal reasons such as a wedding or a family reunion. Whatever your reason for visiting, you may be issued either a single or a multiple entry Canadian visa.

Differences Between a Single and Multiple Entry Canadian Visa

The main difference between a single and a multiple entry Canadian visa, of course, is clear from the designation itself. A single entry visa allows you to travel to Canada for one time only. A multiple entry visa, on the other hand, allows you to travel to Canada on more than one occasion. More specifically, a multiple entry visa allows the holder to travel to Canada for six months at a time for as many times as he or she wants. The multiple-entry visa may be valid for up to 10 years or one month prior to the expiration of your passport, whichever is sooner. You must arrive in Canada either on or before the date of your visa expiring.

You will be issued your visa at the Canadian Port-Of-Entry. When you arrive at a Canadian Port- Of-Entry, a Canada Border Service Agency officer will verify whether you meet the requirements to enter Canada. The Officer will inform you as to how long you may stay in the country. With a single-entry Temporary Resident Visa, the maximum length of stay permitted is generally six months. The Officer will inform you of the expiry date, which is the date by which you must leave Canada. This date will be stamped in your passport. If you have a study permit or a work permit, this expiry date will be stamped on these as well. In most cases, you will need a new visa to re-enter Canada if you leave the country prior to the expiry date on your single-entry visa. The exceptions to this are if you traveled directly to the U.S., or a U.S. territory, or St. Pierre or Miquelon. If your travels fall into one of these exceptions, you would not need a new visitor visa to return to Canada.

The Visa Officer has discretion as to whether you are issued a multiple entry visa or a single entry visa. Single entry visas may be issued in cases where:

  • The applicant is traveling to Canada for a one-time special event
  • The applicant is traveling from a country where there are applicable specific procedures or IRCC approved guidelines that will be observed
  • The applicant is fee-exemption eligible and has a limited purpose for traveling to Canada.

Canada Immigration Legal Help

If you are looking to travel to Canada and want to explore your visa options, the dedicated immigration attorneys at Nachman, Phulwani, Zimovcak Law Group, P.C. are here not only to answer all of your questions, but to also counsel you on your potential visa options. We are here to help. Contact us today.