Frequently asked questions:
Visiting Canada

What is the difference between a single-entry visa and a multiple-entry visa?

There are two types of Temporary Resident Visa: a single-entry visa and a multiple-entry visa. Temporary Resident Visas are valid for a fixed period, whether they are a single-entry visa or a multiple-entry visa. You cannot use a visa after its expiry date.

Single-entry visa

A single-entry visa allows you to enter Canada once.

When you arrive at the point of entry in Canada, an officer of the Canada Border Services Agency will make sure you meet the requirements to enter Canada. The officer will tell you how long you can stay in Canada. Six months is the longest period of time you can stay in Canada under a single-entry Temporary Resident Visa.

The expiry date—the date by which you must leave Canada—will be stamped in your passport. If you have a study permit or a work permit, the same expiry date will be stamped on the permit as well.

If you leave Canada before the expiry date on your single-entry visa, you must get a new visa to re-enter Canada.

There are only two places outside Canada that you are allowed to visit before the expiry date of your single-entry visa and still return to Canada without getting a new visa. You can visit the United States and Saint-Pierre et Miquelon before the expiry date of your single-entry visa, and then return to Canada without getting a new visa.

Multiple-entry visa

A multiple-entry visa allows you to enter Canada several times during the period while your visa is valid. A multiple-entry visa is usually valid for a longer period than a single-entry visa.

Your multiple-entry visa will state the number of times you can enter Canada. You must arrive in Canada on or before the expiry date on your visa. You cannot get a multiple-entry visa for a period that ends after the expiry date of your passport. If your passport will expire soon, you should renew it before you apply for your visa.

If you want to visit several other countries or return to your own country before coming back to Canada, you will need a multiple-entry visa. If you plan to visit Canada frequently, a multiple-entry visa is recommended.