- A Temporary Resident Visa, often called a visitor visa, is the document visa-required foreign nationals need to travel to a Canadian port of entry as visitors.
- As a matter of general practice, IRCC issues multiple-entry visas to most approved visitor visa applicants by default — even to applicants who only mentioned a single trip in their…
If you're a visa-required national planning a trip to Canada, you'll eventually run into a distinction that trips up a lot of applicants: the difference between a multiple-entry visitor visa and a single-entry one. It sounds like a minor technical detail, but it can matter a great deal if your travel plans involve leaving Canada and coming back — say, for a side trip to the United States.
This article breaks down what each visa type actually allows, why one is far more common than the other, and how to check which one you've been issued before you rely on it.
What a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) Actually Is
A Temporary Resident Visa, often called a visitor visa, is the document visa-required foreign nationals need to travel to a Canadian port of entry as visitors. It's issued as a sticker (a "counterfoil") placed in your passport and carries a government fee — currently $100 CAD per person, capped at $500 CAD for a family of five or more, as of mid-2026; verify the current amount before you apply, since fees change.
Holding a valid TRV isn't a guarantee of admission. A border services officer still decides, at the actual port of entry, whether to let you into Canada and for how long. The visa gets you to that decision point — it doesn't make the decision for you.
Multiple-Entry vs. Single-Entry, Side by Side
| Feature | Multiple-Entry Visa | Single-Entry Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Number of trips allowed | As many entries as you like while the visa remains valid | One entry only |
| After you leave Canada | You can leave and return repeatedly within the visa's validity period | The visa generally can't be used again once you've left Canada |
| Who typically receives it | Most approved visitor visa applicants, as a matter of general practice | Applicants IRCC decides to limit for a specific, case-by-case reason |
| Validity period | Set by IRCC, generally tied to your passport's remaining validity or a maximum IRCC applies, whichever is shorter | Same general framework, but only usable for a single trip |
| How to identify it | Printed directly on the visa sticker in your passport | Printed directly on the visa sticker in your passport |
Why IRCC Usually Issues Multiple-Entry Visas
As a matter of general practice, IRCC issues multiple-entry visas to most approved visitor visa applicants by default — even to applicants who only mentioned a single trip in their application — unless there's a specific reason to limit the visa to one entry. This practice can change, so it's worth confirming current IRCC guidance if the distinction matters to your plans.
Reasons a file might instead result in a single-entry visa are case-specific and vary, but the point to remember is this: you generally can't simply request one type over the other. The type of visa you receive is IRCC's decision, made based on the whole of your application file.
What This Means for Your Travel Plans
- Multiple-entry lets you leave and return without reapplying — useful if your trip includes stops in another country and a return to Canada.
- Single-entry means that once you exit Canada, the visa is generally no longer usable for re-entry, and a fresh application (with a new fee) is typically required before you can return by air.
- Assuming you have a multiple-entry visa when you actually don't can derail a trip that depends on leaving and re-entering Canada partway through.
How to Check Which Type of Visa You Hold
- Locate the visa sticker (counterfoil) in your passport.
- Look for the printed field indicating "Multiple" or "Single" entry.
- Check the expiry date printed alongside it — it may not match your passport's own expiry date.
- If the visa is unclear, damaged, or you're simply unsure, verify through your IRCC online account or by contacting IRCC directly before booking travel that involves leaving and re-entering Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ask IRCC for a multiple-entry visa instead of a single-entry one?
You can mention your travel plans in your application, but the type of visa you receive is IRCC's decision based on your overall file. There's no guaranteed way to request one type over the other.
If I have a single-entry visa and need to leave Canada temporarily, what happens?
Generally, once you leave Canada, a single-entry visa is no longer valid for re-entry, and you'd need to apply for a new visa — and pay the fee again — before returning by air, unless a specific exception applies to your circumstances.
Does a multiple-entry visa let me stay in Canada longer on each visit?
No. It only affects how many separate trips you can make while the visa is valid — it doesn't extend how long you're authorized to stay on any single visit. That period is set by the border officer at each entry, independently of your visa type.
Do multiple-entry visas ever expire before my passport does?
Yes. IRCC has discretion to issue a visa with a shorter validity period than your passport's remaining validity, depending on your circumstances. Always check the expiry date printed on the visa itself rather than assuming it matches your passport.
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