Toronto, Nov. 8 -- The 10-year tourist visas issued by Canada may not be the norm any more as the country's immigration department has announced new guidance that the length of the document's duration could be left to the immigration officer's discretion.

A notice posted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or IRCC on Wednesday said: "Guidance has been updated to indicate that multiple-entry visas issued to maximum validity are no longer considered to be the standard document. Officers may exercise their judgement in deciding whether to issue a single or multiple-entry visa, and in determining the validity period."

The guidelines stated that issuing officers could take into account factors like whether the applicant will be v...