A multiple-entry visa is a common category of travel permit. It enables the bearer to make more than one trip to the issuing country.
This is in contrast to a single-entry visa, which only allows a single visit to the destination country and then becomes invalid.
Multiple-entry visas and travel authorizations are typically valid for a long period of time, allowing the holder to make multiple journeys without having to reapply for a new permit for each trip.
Multiple-Entry Visa Definition
Multiple-entry visas are a type of visa that allow the holder to enter the destination country more than once.
This means that the traveler can make multiple visits using the same visa during its validity period.
Some multiple-entry visas and travel authorizations allow a specific number of visits. For example, double-entry and triple-entry visas would be considered sub-types of multiple-entry visas. The Sri Lanka Tourist ETA is one example of a double-entry travel authorization.
In most cases, multiple-entry visas allow the holder to enter the country of issue an unlimited number of times until the expiry date. An example is the Australia ETA.
How Long Is a Multiple-Entry Visa Valid For?
Visa validity periods vary depending on the country of issue. In some cases, the traveler may also be able to choose between different validity lengths.
Multiple-entry visas and travel authorizations often have long periods of validity.
Some examples include:
- Canada eTA — valid for 5 years
- US ESTA — valid for 2 years
- Australia eVisitor visa and ETA — both valid for 1 year
In some case, it is possible to choose between a single-entry and a multiple-entry visa. One example is the Turkey e-Visa, which is valid for 180 days.
Although the period of validity is usually long for multiple-entry visas and travel authorizations, there is usually a limit to the length of time the holder can spend in the country each visit.
For example, the Canada eTA is valid for 5 years and the holder can visit as many times as they want. However, each stay can last for a maximum of 6 months.