In February 2014, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (now Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) announced that they would be introducing multiple-entry visas and reducing the visa application fee by $50 for international students studying in Canada. Prior to this, international students were required to reapply and pay for visas each time they wished to leave or enter the country. This lengthy and costly process made it more difficult for students to visit their families back home. Under the new rules, international students are issued a multi-year study permit for $150 and, in most cases, do not have to reapply for the duration of their studies.