AUTHORIZATION TO RETURN TO CANADA

An individual who was previously removed from Canada under a removal order and now wishes to return must apply for an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC). This is official permission from the Canadian government allowing individuals under a removal order to re-enter Canada legally. In certain instances, an ARC may not be required, depending on the specific type of removal order issued. The document provided to the individual before their departure from Canada indicates the type of removal order. It’s important to note that even if someone qualifies for an ARC, approval is not guaranteed; they must present a valid reason for re-entry.

Who Needs An Authorization?

The need for an authorization to return to Canada (ARC) depends on

The type of removal order we issued
If you complied with the requirements of the order

Note: If you were removed from Canada because you were accompanying a family member who was removed from Canada, you don’t need an ARC to enter Canada.

Types Of Removal Orders

There are 3 types of removal orders:

Departure Order (IMM 5238)
Exclusion Order (IMM 1214B)
Deportation Order (IMM 5238B)

Note: If you were issued a Direction to Leave Canada, then

You don’t need to apply for an ARC
You can return to Canada subject to normal examination at the port of entry

A Direction to Leave Canada (form IMM 1217B) is not a removal order. It’s issued when an officer is unable to examine you at a port of entry.

Before leaving Canada, you would have received one of the above removal order forms. Read the information about all the 3 removal orders to find out if you need an ARC or not.

Departure Order (IMM 5238)

You must leave Canada within 30 days of the order becoming enforceable (meaning that the departure order is not suspended).

Learn More

Exclusion Order (IMM 1214B)

You can’t return to Canada for 1 year after the order has been enforced.

Deportation Order (IMM 5238B)

You are permanently barred from returning to Canada and You Can’t return unless you apply for, and are issued, an ARC

Learn More

Departure Order (IMM 5238)

A departure order means you must leave Canada within 30 days of the order becoming enforceable (meaning that the departure order is not suspended).

If you received a departure order

You don’t need an ARC if both of these apply to your situation:
- You left Canada within the required 30 days.
- You have a Certificate of Departure showing the date you left Canada.
You can return to Canada subject to normal examination at the port of entry.
You need to apply for an ARC if 1 of these applies to your situation:
- You left Canada after the required 30 days.
- You didn’t notify a Canadian border services officer of your departure.

If a departure order is not enforced within 30 days of the day the order becomes enforceable, the departure order automatically becomes a deportation order.

Exclusion Order (IMM 1214B)

An exclusion order means you can’t return to Canada for 1 year after the order has been enforced.

If you received an exclusion order due to misrepresentation, you are prohibited from returning to Canada for 5 years from the date the order was enforced.

If you received an exclusion order

You don’t need an ARC if you have a Certificate of Departure showing the date you left Canada, and 1 of these applies to your situation:
- At least 1 year has passed since the exclusion order was enforced.
- At least 5 years have passed since the exclusion order for misrepresentation was enforced.
You can return to Canada subject to normal examination at the port of entry.
You need to apply for an ARC if 1 of these applies to your situation:
- You don’t have a Certificate of Departure.
- You want to return to Canada less than 1 year after the exclusion order was enforced.
- You want to return to Canada less than 5 years after the exclusion order for misrepresentation was enforced.

Deportation Order (IMM 5238B)

A deportation order means:

You are permanently barred from returning to Canada and
You Can’t return unless you apply for, and are issued, an ARC

If you were issued a removal order for criminal inadmissibility. You have to first resolve your criminal inadmissibility before starting the process of your application for an ARC.

If you’re not eligible or are unable to resolve your criminal inadmissibility at the moment, but you have a valid reason to travel to Canada temporarily, you must apply for

An ARC and
A consideration for a temporary resident permit

If you are deemed temporarily admissible, the ARC will be issued to you.
A temporary resident permit does not overcome your inadmissibility to Canada or your removal order.

Don’t let paperwork hold you back.

Our team is here to guide you through the process, ensuring your application is complete and meets all requirements.

BEFORE YOU APPLY

Before you apply for an authorization to return to Canada (ARC), assess

If your circumstances have changed
How much the ARC application will cost, if the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) paid for your removal

If your circumstances haven’t changed

If the circumstances that led to the removal order have not changed, it’s less likely that you’ll get permission to return to Canada.
When an officer assesses your application, they’ll consider some of the following factors:

The reasons for the removal order.
The possibility that you’ll repeat the behaviour that caused the order to be issued.
How long it’s been since the order was issued.
Your current situation.
The reason you want to enter Canada.

If the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) paid for your removal

If the CBSA paid to remove you from the country, you will have to pay both of the following before IRCC issue an ARC:

The application processing fees (CAN$459.55).
The amount CBSA paid to remove you (your removal costs).

Note: Processing fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome of your application. If IRCC denies your application and you choose to reapply, a new processing fee will be required.

Removal costs are

$899 if you were deported to the US or Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon
$1,799 if you were deported to any other location

If you are required to repay your removal costs, IRCC will inform you of the exact amount once your application is being processed. You will only need to repay these costs if your application is approved.

HOW TO APPLY

How you apply for an authorization to return to Canada (ARC) depends on whether

You are applying for temporary residence or permanent residence
You need a visa to enter Canada

01

Get Your Documents Ready

You must include the following documents when you submit your ARC application with or without a temporary or permanent residence application:
1. A letter (in English or French) explaining in detail the reasons you should be allowed to return to Canada

The letter must be typed or written in print using black ink.
If your departure order became a deportation order because you did not leave Canada within the required 30 days, explain why you did not leave.
If you send documents in a language other than English or French, you must include a certified translation.

2. Proof you paid the processing fee for the ARC (CAN$459.55)

02

Apply For An Authorization To Return To Canada

Steps to apply for an ARC if you’re in 1 of the following situations:

● You are applying for Temporary Residence
● You are applying for Permanent Residence

Applying for an ARC and Temporary Residence

Before you apply, check if you need a visa to travel to Canada. If you need a visa to travel to Canada, You can apply for an ARC at the same time as you do for temporary residence.

If you need a visa to travel to Canada. You must submit your temporary residence application, including the following documents.

A complete and validated application form
The required supporting documents for the temporary residence document (visitor visa, study permit or work permit) you are applying for.
Include the letter (in English or French) explaining the reasons you should be allowed to return to Canada
Pay the required fees

You can apply online or mail your application to the nearest visa application centre.

If IRCC determines that you’re eligible for temporary residence, then they will process your ARC application.

If you are applying for Temporary Residence, and If you need an electronic travel authorization to travel to Canada, follow the instructions below:
1. Apply for temporary residence

Apply online for
An electronic travel authorization (eTA)
A study permit or
A work permit

2. Submit the required documents for the ARC by mail

Once IRCC confirms that you are eligible for temporary residence, they will ask you to submit the required documents for your ARC application by mail to the nearest visa office.

Note: If you are visa and eTA-exempt, contact the nearest visa office before coming to Canada.

Applying for an ARC and Permanent Residence

You can apply for an ARC at the same time as you do for permanent residence. You must include the required documents for the ARC application in your application for permanent residence. For the list of documents read the section above “Get Your Documents Ready”.

AFTER YOU APPLY

IRCC will notify you in writing if:

You must go to an interview
They need other documents
They have made a final decision on your case

Note: IRCC will return any incomplete or illegible applications without processing them.

There’s no guarantee IRCC will issue you an ARC.

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