If you have been the subject of a removal order from Canada, you will probably need an Authorization to Return
to Canada (ARC) if you want to return. Whether you need one depends on the type of removal order that was
issued.
Types of Removal Orders
There are three types of removal orders. Look at the document you received before you left Canada. The form
number will tell you the type of removal order.
Departure Order (form number IMM 5238)
If you received a Departure Order and
left Canada within the required 30 days and
verified your departure with a Canadian immigration officer at the port of exit
You do not need an ARC. You may return to Canada subject to normal examination at the port of entry.
If you left the country without verifying your departure, or more than 30 days after the Departure Order was
issued, the Departure Order automatically becomes a Deportation Order and you need to apply for an ARC.
Exclusion Order (form number IMM 1214B)
If you were issued an Exclusion Order and
12 months (5 years in case of exclusion order for misrepresentation) have passed since you left Canada and
you have a Certificate of Departure (IMM 0056B) showing the date you left Canada
You do not need an ARC. You may return to Canada subject to normal examination at the port of entry.
If you wish to return to Canada less than 12 months (5 years in case of exclusion order for misrepresentation)
after the Exclusion Order was issued, or do not have a Certificate of Departure, you need to apply for an ARC.
Exception
If you were issued an exclusion order on the basis of inadmissibility because of being an accompanying family
member of an inadmissible person, you are exempt from the requirement to obtain an authorization in order to
return to Canada.
Deportation Order (form number IMM 5238B)
If you have been the subject of a Deportation Order or if you were removed from Canada based on a Security
Certificate which was determined to be reasonable by the Federal Court, you will need to apply for an ARC.
Exception
If you were issued a deportation Order on the basis of inadmissibility because of being an accompanying family
member of an inadmissible person, you are exempt from the requirement to obtain an authorization in order to
return to Canada.
Direction to Leave Canada (form number IMM 1217B)
Direction to Leave Canada is not a removal order. If you have been the subject of a Direction to Leave Canada,
you do not need to apply for an ARC. You may return to Canada subject to normal examination at the port of
entry.
Evaluation of an ARC Application
When an officer assesses your application, they will consider, among other things:
The reasons for the removal order
The possibility that you will repeat the behaviour that caused the order to be issued
The length of time since the order was issued
Your current situation
The reason why you want to enter Canada.
How to Apply
In most cases an ARC is associated with another application and will be processed and reviewed in the context of
that application. For example, if you require a visa to visit, study, or work in Canada, you should not submit a
separate application for an ARC. If your application for visa is approved, the ARC will be dealt within the
context of that application. You will simply be asked to submit the fee.
The only situation in which this would not be the case is if you are from a visa-exempt country and require an
ARC to re-enter Canada. In this scenario, an ARC application can be submitted on its own.
In both case, as part of the application,
You must submit a written letter (in English or French) explaining, in detail, the reasons you feel you
should be allowed to return to Canada. The letter must be written in block letters in black ink or typed.
If your departure order became a deportation order because you did not leave Canada within 30 days of the
date the departure order was issued, you must explain the reasons you did not leave Canada in the allotted
amount of time.
If you send documents in a language other than English or French, you must include a certified
translation.
After You Apply
If you are required to re-pay any costs related to your removal from Canada, you will be told the amount when
your application is being processed.
If you must attend an interview or if additional documents are required, you will be notified in writing. You
will also be notified in writing of the final decision in your case.
NEED HELP?
Get in Touch for more information or for applying for an ARC.
If you have been the subject of a removal order from Canada, you will probably need an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC) if you want to return. Whether you need one depends on the type of removal order that was issued.
Types of Removal Orders
There are three types of removal orders. Look at the document you received before you left Canada. The form number will tell you the type of removal order.
Departure Order (form number IMM 5238)
If you received a Departure Order and
You do not need an ARC. You may return to Canada subject to normal examination at the port of entry.
If you left the country without verifying your departure, or more than 30 days after the Departure Order was issued, the Departure Order automatically becomes a Deportation Order and you need to apply for an ARC.
Exclusion Order (form number IMM 1214B)
If you were issued an Exclusion Order and
You do not need an ARC. You may return to Canada subject to normal examination at the port of entry.
If you wish to return to Canada less than 12 months (5 years in case of exclusion order for misrepresentation) after the Exclusion Order was issued, or do not have a Certificate of Departure, you need to apply for an ARC.
Exception
If you were issued an exclusion order on the basis of inadmissibility because of being an accompanying family member of an inadmissible person, you are exempt from the requirement to obtain an authorization in order to return to Canada.
Deportation Order (form number IMM 5238B)
If you have been the subject of a Deportation Order or if you were removed from Canada based on a Security Certificate which was determined to be reasonable by the Federal Court, you will need to apply for an ARC.
Exception
If you were issued a deportation Order on the basis of inadmissibility because of being an accompanying family member of an inadmissible person, you are exempt from the requirement to obtain an authorization in order to return to Canada.
Direction to Leave Canada (form number IMM 1217B)
Direction to Leave Canada is not a removal order. If you have been the subject of a Direction to Leave Canada, you do not need to apply for an ARC. You may return to Canada subject to normal examination at the port of entry.
Evaluation of an ARC Application
When an officer assesses your application, they will consider, among other things:
How to Apply
In most cases an ARC is associated with another application and will be processed and reviewed in the context of that application. For example, if you require a visa to visit, study, or work in Canada, you should not submit a separate application for an ARC. If your application for visa is approved, the ARC will be dealt within the context of that application. You will simply be asked to submit the fee.
The only situation in which this would not be the case is if you are from a visa-exempt country and require an ARC to re-enter Canada. In this scenario, an ARC application can be submitted on its own.
In both case, as part of the application,
After You Apply
If you are required to re-pay any costs related to your removal from Canada, you will be told the amount when your application is being processed.
If you must attend an interview or if additional documents are required, you will be notified in writing. You will also be notified in writing of the final decision in your case.
NEED HELP?
Get in Touch for more information or for applying for an ARC.