Maple News reports that individuals who have been removed from Canada due to immigration violations may still have a path to return — but only under specific circumstances. The key tool enabling such a return is the Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC), a special authorization issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in select cases.
Before understanding ARCs, it’s important to understand the three types of removal orders issued by Canadian authorities: departure orders, exclusion orders, and deportation orders. Each represents a different level of seriousness and directly affects a person’s eligibility to re-enter Canada.
A departure order is the least severe. It requires an individual to leave Canada within 30 days, and to confirm their exit with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). If these conditions are met, future re-entry to Canada is possible without needing an ARC. However, if the individual fails to meet either requirement, the departure order automatically turns into a deportation order.
Exclusion orders are more restrictive. They typically bar individuals from returning to Canada for at least one year, and up to five years in cases involving misrepresentation. Furthermore, if the Canadian government paid for the removal of the individual, that cost must be reimbursed before re-entry is permitted.
Deportation orders are the most serious form of removal. Individuals issued a deportation order are permanently barred from re-entering Canada unless they successfully obtain an ARC. Similar to exclusion orders, repayment of any removal-related expenses paid by the CBSA is mandatory before an ARC can be considered.
The ARC effectively acts as a formal permission from the Canadian government for a previously removed individual to return. It is a required document only for those subject to a deportation order. People removed under departure or exclusion orders don’t generally need an ARC, provided they respected the terms of their exit and satisfy standard immigration entry requirements.
However, if a person’s departure order became a deportation order due to non-compliance, they would then be required to apply for and receive an ARC before returning to Canada. ARC applications are carefully scrutinized, and approval is not guaranteed. Factors such as the reason for removal, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of changed behavior play a significant role in decisions.
According to Maple News, the ARC represents not just a bureaucratic process, but a real opportunity for immigrants who have corrected past issues to rebuild their lives in Canada. It emphasizes Canada’s approach to fair immigration enforcement while leaving room for rehabilitation and second chances.