Maple News reports that individuals who have been issued a removal order from Canada may still have a path back—although it comes with several conditions and requirements.
Canada issues three types of removal orders to non-citizens: Departure Orders, Exclusion Orders, and Deportation Orders. Understanding the differences among them is crucial, as they determine whether you’ll need an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC) to re-enter the country.
A Departure Order is the least severe. If you comply with it within 30 days and confirm your departure with Canadian authorities, you can typically return without needing an ARC. However, failing to meet these conditions escalates the order to a Deportation Order.
An Exclusion Order bars you from re-entering Canada for at least 12 months. If you followed the order’s conditions, received a Certificate of Departure, and waited the full year, an ARC is not necessary. Without these, an ARC will be required.
A Deportation Order is the most serious, resulting in a lifetime ban unless an ARC is granted. Anyone who has received a Deportation Order must apply for an ARC before being allowed to return to Canada, regardless of how much time has passed.
To apply for an ARC, you must include the request with your general application to return to Canada, such as a work or visitor visa. Standalone ARC applications are not accepted, and ARCs cannot be obtained at the border or inside Canada. The application includes a $400 CAD processing fee and a written explanation—typed or legibly handwritten in black ink—justifying your return. Supporting documents not in English or French must be submitted with certified translations.
Decisions on ARC applications are at the full discretion of immigration officers. Several factors influence their decisions, including the reasons for your initial removal, how much time has passed since you left, whether you are likely to repeat the offense, and how you have conducted yourself since. The reason for returning also plays an important role—work or family obligations may be viewed more favorably than a vacation.
Processing times can vary significantly, with no guaranteed timeline. Hence, applicants are advised to prepare a thorough, clear, and well-supported application to improve the chances of success.
Navigating re-entry into Canada after a removal can be complex, but for many, an ARC offers a second chance—provided the process is approached with transparency and care.