Being removed from Canada does not necessarily mean you are permanently barred from returning — but the type of removal order issued against you determines whether you can return freely, must wait before returning, or must obtain special permission to return. This guide explains the three types of removal orders under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and what each means for your future ability to enter Canada.
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Start Free ScreeningThe Three Types of Removal Orders
IRPA provides for three distinct types of removal orders, each with different conditions and consequences for future entry to Canada. The type of order issued depends on the grounds and circumstances of your removal.
1. Departure Order (IRPA s.224 / IRPR s.224)
A departure order requires you to leave Canada and confirm your departure with CBSA within 30 days of the order becoming enforceable. If you leave within that window and confirm departure, the departure order does not prevent you from applying to return to Canada in the future — you are treated as if you voluntarily left.
If you do not leave within 30 days or do not confirm departure with CBSA, a departure order automatically becomes a deportation order — the most serious type. This is a critical distinction many people miss.
2. Exclusion Order (IRPA / IRPR s.225)
An exclusion order bars you from returning to Canada for a set period after your removal. The standard bar is 1 year from the date you leave Canada. For exclusion orders related to misrepresentation, the bar is 5 years.
After the exclusion period ends, you may apply to return to Canada through normal immigration channels — you do not need an ARC (Authorization to Return to Canada) after a standard 1-year exclusion order, but you must check whether the grounds that led to your removal still apply. For the 5-year misrepresentation bar, you may need an ARC — consult an immigration lawyer.
3. Deportation Order (IRPA / IRPR s.226)
A deportation order is the most serious removal order and permanently bars you from returning to Canada without prior written authorization from the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. This authorization is called an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC).
A deportation order can be issued for serious criminality, security grounds, human rights violations, organized criminality, and other grounds. As noted above, a departure order that is not complied with also converts to a deportation order.
Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC)
If you are subject to a deportation order (or an exclusion order for misrepresentation), you cannot return to Canada without first obtaining an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC). Attempting to enter Canada without an ARC when you are subject to a deportation order is a serious criminal offence under IRPA.
How to Apply for an ARC
- 1Confirm you need an ARC: Verify the type of removal order in effect against you. If you are unsure, your removal documents or CBSA records will specify the order type. An ARC is required for deportation orders and some exclusion orders.
- 2Submit Form IMM 1203E: The ARC application is submitted using IRCC Form IMM 1203E. It includes a personal statement explaining the reasons for seeking return, the circumstances of your removal, and evidence of rehabilitation or changed circumstances.
- 3Pay the ARC fee: The ARC application fee is $400 CAD (verify current fee on the IRCC website before applying). There are no refunds if the application is refused.
- 4Include supporting documents: Supporting documents strengthen your ARC application significantly. Include evidence of rehabilitation, ties to Canada (family, employment), country conditions if applicable, and documentation of the steps you have taken since removal.
- 5Await processing: ARC processing times vary — they can take months to over a year. There is no guaranteed processing time. The ARC is assessed alongside any other immigration application you may submit (such as a visa or PR application).
What Makes a Strong ARC Application?
Officers assess ARC applications based on the totality of circumstances. The following factors generally strengthen an ARC application — this is a general framework, not a guarantee:
Time Since Removal
More time since the removal order, with demonstrated rehabilitation, weighs in your favour.
Reason for Return
Compelling reasons such as family reunification, medical needs, or Canadian-citizen children strengthen the application.
Rehabilitation Evidence
Completed rehabilitation programs, employment stability, community involvement, and letters of support.
Compliance History
Whether you complied with the removal order (left voluntarily) or were forcibly removed affects the assessment.
Grounds of Removal
The original grounds that led to your removal are weighed against your current circumstances and risk of recurrence.
Canadian Ties
Immediate family members who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents carry significant weight.
Professional advice recommended: ARC applications involve complex legal and procedural considerations. Because a refusal has serious consequences for future applications, consulting a licensed immigration lawyer or consultant before applying is strongly recommended. This guide explains the framework — not your specific case.
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How long are you barred from Canada after deportation?+
A deportation order permanently bars you from returning to Canada without an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC). There is no automatic time period after which the bar lifts — you must apply for and receive an ARC every time you wish to enter Canada if you are subject to a deportation order.
How long does an exclusion order bar you from Canada?+
A standard exclusion order bars you for 1 year from the date you leave Canada. An exclusion order for misrepresentation bars you for 5 years. After the exclusion period, you may apply to return through normal immigration channels, subject to current admissibility requirements.
What happens if I try to enter Canada with a deportation order and no ARC?+
Entering or attempting to enter Canada in violation of a deportation order is an offence under IRPA s.124. You can be detained, removed again, and criminally charged. The consequences are serious and will complicate any future immigration applications.
Can I apply for a TRP if I have a removal order?+
A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) can potentially be issued alongside an ARC in exceptional circumstances, but TRPs do not override a deportation order — you still need an ARC. These situations are complex and require professional legal advice.
What is the difference between removal and deportation in common usage?+
In everyday language, "deportation" often refers to any forced removal from Canada. In Canadian immigration law, "deportation order" is a specific legal term referring to one of three types of removal orders — the most serious type. The other two are departure orders and exclusion orders, each with different consequences.
Important: This guide is based on publicly available IRPA and IRPR provisions and general IRCC policy. Removal orders and ARC applications are complex legal matters — consult a licensed Canadian immigration lawyer before taking any action. Not legal advice.
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