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Last verified: June 2026 · Source: justice.gc.ca← Back to IRPA ExplorerLast verified: June 2026 · Source: justice.gc.ca
PART 1: Immigration to CanadaDIVISION 3: Entering and Remaining in Canada
§18

Examination by officer

Examination by officer

Admissibility
🍁 In Simple Terms

Everyone arriving in Canada has to be examined, and that includes travellers who never leave the transit area of an airport. Even where the rules would let you skip the examination, an officer can still pull you in for one.

Affects: Immigration applicants (economic, family, humanitarian)
Legal Text: IRPA Section 18

(1)Subject to the regulations, every person seeking to enter Canada must appear for an examination to determine whether that person has a right to enter Canada or is or may become authorized to enter and remain in Canada.

Powers of officer

(3)Even though a person seeking to enter Canada is not, in accordance with regulations made under subsection 26(2), required to appear for an examination, an officer may require the person to do so.

Cross-References
Amendment History (2)
2001, c. 27, s. 18
2017, c. 11, s. 5
In Practice
Official Source: Justice Canada: IRPA s. 18 (authoritative, may differ from this display)
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