Skip to main content

Immigration and Refugee Protection Act

s. 19 Right of entry of citizens and Indians

  • PART 1: Immigration to Canada
  • DIVISION 3: Entering and Remaining in Canada
  • Admissibility

Last verified: June 2026 · Source: justice.gc.ca

The law says

IRPA s. 19
Verify on justice.gc.ca(opens in a new tab)

(1)Every Canadian citizen within the meaning of the Citizenship Act and every person registered as an Indian under the Indian Act has the right to enter and remain in Canada in accordance with this Act, and an officer shall allow the person to enter Canada if satisfied following an examination on their entry that the person is a citizen or registered Indian.

Right of entry of permanent residents

(2)An officer shall allow a permanent resident to enter Canada if satisfied following an examination on their entry that they have that status.

Justice Laws is the authoritative version. If this copy and it ever differ, Justice Laws wins.