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Last verified: June 2026 · Source: justice.gc.ca← Back to Law Explorer
IRPRPART 4 ProceduresDIVISION 3 Conduct of Examination
r.42

Withdrawing application

🍁 In Simple Terms

Change your mind at the border and you can normally walk away: the officer has to let you withdraw and leave. That exit closes once an officer has started or finished writing an inadmissibility report on you, unless the Minister decides not to pursue it. If you are allowed to withdraw, you still have to appear before an officer at the port of entry so your departure is confirmed.

Affects: Foreign nationals and permanent residents in Canada
Legal Text: IRPR Regulation 42
Exception — report

(2)If a report is being prepared or has been prepared under subsection 44(1) of the Act in respect of a foreign national who indicates that they want to withdraw their application to enter Canada, the officer shall not allow the foreign national to withdraw their application or leave Canada unless the Minister decides either not to make a removal order or not to refer the report to the Immigration Division for an admissibility hearing.

Obligation to confirm departure

(3)A foreign national who is allowed to withdraw their application to enter Canada must appear without delay before an officer at a port of entry to confirm their departure from Canada.

IRPA Authority
In Practice
Official Source: Justice Canada: IRPR r. 42 (authoritative, may differ from this display)
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