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

Withdrawing application

🍁 In Simple Terms

If you change your mind at the border and want to withdraw your application to enter Canada, the officer must generally let you leave. However, if a report about your admissibility has already been started or completed under subsection 44(1), you cannot simply walk away — the process continues regardless of your wish to withdraw.

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

(2)(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.

(3)(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)
Explore the Law
Browse all IRPA sections and IRPR regulations with plain-language summaries.
Explore the Law