Authorizations to Return to Canada

Foreign nationals who have been issued a deportation order will need to apply for an Authorization to Return to Canada with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (Immigration Canada). 

When determining if an Authorization to Return to Canada should be issued to a foreign national, an officer will examine:

• The length of time that has passed since the removal from Canada;
• The foreign national’s reasons for wanting to come to Canada;
• The circumstances that led to the removal of the foreign national from Canada;
• The likelihood of the foreign national repeating the same behaviour that led to their removal from Canada;
• The foreign national’s current situation, including their ties to their home country, their ties to Canada and the stability of their home country;
• The reasons why the foreign national did not leave Canada within the required 30 days (if applicable); and
• If requesting a temporary stay in Canada, the likelihood of the foreign national returning to their home country at the end of their stay. 

When is an Authorization to Return to Canada Not Required?

An Authorization to Return to Canada is not required if a foreign national was issued:

A departure order and:

• Left Canada within the required 30 days, and;
• Their departure was verified by an officer at the port of entry

If a foreign national was issued a departure order and did not leave Canada within the required 30 days, or did not have their departure verified by an officer at the port of entry, they will require an Authorization to Return to Canada. 

An exclusion order and:

• More than 12 months have passed since their departure from Canada, and;
• They hold a Certificate of Departure that has the date they left Canada.

If a foreign national was issued an exclusion order and less than 12 months have passed their departure, or if they do not have Certificate of Departure, they will need to apply for an Authorization to Return to Canada.