Authorization to Return (ARC)

If you have been the subject of a removal order from Canada, you will probably need an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC) if you want to return. Whether you need one depends on the type of removal order that was issued.
A. Types of removal orders
There are three types of removal orders. You can find the form number to determine the type of removal order in the document you received from IRCC before you left Canada

1. Departure Order (form number IMM 5238)
If you received a Departure Order and
• left Canada within the required 30 days and
• verified your departure with a Canadian immigration officer at the port of exit you do not need an ARC. You may return to Canada subject to normal examination at the port of entry.
If you left the country without verifying your departure, or more than 30 days after the Departure Order was issued, the Departure Order automatically becomes a Deportation Order and you need to apply for an ARC.

2. Exclusion Order (form number IMM 1214B)
If you were issued an Exclusion Order and
• 12 months have passed since you left Canada and
• you have a Certificate of Departure (IMM 0056B) showing the date you left Canada
you do not need an ARC. You may return to Canada subject to normal examination at the port of entry.
If you wish to return to Canada less than 12 months after the Exclusion Order was issued, or do not have a Certificate of Departure, you need to apply for an ARC.

3. Deportation Order (form number IMM 5238B)
If you have been the subject of a Deportation Order you will need to apply for an ARC.

Note: A Direction to Leave Canada (form number IMM 1217B) is not a removal order.

If you have been the subject of a Direction to Leave Canada, you do not need to apply for an ARC. You may return to Canada subject to normal examination at the port of entry.

B. Before you apply
If you were deported because of criminal inadmissibility, you will need to apply for criminal rehabilitation first. You may also need a Temporary Resident Permit to be allowed into Canada.
If the Government of Canada spent money to remove you from the country, you will have to repay
any costs before an ARC will be issued. If this is the case you will be advised once your application
is in process.

C. How to apply
If you are applying for a visa or permit to come to Canada you must include all of the required documents with your application, including:
• a Temporary Resident Visa application form.
• two passport size photographs taken within the last six months.
• a copy of your passport.
• a written letter (in English or French) explaining, in detail, the reasons you feel you should be allowed to return to Canada. The letter must be written in block letters in black ink or typed.
• the processing fee ($400 CAD).
Note: If you are from a visa-exempt country and require an ARC to re-enter Canada, you must submit these documents by mail to the visa office responsible for your region.

If your departure order became a deportation order because you did not leave Canada within 30 days of the date the departure order was issued, you must explain the reasons you did not leave Canada in the allotted amount of time.

Important information When an officer assesses your application, they will consider, among other things:
• the reasons for the removal order
• the possibility that you will repeat the behaviour that caused the order to be issued
• the length of time since the order was issued
• your current situation
• the reason why you want to enter Canada