Removal Orders in Canada: Departure, Exclusion and Deportation Orders
· Harjeet Arora, RCIC-IRB
Canada uses three principal removal orders: a departure order, an exclusion order and a deportation order. They do not have the same consequences. The document issued, whether it became enforceable, and how the person left Canada can affect future return and whether an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC) is required.
Departure order
A departure order generally requires departure within 30 days after it becomes enforceable and confirmation of departure with CBSA. If those requirements are not met, the order can become a deportation order.
Exclusion order
An exclusion order generally prevents return for a prescribed period after enforcement. The period can be longer where the exclusion resulted from misrepresentation. Returning before the applicable period expires can require an ARC.
Deportation order
A deportation order has the most lasting consequence: return to Canada generally requires an ARC unless the legal circumstances change in a way that removes that requirement.
The exact document matters
A Direction to Leave Canada issued in certain port-of-entry circumstances is not the same thing as a removal order. Do not assume the legal consequence from the wording used in conversation; review the actual CBSA or IRB document.
Choosing the right removal-order guide
A departure, exclusion or deportation order has different consequences for confirming departure and returning to Canada. Review the written order, the date it became enforceable, any certificate of departure and any later CBSA decision. If CBSA has scheduled removal or issued an urgent reporting notice, see our Removal Orders & Deportation service page for the next steps to assess.
Returning after removal
See our Authorization to Return to Canada page for ARC considerations. For an active enforcement matter, see Removal Orders & Deportation. You may also want to read what happens after a CBSA Direction to Report.
General information only. Individual consequences depend on the order, status and enforcement history.