You may need an Authorization to Return to Canada
(ARC) if you were ever received a removal order.
Published by Paragon Legal on 20th September,
2021
Canada can order non-citizens to leave the country by
issuing removal orders. Some of the reasons for such orders can include
criminal conduct and violation of Canadian immigration laws. If you’ve been subject to a removal order,
you may need an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC) to come back. You can contact an immigration
professional to assist with applications and for more information.
Whether or not you require an ARC depends on several
things. The most important are: what type of removal order you received, and if
and when you complied with it. In any case, you must meet all other admissibility requirements.
There
are actually three different kinds of removal orders. From least to most severe
they are:
1. Departure Order
This
is an order that you leave Canada by a certain deadline. It does not limit if
or when you can return. If you comply with the removal order within the time
period and verify your departure with a Canadian immigration officer upon
leaving, then you do not need an ARC. But, if you leave Canada after 30 days or
without confirming your departure, the departure order turns into a deportation
order. This means it becomes more severe. In that case, you need an ARC.
2. Exclusion Order
This
is an order that you leave Canada and that you stay away for at least twelve
months afterwards. If you comply with the Exclusion Order within the deadline
it sets and confirm your departure with Canadian authorities, you receive a
Certificate of Departure. If you receive a Certificate of Departure and twelve
months have passed since, you do not need an ARC. If you do not receive a
Certificate of Departure or less than twelve months have passed, you need an
ARC.
3. Deportation Order
If
you received any deportation order, you are theoretically banned from Canada
for life. This means you must get an ARC, no matter how you left and how much
time has passed since.
If you need to speak with an immigration
specialist who can assist in deportation or removal orders, you can speak with someone at Paragon Legal Services today for
more information and assistance.
If you need an ARC, you should not apply separately for
it. Instead, you should deal with this matter in your general application to
come to Canada. You cannot obtain an ARC at a Canadian border or from inside
Canada, so you must apply before travelling.
If you need an ARC, you must pay a $400 CAD processing
fee. You must also include a letter explaining why Canada should grant you an
ARC. This document must be in English or French and typed—or written in block
letters in black pen. If you did not leave by your deadline or report your
departure, you should explain why. A qualified legal professional on immigration can assist with these deadlines and
explanations.
The government may request you attend an interview or
provide more documents, it will advise you in writing. Canada decides ARCs
using several factors. These include:
·
why the removal order was issued;
·
the likelihood of you repeating the conduct
that caused Canada to issue to issue the removal order;
·
how long has passed since the conduct,
removal order, or when you left Canada; and your conduct since leaving Canada.
The
reason you want to return to Canada. In general, the more pressing the reason (work or family commitments over vacation) the greater likelihood
one has of receiving an ARC.
Immigration officers have considerable discretion in ARC
decisions. There is no guarantee you will receive one. ARCs can also take a
long time to process, and there is no set time-frame. You should therefore
present a well-organized, thorough, and convincing argument.
For more information regarding legal services for
immigration, contact a
qualified legal professional at Paragon Legal Services today.
