Exclusion orders

Overview

Exclusion orders

An exclusion order generally prevents return for one year after confirmed departure, or five years when issued for misrepresentation. Returning before the period ends requires written Authorization to Return to Canada.

Read the ground and duration

The order and accompanying decision show whether the ordinary one-year period or the five-year misrepresentation period applies. The clock depends on verified departure.

Keep the certificate of departure and passport evidence.

Do not confuse time elapsed with admissibility

After the exclusion period, an ARC may no longer be needed if departure was properly confirmed, but the person must still qualify to enter. Criminality, misrepresentation bars or prior non-compliance can remain relevant.

A visa refusal can occur despite expiry of the order.

Request early return where justified

An ARC application should explain compelling reasons for return, the original conduct, compliance and why recurrence is unlikely. Employment convenience alone may carry limited weight.

Coordinate the request with the visa or permit application.

Verify old files

People who left without reporting may lack a recorded departure date, delaying the exclusion period. Airline, border and foreign-entry evidence can help establish what happened.

Obtain the CBSA record when the order type or status is uncertain.