ARC — Authorization to Return to Canada
Required permission for a foreign national who has previously been removed from Canada (under a deportation order, or in some cases exclusion order) to return. Discretionary, fact-specific, and requires demonstrating rehabilitation, compelling reasons, and that re-entry is in Canada's interest.
What is an ARC?
An Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC) is the formal permission a foreign national must obtain to return to Canada after being removed under a removal order. ARC is required:
- After a deportation order (lifetime requirement to obtain ARC for any future entry)
- After an exclusion order during the 1-year bar (or 5-year bar for misrepresentation cases)
- For some departure-order cases that became enforceable
When ARC is NOT required
- After a departure order that the applicant complied with — and the 30-day departure window was respected
- After expiry of the 1-year exclusion order bar (and the 5-year misrepresentation bar)
- For permanent residents — ARC doesn't apply; PRs have separate residence-obligation rules
- For Canadian citizens — they have the right to enter
How to apply for ARC
- Submit a written ARC request to IRCC with supporting evidence
- Pay the ARC processing fee (typically CAD 400)
- Wait for adjudication (processing times vary — typically 3-6 months)
- If approved, ARC is issued in writing; you can then apply for the actual visa or permit
What to include in the ARC request
Strong ARC submissions address:
- Reason for the original removal — circumstances, what was determined
- What has changed since removal — rehabilitation if criminal, time elapsed, change in personal situation
- Reason for returning to Canada — compelling personal, professional, or family ties
- Pattern of compliance since removal — no further immigration issues, taxes paid, etc.
- Significant benefit to Canada (if applicable for professional/business)
ARC + Underlying Inadmissibility
ARC alone doesn't resolve underlying inadmissibility. If you were removed for a criminal conviction (s.36) or medical inadmissibility (s.38), you typically need to also pursue rehabilitation (for criminality) or address the inadmissibility ground before applying for a visa.
Halani's note
ARC applications are highly fact-specific and discretionary. We assess each ARC case individually — some are straightforward (compliance with prior removal + minor original infraction), some require parallel rehabilitation applications. Time + circumstances since removal materially affect the success probability.
Not sure how ARC applies to your file?
Halani Immigration Services Inc. — Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC-IRB R711322). Free eligibility assessment, no obligation.
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