What is CBSA?

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is the federal agency responsible for customs, border services, and immigration enforcement. Created in 2003 by splitting these functions from the former Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.

What CBSA does

In the immigration context, CBSA's responsibilities include:

• Port-of-entry decisions — determining admissibility of travellers arriving in Canada
• Inland enforcement — investigating immigration violations, conducting removal-order proceedings
• Detention and removal — operating immigration detention facilities, executing removal orders
• Liaison Officer (LO) network — overseas migration-integrity work at Canadian visa offices
• Customs and tariff enforcement — non-immigration trade and border functions

CBSA vs IRCC — the key distinction

• IRCC processes applications, makes admissibility determinations on visa applications, issues PR documents
• CBSA enforces at the border, conducts inland investigations, manages detention and removals

For most applicants, the only CBSA contact is at the port of entry when you arrive in Canada with your visa or PR documents.

Port of entry concerns

CBSA officers at ports of entry have authority to:

• Refuse entry to anyone (including PRs in limited circumstances)
• Issue exclusion orders, deportation orders, or departure orders
• Issue temporary resident permits (TRPs) for limited-purpose entry despite inadmissibility
• Refer suspect cases to a secondary inspection examination

If CBSA is investigating you

Inland CBSA enforcement can involve:

• Section 44 reports alleging inadmissibility (lead to ID hearings)
• Removal-order proceedings
• Detention reviews (every 7, 30, then 30 days)
• Conditions imposed on your release

Get representation immediately if CBSA is investigating you or has issued any enforcement document. Halani's RCIC-IRB licensing covers ID detention and admissibility proceedings.