Do you need an ARC?
- Deportation order: yes, permanently.
- Exclusion order: yes, if you want to return within one year after removal, or five years if the order was for misrepresentation. If removal costs were paid by the government, they may need to be repaid.
- Departure order: no, if you left within the time allowed and confirmed your departure with the CBSA. If you did not, the order becomes a deportation order and an ARC is required.
An ARC deals only with the removal. If you are also inadmissible for another reason, such as criminality, that needs its own remedy, such as a TRP or rehabilitation.
What the officer considers
- the circumstances that led to the removal order;
- whether there is a risk of a repeat violation;
- how much time has passed and what you have done since;
- your reasons for returning, such as family, a spousal sponsorship, or business; and
- whether you repaid any removal costs.
Applying with another application
An ARC is often requested together with a visa, work permit or spousal sponsorship application. That way both are assessed together. We prepare the ARC submission so it explains the past honestly and shows why returning now is justified.
Last reviewed November 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Immigration law and IRB procedure change often; we confirm the current rules for your file at your consultation.