How long does an exclusion order stop me from returning to Canada?
An exclusion order sits between a departure order and a deportation order in severity. It bars the person from returning to Canada for a set period, and that period can be longer where the exclusion order followed a misrepresentation finding rather than a more routine compliance issue. Within that period, returning is not simply a matter of showing up at the border; specific written authorization is generally required to come back before the bar has run its course.
Because the exact length of the bar depends on the type of exclusion order and the reason behind it, and because these periods are set by current regulations rather than fixed once and for all, anyone affected should confirm the specific period that applies to their order rather than relying on a general rule of thumb from someone else's case.
Even once the bar period has passed, returning to Canada still means meeting the ordinary admissibility and visa requirements that would apply to anyone in a similar situation — the exclusion order does not itself guarantee re-entry once the waiting period ends.
Key takeaways
- An exclusion order bars return for a set period that varies by the type of order involved.
- Misrepresentation-based exclusion orders generally carry a longer bar than other exclusion orders.
- Written authorization is generally needed to return before the applicable period has passed.
- Confirm the current, specific period that applies rather than assuming a general figure.