Important Factors to Consider When Applying for an ARC

Considerations Before Applying for an ARC

When applying for an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC) application, you may become overwhelmed and concerned because of how much information and documentation is needed from you in order to successfully complete the application process. If you have been issued a removal order in the past and did not abide by the requirements of said removal order, you may be able to apply for Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC). It is extremely essential that, if you have had a removal order, you provide sufficient and accurate documentation to the Immigration officer that will be assessing your ARC application. In this article, I will address the important factors you need to consider before applying for an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC).

Eligibility for Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC)

First and foremost, in order to apply for an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC), you must first determine whether you are eligible to apply for one. An Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC) application is to be filled out by any foreign national that has not complied with the requirements of their removal order or if they were issued a deportation order. If a foreign national that has not abided by these requirements or was issued a deportation order attempts to cross the border without an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC), they will be denied entry at a Canadian port of entry or at a Canadian airport. In order to apply for an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC), you must fall under one of these categories:

• If you received a departure order and you have departed the country without verifying your departure or if more than a month has passed since your departure order was issued.
  – Your departure order will then automatically become a deportation order and you must apply for an ARC prior to entering Canada.
• If you received an exclusion order and you wish to enter Canada prior to the minimum one year since the exclusion order was issued and you have not verified your departure, then you will need to apply for an ARC.
• If you received a deportation order and you wish to enter Canada, you must always apply for an ARC prior to travelling to Canada.

Important Factors to Consider when Applying for an ARC

It is extremely important to note and consider why the removal order was issued to you in the first place. Also, consider if the circumstances for why you were issued a removal order have changed or if the circumstances remain the same. For instance, if you were issued a removal order due to working illegally in Canada, and you are currently unemployed and are unable to show sufficient and strong ties to your country of residence, then the Immigration officer will be very unlikely to approve your application. The Immigration officer may determine that you will not respect the terms and conditions of your visit to Canada.

Additionally, if you were issued a removal order due to criminal inadmissibility, there are more steps needed before you return to Canada. You will need to apply for a Criminal Rehabilitation or a Temporary Resident Permit first and then you may apply for an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC). It is essential that you apply with the appropriate application as if you do not, then you will be denied entry into Canada.

Keep in mind, if you are applying to return to Canada for a specific reason, such as visiting, working, studying or immigrating, then you do not need to apply for an ARC separately. If the visitor, work, or study visa becomes approved then the ARC will be considered within the context of that application. The only thing that needs to be done on the applicant’s part is paying the government fees for an ARC.

When the Immigration officer is reviewing and assessing your application, they will consider several factors. The factors include your current circumstance, the possibility of you repeating such behavior, the amount of time since the removal order was issued, the reasons for your re-entry into Canada, and most importantly, the reasons for your removal order in the first place. The Immigration officer will consider all of these factors in conjunction with each other and not isolated. However, illegible or incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant without being processed. Therefore, it is vital for your application for you to submit complete forms and documentation to prevent a returned application.

Important Documents to Include in your ARC Application

When applying for an ARC or any other visa in order to return to Canada, there are specific documents and requirements that you must abide by, for higher chances of a successful application. The required documentation is listed below.

For an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC) application, you must include:

• A Temporary Resident Visa application form
• 2 passport photos
• Copy of your passport
• An explanation letter of the reasons to return to Canada
• The processing fee

Please note that if any of the aforementioned documents are in any other language other than English or French, you must have them translated and certified prior to submitting them with your application. The reasoning behind this is because Immigration officers are only authorized to examine documents in Canada’s official languages.

Contact Akrami & Associates to Apply for an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC)

It is essential that you have taken all of the aforementioned requirements and documentation into consideration before you attempt to apply for an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC). Applications for an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC) are difficult applications to pursue on your own and it is highly recommended that you seek out professional and experienced help before attempting to submit the application. Here, at Akrami & Associates, we work and have experience with many different immigration issues. We have helped many of our clients gain entry into Canada after being issued a removal order. If you believe that you may be eligible for an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC), please feel free to contact Akrami & Associates at our office at 416-477-2545 for more information or if you would like to book a consultation with an immigration professional for more advise.

With Akrami & Associates, there is always a way!