Authority to Return

Authority to Return Canada: With Professional, Legal Guidance, Your Path Back Starts Here

If you’ve been removed or deported from Canada, you may still be able to return to the country․ GBWS is here to assist you every step of the way. Whether you want to be reunited with family, further your education, or return to work, you can apply to return through the Authority to Return (ATR)․

What is the Authority to Return Canada?

An ATR is an official, proven letter of permission from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that enables individuals to return to Canada lawfully․ATR is not a mechanical exercise․

The ATR is a formal process with IRCC, verifying your changed circumstances, and that you pose no active threat and have a good reason for returning to Canada․ For instance, arriving in Canada after a removal order has been issued will result in an automatic refusal of entry and penalties․

Think of the ATR process as a reset button․ It is your way of showing Canadian decision-makers that you are fully committed to complying with Canada’s immigration laws and that your return is for a valid reason․ This process is the official way back to Canada for former visitors, workers, and students․

GBWS’s Authority to Return (ATR) Canada services make the return process simple, professional, and stress-free, so you can plan your return with confidence.

When You Need an Authority to Return to Canada

You must apply for an Authority to Return Canada if you:

Have been served a Deportation Order by the Canadian immigration authorities
Have failed to leave Canada within the required time period as stipulated in a Departure Order
Have failed to confirm your departure with the immigration authorities upon leaving Canada
Would like to return before the expiry of the Exclusion Order period
Do not possess a valid Certificate of Departure
Have been removed from Canada due to criminal inadmissibility or misrepresentation
Have failed to comply with the conditions of your visa, study permit, or work permit

At GBWS, we assess your entire immigration history to ascertain if you require an ATR before proceeding with your application.

Global Backgrounds Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: First Consultation

We review your history of removal orders and immigration history to establish whether an ARC is necessary.

Step 2: Consolidate Applications.

ARC applications go together with visitor visas, study permits, work permits, or permanent residence applications.

Step 3: Document & Explanatory Letter.

A strong personal letter is prepared, and all the supporting papers are assembled to be offered during your application.

Step 4: Fee payment and Submission.

We make sure that the fee of CAD 400 is properly paid, and any CBSA removal fees are paid and submitted.

Step 5: IRCC Communication

We also respond to queries in addition to all the visa office correspondence, and we also ensure that you are informed at all times.

Step 6: Decision & Next Steps

On acceptance, we help in issuing the visa; in the case of rejection, we counsel on how to rock your second attempt.

Documents Required for Authority to Return Canada

The list of documents needed for your ATR application may differ depending on your case, but generally, the following documents are needed for an ATR Canada application:

Proof of departure from Canada
Completed and signed the ATR application form
Copy of your valid passport or travel document
Copy of your original removal or deportation order
Documentation of rehabilitation or changed circumstances
Previous Canadian immigration documents, if applicable
Documentation to support your reason for returning to Canada
Personal letter describing the circumstances of your removal and your reasons for wanting to return to Canada
Police certificates from all countries where you have lived for six or more months in the last ten years

Our experts will give you a customized list of documents needed for your case after evaluating your application.

Why should GBWS be your choice in your application to ATR Canada?

The success of your application can be due to the right choice of the team.

We have successfully processed ATR applications for a broad spectrum of removal and deportation cases, including misrepresentation cases, for clients from all over the world.

We give you a fair assessment of your case from the very start – no misleading information, no raising hopes unnecessarily, but simply honest advice you can trust.

Your immigration history, private documents, and circumstances are treated with utmost confidentiality and protected at all stages of the process.

We never resort to a generic strategy. Every application is tailored to your personal history, circumstances, and objectives.

Our applications are comprehensive, well-documented, and carefully prepared to address precisely what IRCC requires to be satisfied for a successful outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Do You mean by Authority to Return to Canada?

An Authority to Return (ATR) is a written authorization granted by IRCC to enable a former deported, removed, or excluded person to be legally allowed in Canada. It is also necessary before the application of visa or entry in case you are under a removal order.

Do I need an ATR if I left Canada voluntarily?

It depends on what kind of order you were issued. When you were issued a departure order and departed within the allotted time, and duly verified your departure with CBSA, then there is no necessity of having an ATR. But in case your departure order was changed to a deportation order or you were issued with an exclusion or deportation order, you will require an ATR to make a re-entry.

What is the procedure for applying to an Authority to Return to Canada?

In order to apply to ATR, you should have a written request to IRCC and supporting documentation explaining your situation and why you intend to go back. You need to attach a personal letter, copies of your removal order, identification documents, and supporting evidence to the application. With the help of an experienced immigration consultant, the quality and success rate of your submission are much higher.

How long does the ATR application process take?

The length of time that the application process will take depends on the complexity of your situation. If you have a straightforward case, it may be finalized in a few weeks, but if you have a deportation order, previous misrepresentation, or criminal inadmissibility, it may take much longer. The best way to ensure that your application is processed quickly is to make a complete and thorough application from the start.

Can I return to Canada after a Canadian immigration refusal?

While a visa refusal by itself does not necessarily require an ATR, it depends on whether or not you also have a removal order. If you have received a refusal and have not been formally removed, you can apply again. However, if you have a deportation or exclusion order, you must first deal with that through the ATR process.

Can I travel to Canada while my ATR application is pending?

No, you cannot. You must wait until your ATR is approved before attempting to enter Canada. Otherwise, you could put your entire case at risk and face further enforcement action.