Last Updated On 21 July 2024, 11:41 AM EDT (Toronto Time)

Recently, multiple visitors from India reported that the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) was denying entry to Canada at Montreal airport even after having a valid visa.

Similar reports were also reported in previous months, with visitors from India and Nigeria saying that they are having a hard time at airports with CBSA’s increased scrutiny.

Additionally, it was also be reported CBSA has been repeatedly asking such to apply for a refugee case at the airport or else they will have to go back to their home country.

We raised this concern in one of our news articles on July 10, after which CBSA spokesperson Luke Reimer reached out via email to us with a clarification.

As we mentioned in our report, Luke, on behalf of CBSA, did mention that a visa is not a guarantee of entry to Canada.

Furthermore, he added that if someone previously entered Canada on a visa, the subsequent visit on a valid visa is also not a guarantee of re-entry to Canada.

Clarification From CBSA

Below is the full clarification as shared by the CBSA spokesperson via email regarding the ongoing concerns of visitors.

Good afternoon, Gagandeep.

I read your post, CBSA Turning Back Indian And Nigerian Visitors At Airports, and would like to clarify a few points:

Having obtained a visitor visa or having been previously authorized to enter Canada does not guarantee the right to enter Canada.

On arrival at a Canadian port of entry, all travellers must demonstrate that they meet the requirements to enter.

Only certain people enter Canada by right, as described in Section 19 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) does not direct travellers to make refugee claims.

Should a traveller seek to make a refugee claim upon arrival in Canada, the CBSA will determine whether or not the claim is eligible under the Additional Protocol of the Safe Third Country Agreement and the IRPA.

If eligible, the person’s file will be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) for consideration and the person will be authorized to enter Canada to pursue their claim for protection.

If ineligible, they may be removed from Canada.

The CBSA’s role at ports of entry is to assess the admissibility of persons coming to Canada.

All persons, including Canadian citizens, seeking entry to Canada must present to the CBSA and may be subject to a more in-depth exam.

Admissibility of all travelers is decided on a case-by-case basis and based on the information made available at the time of entry.

Officers are trained in interview, examination, and investigative techniques.

They use proven indicators, advance information, intelligence, innovative technology, and information-sharing to carry out their mandate.

The CBSA does not provide comment or details on specific individual cases as an individual’s border and immigration information is considered private and protected by the Privacy Act.

However, anyone wishing to provide feedback on our services is invited to do so using the feedback form on our website: Contact us – Feedback (cbsa-asfc.gc.ca).

Thank you kindly,

Luke Reimer, Spokesperson/Porte-parole, Canada Border Services Agency/Agence des services frontaliers du Canada, Government of Canada/Gouvernement du Canada

We (INC News) hope that the above clarification will help upcoming visitors understand the role of CBSA.

Visitors should be able to present the information aligning with the purpose of visit initially mentioned in their visa application.

Click here to check out the list of documents that visitors and international students must be able to provide at the airport.

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Gagandeep Kaur Sekhon

Gagandeep Kaur Sekhon moved to Canada in 2010 on a study visa. She navigated through the ups and downs of her student life and gained her permanent residency in 2015. Today, she is a proud Canadian citizen residing in Calgary, Alberta. She is mother of 2 beautiful daughters and making her difference through writing and guidance at INC – Immigration News Canada.