IMMIGRTION NEWS
October 2026
CBSA Ends Pause on Deportations to Four Gulf States
Removals to Resume After Six-Month Suspension
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has restarted removals to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, ending a suspension that began in the spring. Since September 23, 2026, people from these countries who are subject to enforceable removal orders can be required to leave Canada.
The change was not announced separately. It became visible when the four countries disappeared from the list of exceptions on the CBSA's "Enforcing removals from Canada" webpage. The agency had introduced the pause on March 24, 2026.
What the Pause Was
The suspension took the form of an Administrative Deferral of Removal (ADR), a temporary measure the CBSA uses when a humanitarian crisis in a country could seriously endanger the lives or safety of its whole civilian population. While an ADR is in place, removals to the affected country are put on hold.
With the deferral lifted for these four countries, the CBSA can again carry out removals to them.
Who Can Now Be Removed
The change applies to people whose removal orders are enforceable. An order becomes enforceable once the person has used up every legal avenue available to them, including appeals, stays of removal and risk assessments. The CBSA can then act on the order right away.
The Three Types of Removal Orders
Canada issues three kinds of removal orders, each with different consequences:
- Departure order: This is the mildest form. The person has 30 days from when the order takes effect to leave Canada and confirm their exit with the CBSA. If they do, they can return later as long as they meet entry requirements at that time. If they miss the deadline, the order automatically becomes a deportation order.
- Exclusion order: The person must leave immediately and confirm their departure with the CBSA. They cannot return for one year, or five years if the order was issued for misrepresentation, unless they obtain an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC).
- Deportation order: The person must also leave immediately and confirm their departure. They are permanently barred from returning without an ARC, and coming back without one can lead to a further deportation order.
Some Cases Were Never Covered by the Deferral
Even while the ADR was active, it did not shield everyone. The CBSA could still remove people found inadmissible for:
- Membership in a designated regime
- Criminality
- Violations of international or human rights law
- National security reasons
- Organized crime
What It Means
For nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar or the UAE who have enforceable orders of removal, the deferral from protection no longer applies. All individuals in this situation are encouraged to ensure that their case is current with the CBSA or, where appropriate, speak to a licensed professional about immigration matters, as removal orders could be executed without warning.