CBSA issues a temporary halt on removals to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar
News release
March 24, 2026
Ottawa, Ontario
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has issued a temporary halt on removals to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar. This measure is being taken due to the volatile and unpredictable conditions affecting these countries.
Within the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar, the conditions are creating broad and generalized risks to the entire civilian population that extend beyond specific targeted actions.
The temporary halt, known as an Administrative Deferral of Removals (ADR), is imposed pursuant to paragraph 230(1)(c) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, on countries that are considered unsafe due to conditions such as environmental disasters or violence.
The ADR does not apply to individuals who are inadmissible on grounds of criminality, serious criminality, international or human rights violations, organized crime, or security.
Once the situation in these countries stabilizes and the circumstances no longer pose a generalized risk to the entire civilian population, the ADR will be lifted and the CBSA will resume removals for individuals who are inadmissible to Canada and have a removal order that is enforceable.
Quick facts
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On March 5, 2025, the CBSA temporarily paused removals to Israel and Lebanon due to the risks facing civilian populations amid the conflict in the Middle East.
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The CBSA has a legal obligation to remove inadmissible people as soon as possible. Everyone ordered removed from Canada is entitled to due process before the law. Once individuals have exhausted all legal avenues of appeal, they are expected to leave Canada or be removed.
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In 2025, the CBSA removed over 22,500 inadmissible persons and is currently removing approximately 400 inadmissible individuals every week. Through Canada’s Border Plan, $30.4 million was allocated to strengthen the CBSA’s capacity to complete 20,000 removals annually this fiscal year and in 2026–27.
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There are now 20 ADRs in place for countries around the world. This list is available on the CBSA website: Arrests, detentions and removals - Removal from Canada.
Contacts
Media Relations
Canada Border Services Agency
media@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
1-877-761-5945
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