Security screening

The CBSA screens all visitors, immigrants and refugee claimants to keep Canada safe and secure. Inadmissible persons such as criminals or persons considered security risks are not allowed to enter or remain in Canada.

We work with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), as well as foreign and Canadian law enforcement agencies to screen all individuals entering Canada.  

Background checks

CBSA performs background checks on anyone 18 years of age or over who:

Background checks may also be carried out on people who apply to come to Canada temporarily.

Danger opinions

Danger opinions allow the CBSA to remove individuals who are a danger to Canada. The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration issues a danger opinion against any person that is believed to be a danger to the Canadian public or to Canada's security.

A person will only be removed if the danger outweighs the risk that person faces in returning to the country where he or she fled persecution. The CIC reviews each person's history to determine the danger compared to the risk.

Danger opinions can be issued against Convention refugees facing removal and against a person claiming protection. A refugee claimant issued a danger opinion is ineligible for referral for refugee protection through the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.

Irregular migration

Irregular migrants are individuals who migrate without any legal status, including people entering the country as victims of human-smuggling and trafficking. The CBSA uses intelligence to prevent irregular migration, identify high-risk travellers and facilitate the movement of legitimate visitors, refugees and immigrants.

The CBSA works with government, law-enforcement, immigration and other partners overseas to combat irregular migration.

Document integrity

The CBSA authenticates and verifies the integrity of travel documents to detect and prevent fraud.

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