Removals to the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain have resumed: what it means if you have a removal order

By Sundeep S. Grewal, lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation · Reviewed November 10, 2026

Published November 11, 2026

Sundeep S. Grewal is a lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation, called to the BC bar in 2018, and a member of the Law Society of British Columbia.

Updated November 10, 2026: CBSA’s removals page (modified October 5, 2026), CBSA’s March 24, 2026 news release and section 112 of the Act checked that day.

On March 24, 2026, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) put a temporary halt, called an Administrative Deferral of Removals (ADR), on removals to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar because of the risk to civilians there. That pause has ended. CBSA’s page on enforcing removals no longer lists the four countries, and removals have resumed. If you are from one of these countries and have a removal order, CBSA can now schedule your removal. The pause never protected people inadmissible for criminality, serious criminality, human or international rights violations, organized crime or security.

Lawgical Law Corporation, an immigration law firm in Surrey, Abbotsford and Vancouver, BC, handles deferral requests, PRRAs and Federal Court stays of removal; this guide is by Sundeep S. Grewal.

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What changed?

• The pause (March 24, 2026): CBSA deferred removals to the four countries because of generalized risks to civilians there, with the exclusions listed above.
• The lift: the four countries are no longer on CBSA’s list of countries under a deferral. Its page, modified October 5, 2026, lists 15 countries under an ADR and three under a temporary suspension, and none of the four Gulf states.
• What it means: people from these countries are now subject to the same removal rules as everyone else. A person with an enforceable removal order (who has used up their appeals, stays and risk assessments) can be removed.

Why this needs a lawyer

One lawyer, one file, every step:

• checking whether your order is enforceable and whether you can get a PRRA;
• a written deferral request to CBSA with evidence;
• a leave application and stay motion in the Federal Court;
• any humanitarian and compassionate application that fits your facts.

Immigration lawyers are members of a provincial law society (in our case, the Law Society of British Columbia), and only lawyers can appear for you in the Federal Court.

What are my options?

1. A PRRA, if you are eligible. There is usually a 12-month bar after a refused refugee claim or PRRA (IRPA s.112(2)(b.1)), but the Minister can exempt the nationals of a country from it (s.112(2.1)). With the deferral lifted, people from these four countries are subject to the same rules as everyone else, including this bar.
2. A deferral request to the CBSA officer, with evidence of new risk, a pending application or other short-term reasons.
3. A stay of removal from the Federal Court if CBSA refuses to defer. The Court looks for a serious issue, irreparable harm and the balance of convenience.
4. A humanitarian and compassionate application. It does not stop a removal on its own, but it can support a deferral request.

The Gulf removals at a glance

Worked example: the call-in letter

Example. A man from Bahrain whose refugee claim was refused in 2025 had his removal paused in March. He receives a CBSA direction to report on Thursday, November 19, 2026. His lawyer checks his PRRA eligibility, files a deferral request with new evidence of risk, and prepares a leave application and stay motion in case CBSA says no.

Mistakes I have seen

• I have seen people wait until the day before removal to get advice.
• I have seen people assume a pending humanitarian application stops removal. It does not.
• I have seen people skip a CBSA interview, which can lead to a warrant.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still apply for a PRRA?

It depends on when your last refugee or PRRA decision was made and on any exemption. CBSA tells you in writing if you can apply.

Will CBSA remove me right away?

CBSA usually calls you in first to arrange the removal. Use that time to get advice.

I have a Canadian spouse. Does that help?

It can matter for a deferral request or a humanitarian application, but it does not stop removal by itself.

Related guides

See our guides on a refused PRRA or deferral and a stay of removal, the pre-removal risk assessment and a refused PRRA.

What should I do right now?

Find your removal order and your last refugee or PRRA decision. Keep your address current with CBSA. Get advice before any CBSA interview.

Book a consultation with our immigration lawyers in Surrey, Abbotsford or Vancouver, or online from anywhere.

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Sources (official)

• CBSA: temporary halt on removals to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar (March 24, 2026)
• CBSA: Enforcing removals from Canada (modified October 5, 2026)
• Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, s. 112 (current to October 19, 2026)

This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case depends on its own facts.