CBSA Call-In Notice: Do I Have to Go and What Happens Next?

Receiving a CBSA call-in notice can be intimidating. Many people immediately worry that they will be detained, issued a removal order, or forced to leave Canada. In some cases, those risks are real. In others, the appointment may be part of a routine immigration enforcement process.

The most important point is this: do not ignore a call-in notice from the Canada Border Services Agency. You should understand why CBSA wants to meet, what documents to bring, what questions may be asked, and whether legal assistance is needed before you attend.

Canada Border Services Agency: Purpose of a Call-In Notice

The Canada Border Services Agency is responsible for border enforcement, immigration enforcement, removals, investigations, and compliance with Canadian immigration laws. A call-in notice is one way CBSA asks a person to attend an interview or appointment.

The purpose may be simple, such as confirming your address or collecting updated travel documents. It may also be serious, such as reviewing your immigration status, discussing a possible removal order, or asking questions about your immigration history.

CBSA’s enforcement manuals describe enforcement as a risk-based process. Officers are expected to assess non-compliance, consider the seriousness of the situation, and use enforcement resources in a fair and responsible manner.

What Is a CBSA Call-In Notice?

A CBSA call-in notice is a written request requiring a person to attend an appointment with a CBSA officer or border services officer. It usually includes the date, time, location, and instructions about what to bring.

A call-in notice does not always mean that you will be removed from Canada that day. However, it should always be treated as important. If CBSA has concerns about your status, past applications, criminality, inadmissibility, failed refugee claim, missed removal appointment, or lack of valid documents, the meeting can affect your ability to remain in Canada.

You may receive the notice by mail, email, phone follow-up, or in person. You should keep a copy of the notice and send it to your lawyer for review before attending.

When CBSA Issues a Call-In Notice

CBSA may issue a call-in notice for many reasons. The most common include:

1. You are subject to a removal process.

2. Your refugee claim, appeal, PRRA, or immigration application was refused.

3. CBSA needs updated address, identity, or contact information.

4. CBSA wants to confirm whether you have valid travel documents.

5. You have been asked to comply with reporting conditions.

6. There are concerns about criminality, inadmissibility, or national security.

7. CBSA is reviewing whether to prepare a report under section 44 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

8. CBSA wants to discuss arrangements for removal from Canada.

In some situations, the notice may be connected to a Section 44 report, an admissibility hearing, detention review, or removal arrangements. In other cases, the meeting may be part of ongoing monitoring.

Common CBSA Interview Questions

CBSA questions depend on the reason for the appointment. A person with a pending removal may be asked different questions than someone being reviewed for inadmissibility.

Common interview questions include:

• What is your current address and phone number?

• What is your current immigration status in Canada?

• When did you last enter Canada?

• What is your immigration history?

• Do you have a valid passport or travel document?

• Have you applied for any immigration status, appeal, or court review?

• Do you have family in Canada?

• Are you employed?

• Do you have medical or psychological concerns?

• Are there reasons you are unable to leave Canada?

• Are you willing to comply with CBSA instructions?

CBSA may also ask situational questions to assess whether you are likely to comply, whether you may fail to appear, or whether you may need further supervision. These are not “job interview” questions, but the skills involved are similar: listen carefully, answer truthfully, stay calm, and do not guess.

How to Respond to a Call-In Notice

You should respond to a CBSA call-in notice carefully and promptly. Ignoring it can make the situation worse and may lead to enforcement action.

Before attending, you should:

1. Review the notice carefully.

2. Confirm the date, time, and location.

3. Gather all required documents.

4. Speak with an immigration lawyer.

5. Prepare a timeline of your immigration history.

6. Identify any pending applications, appeals, or Federal Court matters.

7. Prepare proof of address, employment, family ties, and medical issues where relevant.

8. Do not submit documents without understanding their legal effect.

If you are unable to attend, do not simply miss the appointment. You or your lawyer should contact CBSA in advance, explain the reason, and request a new date if appropriate. Keep proof of all communication.

Legal Rights and Removal Order Risks

A call-in notice is not the same thing as a removal order. However, it can be connected to removal enforcement.

If a removal order has already been issued, CBSA may use the appointment to discuss next steps, confirm travel documents, schedule removal, or ask whether there are barriers to removal. If you do not already have a removal order, CBSA may still be reviewing whether to start an inadmissibility process.

You should be especially careful if any of the following apply:

• You have a failed refugee claim.

• You missed a previous CBSA appointment.

• You have a criminal charge or conviction.

• You have no valid immigration status.

• You were denied an immigration application.

• You have been asked to bring a passport.

• You have been told to bring luggage or travel documents.

• You have a pending Federal Court application or stay motion.

• You have medical, family, or psychological factors affecting removal.

In urgent cases, an immigration lawyer may need to consider whether a deferral request, stay motion at the Federal Court, or other emergency remedy is available. Timing is critical.

Preparing for a CBSA Interview: Role Play and Interview Coaching

Many people feel stress before a CBSA interview. Preparation matters because unclear answers, missing documents, or avoidable mistakes can create problems.

At AKM Law, preparation may include role play, interview coaching, and review of likely CBSA questions. This is not about giving scripted answers. It is about helping clients understand the process, organize their information, and answer truthfully without confusion.

Preparation can include:

• Reviewing the client’s immigration history

• Identifying difficult situations and decisiveness issues

• Practicing clear answers to expected questions

• Reviewing documents before they are submitted

• Preparing proof of pending applications or court matters

• Discussing family, employment, health, and country conditions

• Reviewing whether a psychological assessment or medical documentation is relevant

In some cases, psychological or medical evidence may help explain why a person had difficulty complying with instructions, attending appointments, or responding to government requests. This must be handled carefully and supported by proper documentation.

How AKM Law Can Help in CBSA Call-In Notice Cases

At AKM Law, our immigration lawyers regularly represent individuals facing CBSA enforcement proceedings and understand how quickly these matters can develop. We begin by reviewing your immigration history, current immigration status, and the purpose of the call-in notice to assess the legal risks and develop a strategy before you meet with a CBSA officer.

Depending on your circumstances, we can communicate directly with the Canada Border Services Agency, prepare supporting documentation, and ensure that any pending immigration applications, humanitarian considerations, medical concerns, or Federal Court proceedings are brought to CBSA's attention. We also help clients prepare for their interview by reviewing likely CBSA questions, conducting interview preparation sessions, and ensuring they understand the process and their legal obligations.

If your case involves a Section 44 report, inadmissibility allegations, detention, or an upcoming removal, we can provide representation throughout the enforcement process, including requests to defer removal and urgent Federal Court stay applications where appropriate. Our goal is to protect your legal rights while presenting the strongest possible case for you to remain in Canada.

Final Thoughts

A CBSA call-in notice should never be ignored. While some appointments are routine, others can have significant consequences for your immigration status and your future in Canada. The best way to protect yourself is to understand why CBSA has requested the meeting, prepare thoroughly, bring complete documentation, and obtain legal advice before attending.

If you have received a CBSA call-in notice, have been asked to report to the Canada Border Services Agency, or are concerned about a possible removal order, AKM Law can help. Our team has extensive experience representing clients in CBSA enforcement matters, including detention, inadmissibility proceedings, removal deferrals, and urgent Federal Court litigation. We can assess your case, explain your options, and work with you to develop the strongest strategy to protect your ability to remain in Canada.Frequently Asked Questions

Is a CBSA call-in notice the same as a removal order?

No. A CBSA call-in notice is not the same as a removal order. It is a request to attend a meeting with CBSA. However, the appointment may be connected to a removal order, inadmissibility concerns, travel documents, or enforcement steps that could affect your ability to remain in Canada.

You should review the notice carefully and get legal advice if there is any mention of removal, inadmissibility, travel documents, failed claims, or reporting conditions.

Can I bring a lawyer to a CBSA appointment?

In many cases, yes, you can ask to have a lawyer assist you or attend with you, especially in inland CBSA matters. Whether counsel can actively participate depends on the type of appointment and circumstances.

If you are detained, the right to counsel becomes especially important. If you are not detained, it is still wise to obtain legal advice before attending and to confirm whether counsel may attend.

Do I have to answer CBSA questions?

You must be truthful when dealing with CBSA and Canadian immigration authorities. You should not guess, exaggerate, or provide false information. If you do not know the answer, say so clearly.

Some questions may have legal consequences. If you are unsure how to answer because the issue involves criminality, inadmissibility, misrepresentation, national security, or removal, you should ask to speak with a lawyer before proceeding further.

What happens after a CBSA call-in notice meeting?

After the meeting, CBSA may take no immediate action, schedule another appointment, request additional documents, impose reporting conditions, move forward with a Section 44 report, refer a case to the Immigration Division, or continue removal arrangements.

The next steps depend on your immigration status, history, documents, and whether CBSA believes there are concerns under Canadian immigration laws. You should keep a detailed note of what happened at the interview and provide it to your lawyer for review.