CBSA Took Someone From Nunavut? Facing Removal or a Refugee Deadline? Get a Free Answer.
If a family member was just detained by the CBSA, or you have a removal order, a refugee hearing, or a work-permit problem you don't understand, the clocks in Canadian immigration law are short and unforgiving - and in Nunavut, where there is no immigration tribunal office and hearings happen by video, knowing what to do first matters even more. Immigration is federal law under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), and it moves fast: a detained person must be brought before the Immigration Division within 48 hours, a removal-order appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division is due in 30 days, and after the March 2026 changes under Bill C-12 a late refugee claim can be barred from a hearing altogether. The Legal Hotline for Nunavut is live now. You can call free, day or night, to get clear legal information about IRPA, the Immigration and Refugee Board, and your first move. This is free legal information, not legal advice. Legal Hotline is not a law firm.
Free legal information. Not legal advice. Available 24/7 across Nunavut.
Immigration Law in Nunavut — what to do right now
If someone was just detained by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), your first job is to locate them and make sure no one signs anything without understanding it. CBSA must bring a detained person before the Immigration Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) within 48 hours for a detention review; if detention continues, the next review is within 7 days, then every 30 days after that. Because Nunavut has no immigration holding centre, a person detained on an immigration matter is usually held in or moved through southern Canada, and the detention review is heard by video - so write down the person's full name, date of birth, country of birth, and any Client ID or document numbers from CBSA paperwork, and find out where they are being held. Do not let anyone agree to leave Canada or sign a removal-related form without first understanding the consequences, because some choices give up appeal rights and trigger long bars on returning.
The law in Nunavut: Immigration Law
Immigration in Canada is FEDERAL law, not Nunavut territorial law, and that is the single most important thing to understand because it decides which decision-maker you are in front of. Everything runs under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA, S.C. 2001, c. 27) and its regulations. The Nunavut Court of Justice does NOT decide immigration status, refugee claims, removals, or work permits. Those are decided by federal bodies: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) handles permanent residence, sponsorship, work and study permits, and citizenship; the CBSA handles enforcement, detention, and removals; and the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) is the independent tribunal that decides refugee claims and appeals and reviews detention.Nunavut is distinctive in one way that shapes every economic immigration question: it is the only territory in Canada, and one of only two jurisdictions alongside Quebec, with NO Provincial or Territorial Nominee Program. There is no "Nunavut Nominee Program." That means a skilled worker who wants to settle in Nunavut applies through the FEDERAL programs directly - Express Entry (the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, and Canadian Experience Class streams), family sponsorship, or a pilot such as the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot where a participating community takes part - rather than seeking a territorial nomination as you would in any province. Nunavut also has Canada's smallest immigrant population by share, a predominantly Inuit population, and very limited local settlement infrastructure, with Iqaluit as the hub. None of that changes the federal rules below; it changes where and how you access help.
The IRB has four divisions, and knowing which one you are in front of matters. The Refugee Protection Division (RPD) decides refugee claims. The Refugee Appeal Division (RAD) hears most appeals from RPD decisions. The Immigration Division (ID) reviews detention and holds admissibility hearings. The Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) hears appeals of certain removal orders, refused family sponsorships, and residency-obligation decisions. There is no IRB office in Nunavut; the territory falls within the IRB's Eastern region, administered out of Montréal, and hearings for people in Nunavut are held by video. There is no general "immigration court" the way some people imagine; you are in a specific division with its own rules and deadlines.
Refugee protection runs under IRPA sections 96 and 97, and the process changed substantially on 26 March 2026 when Bill C-12 (the Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act) received royal assent. It created two new eligibility bars that can stop a claim from ever being referred to the RPD: a claim is ineligible if it is made more than ONE YEAR after the person's first entry into Canada on or after 24 June 2020, and a claim is ineligible if it is made more than 14 DAYS after entering between official ports of entry along the Canada-United States land border. These bars apply to claims made on or after 3 June 2025. People caught by them are not simply deported without review: they keep access to a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA), and unaccompanied minors are exempt. The Canada-US Safe Third Country Agreement also continues to bar most claims made at the land border by people coming from the US, with limited exceptions. These rules are technical and the consequences are severe, which is exactly why getting accurate information early matters.
Removal, appeals, and judicial review each carry their own hard deadlines. A removal order can be a departure order, an exclusion order, or a deportation order, and which one you get changes whether and when you can return. An appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) of a removal order or a refused sponsorship must reach the Division within 30 days. After the IRB and the appeal divisions have finished, the only further step is an application for leave and judicial review in the Federal Court of Canada under IRPA section 72: the deadline is 15 days for a decision made inside Canada and 60 days for a decision made outside Canada, and you first need the Court's permission ("leave") before a full hearing. Federal Court deadlines are strict. Nunavut's own courts sit alongside all of this only where a criminal charge, a family matter, or a territorial issue overlaps with immigration consequences; the immigration decision itself is always federal.
Key Federal Legislation (applies across Canada)
- Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), S.C. 2001, c. 27 - the governing statute for all immigration and refugee matters
- Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), SOR/2002-227 - the detailed rules under IRPA
- IRPA s. 96 and s. 97 - the definitions of a Convention refugee and a person in need of protection
- IRPA s. 36 - inadmissibility for serious criminality and criminality, which can flow from a Nunavut criminal conviction
- Bill C-12 (2026), Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act - new refugee eligibility bars, royal assent 26 March 2026
- Citizenship Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-29 - for naturalization and proof of citizenship
Decision-Makers (all federal)
- IRCC - permanent residence, sponsorship, work and study permits, citizenship, H&C applications, and the federal economic programs Nunavut newcomers use
- CBSA - enforcement, immigration detention, and removals from Canada
- IRB Refugee Protection Division (RPD) - decides refugee claims
- IRB Refugee Appeal Division (RAD) - most appeals from RPD refusals
- IRB Immigration Division (ID) - detention reviews and admissibility hearings
- IRB Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) - removal-order, sponsorship, and residency appeals
- Federal Court of Canada - leave and judicial review of immigration decisions (IRPA s. 72)
Deadlines That Cannot Be Missed
- Detention review: CBSA must bring a detainee before the ID within 48 hours, then 7 days, then every 30 days (IRPA s. 57)
- Refugee claim eligibility (Bill C-12): barred if made more than 1 year after first entry on/after 24 June 2020
- Refugee claim eligibility (Bill C-12): barred if made more than 14 days after crossing the Canada-US land border between ports of entry
- IAD appeal of a removal order or refused sponsorship: 30 days from receiving the decision
- Federal Court leave and judicial review: 15 days (decision made in Canada) or 60 days (made outside Canada) under IRPA s. 72
- PRRA: typically 15 days to submit the application, then 15 more days for written submissions
Where Nunavut Fits In
- Nunavut is the only territory, and one of only two jurisdictions with Quebec, that has NO Provincial/Territorial Nominee Program - economic immigrants apply through federal programs directly
- The Nunavut Court of Justice does NOT decide immigration status, refugee claims, or removals
- There is no IRB office in Nunavut; the territory is in the IRB's Eastern region (Montréal) and hearings are held by video
- There is no immigration holding centre in Nunavut; immigration detention and removal are routed through southern Canada
- A Nunavut criminal or family court outcome can have immigration consequences, but the immigration decision stays federal
The Bill C-12 Refugee Bars, the 48-Hour Detention Clock, and Nunavut's No-Nominee Reality
Three things shape Nunavut immigration cases before they properly start. First, since 26 March 2026, Bill C-12 can bar a refugee claim from ever reaching a hearing: file more than one year after your first entry to Canada (on or after 24 June 2020), or more than 14 days after crossing the Canada-US land border between ports of entry, and your claim may be ineligible for the Refugee Protection Division. These bars reach back to claims made on or after 3 June 2025. If you are anywhere near either limit, the timing is the emergency, not the paperwork; people barred this way still get a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment, but that is a narrower process. Second, if a loved one is detained by the CBSA, the law gives them a detention review before the Immigration Division within 48 hours, then within 7 days, then every 30 days - and because Nunavut has no holding centre and no IRB office, that review happens by video and the person is usually held in southern Canada. Third, if your question is about moving to Nunavut to work or settle, there is no territorial nominee program to apply to; Nunavut is the only territory without one, so the route is through federal programs like Express Entry. This is information, not legal advice. A free call to the Nunavut Legal Hotline will tell you which clock is ticking on your case.
Likely outcomes & penalties
Immigration outcomes in Canada turn on the specific facts, the deadlines, and which form of relief you qualify for, and no one can promise a result. These are the real consequences and ranges Nunavut residents face under IRPA.Mistakes to avoid
How it works
Free & low-cost Immigration Law help in Nunavut
Nunavut has very limited local immigration-specific infrastructure - the territory's own legal aid focuses on criminal, family, and civil law, and there is no IRB office here - so refugee and immigration help often comes from federal sources and from organisations that work by phone and video. These are verified, currently-live starting points. A free call to the Nunavut Legal Hotline will help you work out which one fits your situation.
FAQ — Immigration Law in Nunavut
Does Nunavut have its own immigration or nominee program?
No. Nunavut is the only territory in Canada, and one of only two jurisdictions alongside Quebec, that does NOT operate a Provincial or Territorial Nominee Program. There is no "Nunavut Nominee Program." If you want to immigrate to Nunavut as a skilled worker, you apply through federal programs directly - Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, Canadian Experience Class), family sponsorship, or a pilot such as the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot where a participating community takes part. Anyone who becomes a permanent resident through a federal program is welcome to settle in Nunavut. The Nunavut Legal Hotline is live now and gives free information on the federal route.
CBSA just detained my family member. How does a detention review work, and where is it held for Nunavut?
Immigration detention has no fixed term and is not a criminal sentence. The CBSA must bring the detained person before the Immigration Division of the IRB within 48 hours for a review of the reasons for detention; if detention continues, the next review is within 7 days, then every 30 days after that. Because Nunavut has no immigration holding centre and no IRB office, a person detained on an immigration matter is usually held in or moved to southern Canada, and the detention review is heard by video. Write down their full name, date of birth, country of birth, and any document numbers, and find out where they are being held. The Nunavut Legal Hotline is live now and gives free information on what the first 48 hours look like.
How long do I have to make a refugee claim in Canada after the 2026 changes?
Since Bill C-12 received royal assent on 26 March 2026, two new bars apply. A claim can be ineligible for a Refugee Protection Division hearing if it is made more than one year after your first entry into Canada on or after 24 June 2020, or more than 14 days after crossing the Canada-US land border between official ports of entry. These bars apply to claims made on or after 3 June 2025. People barred this way still get a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment, and unaccompanied minors are exempt. If you are near either limit, the timing is urgent. The Nunavut Legal Hotline is live now and will help you understand where you stand.
There is no IRB office in Nunavut - how would my refugee or immigration hearing happen?
Nunavut falls within the IRB's Eastern region, which is administered out of Montréal, and there is no IRB office in the territory. Hearings for people in Nunavut are held by video: the Immigration and Refugee Board schedules virtual hearings by default, and you can take part using your own equipment from a private space. This applies to refugee claims, detention reviews, and appeals alike. It means you do not have to travel south for a hearing, but it also means a reliable connection and a quiet, private location matter. The Nunavut Legal Hotline is live now and will help you understand how a video hearing works.
Which court handles my deportation case in Nunavut?
None of Nunavut's courts do. Immigration is federal, so removal, refugee, and detention matters are decided by the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB), not the Nunavut Court of Justice. Refugee claims go to the Refugee Protection Division, most refugee appeals to the Refugee Appeal Division, detention and admissibility to the Immigration Division, and certain removal and sponsorship appeals to the Immigration Appeal Division. The only further step is an application for leave and judicial review in the Federal Court of Canada. For people in Nunavut, all of this is conducted by video because there is no IRB office in the territory.
I got a removal order. Can I appeal it, and how long do I have?
It depends on the type of order and your status. Many removal orders and refused family sponsorships can be appealed to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD), and that appeal must reach the Division within 30 days of receiving the decision. If the IAD route is not available, or after it, the next step is an application for leave and judicial review in the Federal Court under IRPA section 72, due in 15 days for a decision made in Canada or 60 days for one made outside Canada. These deadlines are strict. The Nunavut Legal Hotline is live now and will help you understand which path applies.
What is the difference between a departure order, an exclusion order, and a deportation order?
All three are removal orders under IRPA, but the consequences differ. A departure order requires you to leave and confirm your departure (usually within 30 days); done correctly, returning later is easier, but if you don't comply it can become a deportation order. An exclusion order usually bars you from returning for one year, or five years if it was for misrepresentation. A deportation order bars return permanently unless you obtain written Authorization to Return to Canada. Knowing which one you have changes everything about your options.
Is there free immigration and refugee legal help for people in Nunavut?
Nunavut's own legal aid - the Legal Services Board of Nunavut - focuses on criminal, family, and civil law rather than immigration, so refugee and immigration help often comes from federal sources and from organisations that work by phone and video. The Law Society of Nunavut runs a referral service to help you find a lawyer (1-844-979-2330), and JusticeNet offers reduced sliding-scale fees for those whose income is too high for legal aid. The Government of Nunavut and the IRB sites explain the federal route and the hearing process. The Nunavut Legal Hotline is live now and will help you work out which fits.
My work permit is expiring. What should I do?
Work permits are issued by IRCC under IRPA, and the safest move is to apply to extend or change your status before the current permit expires. If you apply to extend before expiry, you generally keep "maintained status" (formerly implied status) and can usually keep working under the same conditions while IRCC processes the application. Letting a permit lapse without applying can cost your authorization to work and complicate your status. This is the same federal process everywhere in Canada, including Nunavut. The Nunavut Legal Hotline is live now and will help you understand your options.
Can the Safe Third Country Agreement stop my claim at the border?
Often, yes. Under the Canada-US Safe Third Country Agreement, most people who try to claim refugee protection at the Canada-US land border after coming from the United States are turned back to make their claim there, with limited exceptions (such as certain family members in Canada or unaccompanied minors). Bill C-12's new 14-day land-border bar adds a further limit for those who do enter. These border rules are technical, and a small detail can decide eligibility. The Nunavut Legal Hotline is live now and will help you understand whether an exception might apply.
Will a criminal charge in Nunavut affect my immigration status?
It can. A criminal conviction in the Nunavut Court of Justice can make a permanent resident or foreign national inadmissible to Canada under IRPA section 36 for "criminality" or "serious criminality," which can lead to a removal order and, for serious cases, loss of the right to appeal. The criminal case is decided in Nunavut's court, but the immigration consequences are federal and separate. If you are not a citizen and face criminal charges, the immigration angle matters from the very first appearance. The Nunavut Legal Hotline is live now and will help you understand the overlap.
I think an officer made a mistake on my application. Can I challenge it?
Possibly. Many IRCC and IRB decisions can be challenged by an application for leave and judicial review in the Federal Court of Canada under IRPA section 72. You first need the Court's permission ("leave") before a full hearing, and the deadline is strict: 15 days for a decision made inside Canada and 60 days for a decision made outside Canada from when you were notified. The Court reviews whether the decision was reasonable and fair, not whether it would decide differently. Because the window is short, act quickly. The Nunavut Legal Hotline is live now and will help you understand the process.
Are you an immigration or refugee lawyer who serves Nunavut? Join our network.
We're building a network of licensed practitioners who can take refugee claims, detention reviews, removal and sponsorship appeals, Federal Court judicial reviews, work and study permit problems, and humanitarian and compassionate applications for anxious, time-pressured callers in Iqaluit and across Nunavut's communities. Because Nunavut has no IRB office and most immigration work is done by video, much of this can be handled remotely. If you are a lawyer who serves Nunavut clients on immigration and refugee matters - whether based in the territory or working with Nunavummiut from elsewhere in Canada, especially in additional languages - we'd like to add you to the practitioners we match callers with as we grow our Nunavut network for our live paid-consultation service. Express your interest and we'll be in touch.
General legal information, not legal advice. We research every page from primary sources — legislation, the courts, and government legal-aid bodies — and check it for accuracy against current Canadian federal and provincial law. Spotted something out of date? Tell us at admin@platfirm.ai.
Sources & further reading
- Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), S.C. 2001, c. 27
- IRPA s. 36 - inadmissibility for serious criminality and criminality
- IRPA s. 57 - detention review timelines (48 hours, 7 days, 30 days)
- IRPA s. 72 - leave and judicial review in the Federal Court (15/60-day deadlines)
- Bill C-12 (2026) new immigration and asylum measures - Government of Canada
- Immigrate to Nunavut - Government of Nunavut (no nominee program; federal route)
- Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB)
The Nunavut Legal Hotline is live now.
Whether a family member was just detained by the CBSA, a refugee deadline is closing in under the new Bill C-12 rules, or you have a removal order or work-permit problem you don't understand, Canadian immigration law is federal, fast, and unforgiving of missed deadlines - and in Nunavut, where there is no immigration tribunal office, no holding centre, and no territorial nominee program, knowing the federal route matters even more. The Nunavut Legal Hotline is live now, giving you free, plain-English information about IRPA, the Immigration and Refugee Board, and your first move - day or night, with no income test. You can also reach the Government of Nunavut, which explains the federal route, and the Law Society of Nunavut (1-844-979-2330), which can help you find a lawyer - and a paid lawyer-consultation service through Legal Hotline is live — a consultation can be booked right on the call. This is free legal information, not legal advice, and creates no lawyer-client relationship. Legal Hotline is not a law firm. Just real help, the moment you need it.
Free legal information. Not legal advice.