A five-year ban from Canada feels like a brick wall. For many, it happens suddenly—after a misstep in an application or a misrepresentation, even if unintentional. IRCC takes credibility seriously, and a ban under IRPA section 40 can apply to any applicant who provides false information, omits material facts, or misleads the department.

What can you do?

First, understand the scope. A five-year ban doesn’t just block you from reapplying—it labels your file as high risk across Canadian and even allied immigration systems. This means future applications will be scrutinized even more closely, long after the ban is over.

That said, it’s not a dead end. There are three primary paths forward:

  1. Wait and rebuild. After the ban expires, reapply with full transparency, updated documentation, and a clear explanation of what happened and how you’ve changed your approach. Don’t recycle old narratives.
  2. Judicial review. If the ban was imposed in error or without due process, you may challenge the decision in Federal Court. This option is time-sensitive and requires evidence that the officer failed to act fairly or misapplied the law.
  3. Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds (H&C). In rare, urgent cases—such as needing to reunite with children or access life-saving care in Canada—you may qualify for an exemption to the ban. These applications are complex and require heavy documentation.

The worst thing to do is to reapply during your ban without addressing the inadmissibility. This can trigger even more serious consequences, like permanent bans or misrepresentation findings under multiple provisions.

At Marwah-Jad, we’ve helped clients get back on track after being banned. From reviewing the original decision to preparing for re-entry years later, we provide the long-term strategy you need to recover. The truth is, bans don’t break your chances forever—but mishandling them might.