How I Withdrew My Asylum Case in Canada and Got My Passport Back (Step-by-Step Guide)

[Khan]

I couldn’t find any proper info online when I went through this, so I’m sharing my full experience for anyone who plans to withdraw their refugee claim and return home.

Step 1 — Withdrawal at IRCC

• I went to the IRCC office at St. Clair (Toronto) without an appointment.
• It took less than 10 minutes — I just filled out a form.
• The next day, IRCC called and said my withdrawal approval letter was ready.
• I went back to the same office and collected it easily.

Then came the hardest part: getting my passport back.

I tried calling CBSA helplines everywhere — many numbers didn’t work or no one answered. It was frustrating, and I almost lost hope.

Finally, I decided to go to CBSA Mississauga and when reached there, they told me:

“If your passport was submitted to IRCC during your refugee process, it should still be with IRCC.”

Step 2 — Contacting the Right Offices

So, I went to the IRCC Hamilton office (without appointment) because that was the office where I submitted my passport when I opened my asylum case. So I had high hopes getting my passport from them. When I arrived there, they told me that my passport is likely with CBSA at 6900 Airport Road.

So, I went there immediately to the CBSA at 6900 Airport Road office.

At the CBSA office:
• Short interview (around 30 minutes including all the waiting).
• Filled out a form.
• The officer told me:
– If you buy your own flight ticket, you can get your passport back in about a week (max 10 days).
– If the government books your ticket, expect 2 months or more.

I said I’d buy my own ticket — I wanted to leave soon.

He also said:

“Once we get your passport from IRCC, we’ll email you.
Then you can book your flight and send us your flight details.
Your passport will be handed back to you at the Toronto airport before departure.”
I told him, okay I will book my own flight and then he told me you will get a call and email then book the flight.

Step 3 — The Return Process

Exactly 5 days later, I got both a call and an email from CBSA.

They said: “Go ahead and book your flight.”

I booked a direct flight Toronto → Islamabad (PIA, March 27).
I replied to their email with my flight details.

They replied that a CBSA officer would meet me at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) Terminal 3 to return my passport.

Step 4 — Departure Day

I went to the CBSA Secondary Inspection Area in the airport about 5 hours early, called the same CBSA officer, and met him inside YYZ Terminal 3 (CBSA Secondary Inspection Area). Their office was just in the entrance of the airport before the immigration desk.

He gave me a form to sign and handed me my passport right there.

Then I went through Canadian immigration smoothly and boarded my flight without any issues.

Step 5 — Arrival Back Home

When I landed in Islamabad, immigration was completely normal.
No questions — just a regular entry process.
I walked out of the airport smoothly.

💡 Tips for Anyone Planning to Withdraw

✅ Buy your own flight ticket.
 It speeds up the process — you’ll likely get your passport within 10 days.

❌ Don’t wait for CBSA to book your flight, if you can afford it.
 That can take weeks or even months.

✈️ Always choose a direct flight to your home country.
 Avoid layovers — connecting flights can create complications.

📞 Be patient with CBSA — getting through by phone is hard, but once you reach the right office, things move fast.
I hope this helps anyone in a similar situation.

When I was searching for guidance, there was almost no clear information online — so I wanted to share this from experience.

Wishing you a smooth and safe journey home. 🇨🇦➡️🏠

[Rehan_717]

Thank you, dear, for all your guidance. Hopefully, it will greatly help many refugees in Canada who are in situations like mine. May Allah bless you.

I have a question: my current passport (and my family’s), which is presently with the Canadian authorities, contains a valid U.S. B1/B2 visa for the next four years. I’m wondering, when the Canadian authorities return our passports, will they cancel only the Canadian visit visa we entered on, or will they also cancel the U.S. visa?

[Khan]

Thank you, dear, for all your guidance. Hopefully, it will greatly help many refugees in Canada who are in situations like mine. May Allah bless you.

I have a question: my current passport (and my family’s), which is presently with the Canadian authorities, contains a valid U.S. B1/B2 visa for the next four years. I’m wondering, when the Canadian authorities return our passports, will they cancel only the Canadian visit visa we entered on, or will they also cancel the U.S. visa?

You are most welcome!
I’m glad the information I shared has given you some helpful hints — I’ve been in the same situation myself, so I truly understand how you feel. May Allah make everything easier for you and your family.

That’s actually one of the reasons I started this website — to help others going through similar experiences. Unfortunately, I’ve been very busy and haven’t been able to give it the time it deserves, which is why the site has been a bit quiet. Still, I’m trying my best to keep it updated with the information I’ve learned through my own experiences in Canada.

Now, coming to your main concern — I had the same fear about the U.S. visa in my passport. I also had/ have a valid B1/B2 U.S. visa and a 5-year U.K. visitor visa, so I completely understand your worry. Thankfully, nothing happened to any of my visas — U.S., U.K., or even my UAE visa. And even my Canadian visa on passport has no sign or stamp or cross, it still looks same as before on my passport but I am sure in their system my Canada visa is canceled but by looking at my passport, no one can tell that my Canadian visa is canceld.

I flew safely from Canada to Pakistan without any issues or questions on arrival. Later, I returned to the UAE using the same old valid UAE visa, again with no problems. My U.S. and U.K. visas are still valid, although I haven’t traveled there yet. So from my experience, your U.S. visas should remain safe and unaffected.

However, I’d like to share another case: about two months ago, an Iranian friend of mine in Toronto also withdrew his asylum claim. The authorities didn’t return his passport in Canada — instead, they told him his passport would be handed over to the cabin crew, and he would receive it upon arrival in Tehran (Iran). When he arrived Tehran, he faced a tough time with immigration officials and had to go through several questions and interviews.

So, it seems the procedures can vary. I’m not sure if this specific process applies only to Iranian nationals or if the Canadian authorities have recently changed their rules. In my own case "March 2025", my passport was handed back to me at Toronto Airport before boarding, and everything went very smoothly.

Now that it’s November 2025, it’s difficult to predict how the situation stands — policies may change or differ based on nationality. Still, it’s good that you’re researching in advance so you’re fully prepared for any possible scenario.

Please do keep me updated on how things go for you. It’ll be helpful for me to learn from your experience as well, and I’d love to share your story here on the forum so it can help others too.

[Rehan_717]

Here’s the latest update: Yesterday, a Pakistani individual traveled back to Pakistan (Peshawar) after withdrawing his asylum case. The authorities did not return his passport at Toronto Airport. His flight was via Doha (Qatar Airways). Upon arrival at Peshawar Airport, the FIA allowed him to leave but retained his passport.

I’m not sure whether this happened due to the indirect flight route or if Canadian authorities had reported something to Pakistan. As per the law, the FIA should not take any action against someone returning voluntarily to Pakistan.

What’s your feedback on this situation?

[Khan]

Here’s the latest update: Yesterday, a Pakistani individual traveled back to Pakistan (Peshawar) after withdrawing his asylum case. The authorities did not return his passport at Toronto Airport. His flight was via Doha (Qatar Airways). Upon arrival at Peshawar Airport, the FIA allowed him to leave but retained his passport.

I’m not sure whether this happened due to the indirect flight route or if Canadian authorities had reported something to Pakistan. As per the law, the FIA should not take any action against someone returning voluntarily to Pakistan.

What’s your feedback on this situation?

Oh, that’s really bad and strange. Yes, it could be because of the indirect flight and also because Peshawar is a difficult airport. I’ve flown from Dubai to Peshawar many times and I always ended up fighting with them. Peshawar airport is really not easy — even when you’re traveling to Dubai from Peshawar, they make life hell. I now make sure I never travel through Peshawar airport.

Islamabad Airport is the best in Pakistan in my experience. My flight was direct from Toronto to Islamabad and I had zero issues. I even got my passport in Toronto before going to the immigration desk. I had an extra 20kg of weight, and the woman at the counter asked me to pay for the extra baggage. I told her, “Look, I am a refugee, I withdrew my case, and I’m going back to Pakistan because of an emergency.” She felt sorry for me, smiled, and said, “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Please take your boarding pass and have a safe flight.” I didn’t pay anything for the extra baggage.

When I was withdrawing my case, the officer told me to book a direct flight to my home country instead of taking any layovers to avoid issues. So I’m sure he was right — he knew what he was saying and wanted to help me. It’s common sense: if you have a layover in another country, Canada won’t give you your passport because they think the passenger might skip and stay in Doha or wherever. So they make sure you receive your passport in Pakistan so you don’t run away during the transit. That’s the logic I can think of, but Allah knows best.

I think booking a direct flight from Canada to Pakistan is the safer option. Going through another country just for a cheaper fare can bring risks.

And thank you for updating me — much appreciated.

[Rehan_717]

Appreceate your messege here. But you know what is strange thing here, CBSA itself asked him to book indrect ticket. Thats confusing me.

Now i am really worried if they do same with me than FIA will catch me at Lahore/Islamabad airport and make trouble.

[Khan]

Appreceate your messege here. But you know what is strange thing here, CBSA itself asked him to book indrect ticket. Thats confusing me.

Now i am really worried if they do same with me than FIA will catch me at Lahore/Islamabad airport and make trouble.

Ahhh, that is so strange. Why would CBSA do that when they clearly told me to book the direct flight? Maybe that guy had some bad history. When I was at the CBSA office in Mississauga, there was an Indian guy before me. They asked him if he had any criminal records in Canada, and he said no. After a few minutes, the CBSA officer returned and told him, “Let’s go to another room,” because they found a car hit-and-run record in their system. They took him away for further questioning.

Then it was my turn. They asked me the same question, and I said no, I don’t have any criminal records. After a short while, they completed my process without any issues.

Maybe that Pakistani guy (the Doha case) had some bad record too. But honestly, we can’t say anything for sure in these situations — it all depends on CBSA. I hope and pray everything goes smoothly for you as it did for me. There’s not much you can do now; you have to face CBSA at some stage anyway. Without CBSA clearance, no one can get away from Canada.

I feel so helpless because I wish I could help you more, but all I can do is share my own experience. I truly hope your process goes smoothly without any problems.

By the way, have you already started the withdrawal of your case? Are you doing it yourself or through a lawyer? I would recommend using the same lawyer who helped you open the case — they will be familiar with your file and might be able to handle the withdrawal process more easily?

[Rehan_717]

Thanks for your response.
Just wondering your status in Canada was protected person, or you were waiting for your hearing before your case withdraw?

[Khan]

Thanks for your response.
Just wondering your status in Canada was protected person, or you were waiting for your hearing before your case withdraw?

I was not protected person, I was still waiting for my first hearing, after 2 years I had no hearing, so I gave up and withdrew my case before hearing.