Foreign national
Statutory definition
foreign national means a person who is not a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, and includes a stateless person.
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, SC 2001, c 27, s 2(1)
Explanation
The term foreign national is the foundational category in Canadian immigration law. The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act divides persons in Canada into Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and foreign nationals. Foreign nationals who wish to enter or remain in Canada must comply with IRPA and its regulations, including obtaining the appropriate visa, work permit, study permit, or other authorisation.
A stateless person — someone who is not recognised as a national by any country under its laws — is expressly included within the definition of foreign national.
How this term is used
The term "foreign national" is used throughout the IRPA to describe persons subject to Canada's immigration requirements. A foreign national who enters or remains in Canada without authorisation, or who fails to comply with the conditions of their status, may be subject to removal. The term covers temporary residents (visitors, workers, students), refugee claimants, and persons seeking permanent residency who have not yet been granted that status.