Fact Sheet

November 2009

Migration Integrity Officer Program

Migration integrity officers (MIOs) are CBSA officers posted abroad who play an important role in protecting the integrity of the Canadian border by identifying at the source high-risk travellers before they reach Canada. MIOs carry out a wide range of tasks. They, among other duties, play a vital role in the following areas: stopping improperly-documented people from boarding planes destined to Canada, gathering immigration intelligence, training airline staff and host country officials on Canadian documents, and liaising with local authorities. The MIO program has evolved considerably since its inception in 1989, and now has 56 MIOs located in 46 key foreign embarkation, transit and immigration points around the world.

How they do their job

MIOs provide support and advice to airlines and local authorities on the documentation passengers require when travelling to Canada and on the interception of those who are improperly documented. They adhere to the Code of Conduct for Immigration Liaison Officers established by the Control Authorities Working Group of the International Air Transport Association. MIOs provide training to their foreign counterparts on various types of improperly-documented passengers, including persons holding altered, forged, counterfeit, improperly-obtained or improperly-issued documents, imposters, and those lacking required visas.

Credentials and successes

The MIOs’ expertise in document integrity, interview techniques and passenger assessment is highly valued by Canada’s partners. The work of Canadian MIOs has been recognized by countries such as the U.S., the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany and Norway.

In 2008-2009, MIOs delivered training sessions to almost 12,000 individuals, including representatives from airlines and local law enforcement agencies, to help improve the ability of these partners to identify and intercept improperly-documented travellers.

MIOs are involved in the interdiction of approximately 5,000 people annually. At the same time, they, through direct intervention, facilitate approximately 3,000 legitimate travellers, the majority of whom are Canadians returning home.

The work of MIOs helps to ensure the integrity of the Canadian border and the country’s immigration program. In doing so, MIOs play a vital role in the security of Canada and Canadians.   

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