Should You Travel Outside Canada After Applying for PGWP or Study Permit Extension?
Traveling outside Canada after submitting your Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) or Study Permit (SOP) Extension application is a very common concern among international students and workers. Many applicants find themselves in difficult situations — sometimes they have to leave due to family emergencies, health issues, or other urgent reasons, and later they get stuck outside Canada because of visa and status complications.
In this blog, we at Globexa Immigration explain whether you should travel outside Canada after submitting your PGWP or SOP extension application, what risks are involved, and what the safest approach is.
1. Two Main Scenarios: PGWP vs. Extension Applications
Your travel options depend on which type of application you have submitted:
Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) Application
Extension Applications (Study Permit Extension, SOP Extension, Work Permit Extension, Visitor Record Extension, etc.)
Let’s break them down.
1. Traveling After Submitting a PGWP Application
The PGWP is a special type of application. Even if you leave Canada after applying, you do not lose your implied status. This means you can continue working when you return, as long as you meet the requirements.
Yes, you can travel: Leaving Canada after applying for PGWP does not cancel your application or implied status.
You can still work after returning: If you had already started working under implied status, you can resume working once back in Canada.
Approval is not impacted: Leaving Canada does not negatively affect your PGWP decision.
Example:
If you applied for PGWP in April, started working, and left for India in August (with a valid visa stamp on your passport), you can return in October and continue working normally.
But Why Should You Avoid Traveling?
Even though it is allowed, traveling is not recommended unless it’s an emergency. Here’s why:
You lose the opportunity to gain Canadian work experience, which is crucial for PR applications.
If your visa stamp expires while you are outside Canada, you may get stuck until your PGWP is approved and a new TRV is issued (which can take months).
Key Rule: You need a valid visa stamp on your passport to re-enter Canada. To leave, you don’t need one, but to come back, it’s mandatory.
2. Traveling After Submitting a Study Permit or Any Other Extension
For extension applications, the rules are much stricter.
Do not travel after applying for SOP/Study Permit Extension
Leaving Canada can lead to refusal because IRCC requires you to be physically inside Canada during the processing of extension applications.
If IRCC sees that you left, they can refuse your application without warning.
Even if you try to return, you will only get a visitor record at the border, which does not allow you to work.
In short: If you’ve applied for an extension, stay inside Canada until you get approval.
2. Valid TRV (Visa Stamp) Requirement
To leave Canada: No TRV or permit is required.
To return to Canada: A valid TRV (Temporary Resident Visa) on your passport is mandatory. It can be a study visa, work visa, or visitor visa — but it must be valid.
Warning:
If you don’t have a valid visa stamp and try applying for TRV while on implied status, most applications are refused. IRCC usually requires an approved permit (PGWP or extension) before issuing a TRV.
3. What Happens If You Come Back With a Visitor Record?
If PGWP Application in Process: You can still work, even if you get a visitor record at the border.
If Extension Application in Process: You cannot work with a visitor record.
This makes a huge difference between PGWP and SOP extension cases.
4. Recommended Best Practice
To avoid refusals, wasted time, and being stuck outside Canada:
Apply for PGWP or Extension.
Wait for approval.
Apply for TRV and get a valid visa stamp.
Then travel outside Canada safely.
This is the safest route because:
Your TRV is guaranteed once your PGWP or extension is approved.
You won’t risk refusal due to leaving during processing.
You’ll save months of waiting time outside Canada.
5. TRV / Visa Stamping Timelines
2–3 months for approval + 20 days for stamping.
Whether inside or outside Canada, the process usually takes about 3 months in total.
Final Advice
PGWP Applicants: You can travel, but it’s better to stay in Canada and build work experience unless it’s an emergency. Always ensure you have a valid TRV before leaving.
Extension Applicants (Study Permit, SOP, Work Permit, Visitor Record): Do not travel outside Canada. Your application can be refused, and you will not be able to work even if you return with a visitor record.
Best Scenario: Wait for approval, get your TRV stamped, and then travel freely.
At Globexa Immigration, we assist students and workers in managing their PGWP, study permit extensions, and TRV applications to avoid costly mistakes and unnecessary delays. If your work permit is about to expire or you are planning to apply for PR, our expert team can guide you step by step.
