Traveling while waiting to receive your PGWP

If you have applied for your PGWP (and your study permit has expired) and you plan on travelling outside Canada while your application is in process, you can leave Canada.

However, in order to return and enter Canada, you must:

1. have a valid eTA OR
2. have a valid TRV to enter Canada OR
3. be a Citizen of the United States (exempt from both the eTA and TRV).  
    

Once you arrive at the Canadian border, the following scenarios may happen:

1. You may be allowed to re-enter Canada as a temporary resident if Immigration Canada has not yet made a decision on your PGWP application.  
   1. The officer at the port of entry may ask you to prove that you have enough financial capacity to support yourself in Canada.
   2. If you applied for your PGWP before your study permit expired and you are allowed to re-enter Canada as a temporary resident, you may be allowed to work while waiting for a decision on your PGWP application. Review the eligibility criteria on working while waiting for the PGWP.
2. You may be allowed to re-enter Canada as a worker if your work permit has been approved while you were away.

It is possible that you will not be able to enter Canada. The decision to allow you to enter Canada while your PGWP application is pending is at the discretion of the border services officer. If you do not wish to risk your eligibility to work while your PGWP is processing, it is recommended that you do not have travel until your PGWP is approved.

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