The “Travel Trap”: Can You Leave Canada While Waiting for Your PGWP?

You Finished Your Studies. You Applied for Your PGWP. Now, Can You Go Home?

For many international graduates, the period between finishing exams and receiving the physical Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is a time of limbo. You are likely on “Maintained Status” (formerly called Implied Status), meaning you can legally stay and work in Canada while IRCC processes your file.

But what if you want to travel? Maybe you have a family wedding, a sick relative, or you just want a break before starting your career.

Warning: Leaving Canada while on Maintained Status is one of the most confusing areas of immigration law. One wrong move at the border could cost you your immediate ability to work.

At Cambria Law, we advise students to proceed with extreme caution. Here is the legal reality of crossing the border while your application is pending.

The General Rule: Leaving Kills “Maintained Status”

For most temporary residents (e.g., visitors or workers extending their permits), the rule is strict: If you leave Canada, you lose your Maintained Status (IRCC, 2024).

When you return, you enter as a Visitor. This means:

1. You can re-enter (if you have a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or eTA).

2. You CANNOT work until your new permit is physically approved.

The Risk: If you leave, you might be stuck in Canada for 3–5 months unable to earn an income while waiting for the decision.

The “PGWP Exception” (R186(w))

International graduates applying for a PGWP have a special exemption under Paragraph 186(w) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).

Unlike other applicants, you may be able to leave and re-enter Canada and continue working, provided you meet all of these conditions:

1. Valid Study Permit: You held a valid study permit at the time you submitted your PGWP application.

2. Full-Time Status: You completed your program of study and were authorized to work off-campus under R186(v).

3. Valid TRV/eTA: You have a valid visa to re-enter Canada.

The “But”: Border Officer Discretion While the law technically allows it, the reality at the border can be different.

• If the Border Services Officer (BSO) is not satisfied with your documents, they may admit you only as a Visitor.

• If your passport is stamped as a “Visitor” without authorization to work remarks, your employer may refuse to let you work until the physical permit arrives. (Worried about a bad interaction at the border? Read about our Denied Entry & Border Solutions).

The “Interim Work” Letter (WP-EXT)

When you apply for your PGWP online, you usually receive an automated letter (IMM 0127) confirming your continued authorization to work (often valid for 120 or 180 days).

This letter is your lifeline. If you travel, you must have this letter with you upon return. It proves to the airline and the border officer that you are authorized to work while the application is pending (IRCC, 2024).

Common Problem: What if the letter expires while you are away?

• Technically, your maintained status continues until a decision is made, even if the letter date passes. However, explaining this to an airline agent in a foreign country can be a nightmare.

Our Strategic Advice: “Stay Put” if Possible

Because of the risks involving airline staff denial and border officer discretion, our general advice to clients is: Do not travel unless it is an emergency.

If you must travel, carry this “Re-Entry Packet”:

1. Valid Passport & TRV/eTA.

2. WP-EXT Letter (The “interim work” confirmation).

3. Proof of PGWP Application (Copy of the submission confirmation).

4. Proof of Graduation (Transcript or completion letter).

5. Proof of Employment (Job offer or paystubs to show you have a reason to return).

How We Can Help: Secure Your PGWP & Travel Plans

Navigating the border with a “pending” application is high-risk. At Cambria Law, we protect your status before you even pack your bags.

• The “Travel Audit”: We review your specific file (Study Permit expiry, TRV validity, and application date) to determine if leaving Canada will void your work rights.

• Attorney Opinion Letters: For clients who must travel, we draft a legal letter for you to present to the Border Officer. This letter cites Regulation 186(w) and clearly explains your right to re-enter as a worker, preventing confusion at the airport.

• Restoration of Status: Did you already leave and lose your status? We file urgent Restoration Applications to fix the gap in your record.

Don’t Guess at the Border. If you leave and lose your ability to work, you cannot undo it.

BOOK A TRAVEL & STATUS CONSULTATION

References

1. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. (2024). Authorization to work without a work permit – International students. Program Delivery Instructions. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/study-permits/campus-work.html
2. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. (2024). Can I leave Canada and come back while my application is being processed? IRCC Help Centre. Retrieved from https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=1309

3. Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, SOR/2002-227, s. 186(w). Retrieved from https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-2002-227/section-186.html