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Returning to Canada on a valid work permit after 6+ months abroad: what to expect

Canada • Work Permit • work 0 views
By VisaBuddies Communityvia community — compiled from public visa forums

Documents Needed

  • Valid work permit and TRV

    Confirm both are still valid before booking travel.

  • Proof of funds

    If not currently employed, be ready to show how you'll support yourself — one member showed ~CAD $5,000–6,000 at the border.

Step-by-Step

A worker with a 3-year work permit and 5-year TRV stayed in India for about 7 months and asked whether re-entry would be a problem.

  1. Verify both documents are valid. The first check members asked for: is the work permit AND the TRV still valid? If yes, you can travel — long absences don't cancel either document.


  1. Be aware of the possible medical exam rule. Two members raised that staying 6+ months in certain designated countries can trigger an immigration medical exam requirement, but were unsure whether it applies to re-entry on an existing permit or only to new applications. Their advice: call IRCC and confirm before flying rather than relying on group guesses.


  1. Expect standard questions at the port of entry. A member who returned after a 2-month vacation with a valid permit and TRV reported the officer's only questions were: do you have a job right now, and if not, how will you fund yourself? Showing around CAD $5,000–6,000 in available funds satisfied the officer.


  1. Overall consensus: with valid documents there is nothing inherently wrong with going back and forth; prepare an honest answer about your employment situation and carry proof of funds if you're between jobs.

Dos, Don'ts & Tips

  • Do: Call IRCC to confirm whether a 6+ month stay abroad triggers a medical exam requirement for your situation — group members disagreed on this.
  • Do: Carry proof of funds and a clear answer about your job situation for the port-of-entry interview.
  • Don't: Don't assume a long absence cancels a still-valid work permit or TRV — validity dates are what matter.

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