Do I need a separate permit to travel outside Canada while under temporary protection status?

Obtaining temporary protection status in Canada, particularly under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program or other humanitarian initiatives, gives refugees and asylum seekers the right to stay in the country, work, and study. However, the question often arises: can you freely leave Canada, for example, for short trips to the US or Europe, and do you need to obtain a separate permit to do so? After all, violating the conditions of entry or exit can lead to loss of status, deportation, or difficulties with returning.

In this article, we will look at the rules governing border crossings while under temporary protection status, whether additional documents are required, what exactly you need to have with you, and provide recommendations on how to maintain your immigration status and not lose your legal right to stay in Canada.

Temporary Protection Status and Travel Documents

Individuals who have arrived in Canada under the CUAET program usually receive:

  • a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) in their passport or in the form of an electronic authorization, valid for up to three years
  • an open work permit, which allows them to work without additional approvals
  • the right to study without having to apply separately for a study permit

These documents recognize your legal status in Canada. However, none of them are documents for multiple entries outside Canada: to leave and return, you need a TRV with multiple-entry visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA) if you do not need a visa to enter under the general rules.

A passport without a TRV marked “Single entry” will only allow you to enter Canada once. After leaving and returning, you will need a new visa. Therefore, when obtaining a TRV under CUAET, it is important to check whether it has an “M” (multiple) visa stamp. Multiple entries are usually granted to all CUAET participants, but it is worth confirming this immediately.

Crossing the US and Australian borders: special conditions

Canada has a land border with the US, which is controlled by two agencies: the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Even if your Canadian TRV is multiple entry, you must meet one of the following conditions to travel to the US:

  • A US visa of the appropriate category (B-1/B-2 tourist) if you are planning a short trip
  • Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) if you are a citizen of a country participating in the Visa Waiver Program (currently not applicable to Ukrainians)
  • K-1 or other non-immigrant visa if this applies to a special situation

After traveling to the US, you must present your Canadian TRV and passport to return to Canada. If you have a single-entry visa, it will be canceled after you leave, and you will need a new one to return.

For travel to other countries, such as the EU or Australia, you must comply with the individual visa requirements of those countries. Your Canadian status does not grant you air or visa privileges in other countries.

Air travel and eTA

If you do not need a visa to enter Canada (for example, if you have temporary resident status from certain countries), you will need an eTA when crossing the air border. However, CUAET participants receive a TRV visa, so an eTA is not required for them. Instead:

  • make sure your TRV is valid until your return date

  • inform the airline that you have a CUAET visa when you check in

The only document you need to have is a valid passport with a multiple-entry visa.

Applying for an eTA and the difference between an eTA and a TRV

For those who do not have a visitor visa but have an open work or study permit, an eTA allows entry into Canada by air. An eTA costs CAD $7 and is valid for five years or until your passport expires. However, the eTA does not work at land borders — only for air travel.

CUAET participants apply for a TRV, and the eTA is not used. It is important to distinguish between these documents and not confuse them.

Departure and return procedure: what to bring with you

When planning a trip outside Canada, bring with you:

  • a valid passport
  • a valid TRV marked “many-entry”
  • a work permit letter or study permit letter if your TRV does not contain information about an open permit
  • copies of your Confirmation of Permanent Residence or other documents confirming your stay

Present the originals of these documents at each border crossing (CBSA, CBP, immigration airport kiosks). If you lose them during your trip, immediately contact the consular section of Ukraine to renew your passport and the Canadian immigration center to obtain an emergency travel document.

What to do if your TRV is canceled

If, upon your return, you find that your TRV has been lost, damaged, or canceled, you should:

  • Contact the CBSA — explain the situation and show the police report on the loss of documents

  • If you are at the airport, find the Port of Entry service, where you can apply for a temporary travel document (Visitor Record) for immediate entry

  • upon your return, submit a full application for TRV renewal through VAC or the IRCC online platform (forms IMM 5556 and IMM 5710) with a police report, new passport, and proof of your stay Remember: until a decision on renewal is made, your “maintained” status is not valid at the air border, but CBSA usually allows entry with a valid travel document.

Tips for staying legal

  • Check the expiry date of your TRV before you travel — at least one month before your return.

  • Carry copies of your documents in electronic and paper form.

  • Register with the Canadian immigration system MyCIC — track IRCC notifications.

  • Do not violate the terms of your permit — do not work without permission, do not study without confirmation of status

  • Submit applications for status renewal (IMM 5710) and biometrics on time, even if you are traveling while your application is being processed

Conclusion

Travel outside Canada while on temporary protection status is possible if you have a multiple-entry TRV or a valid eTA for air travel. However, each case has its own nuances: the land border with the US, the air border, and the loss of documents while traveling. The main thing is to carefully check the validity of your visa, carry originals and copies, and in case of loss or cancellation, immediately contact the CBSA and VAC to restore your status.

The most important thing is not to risk returning with an invalid visa or without documents. Careful preparation, attentive attitude to documents, and knowledge of renewal procedures will help you maintain your legal status and avoid difficulties when crossing borders.