Student Return to India from Canada: PGWP and Tax Guide
Student return from Canada: PGWP exit, CRA departure filing, T2202 records, and India landing checklist for 2026.
The 60-second version
Student return from Canada needs PGWP or study permit exit plan, CRA non-resident filing, T2202 tuition records, and India landing tasks — OCI holders skip visa but still need tax and banking redesignation.
PGWP clock and India tax residency start on different dates — align both before you book the flight
Student return to India from Canada usually follows PGWP expiry or early exit after degree — CRA treats you as non-resident from departure date if you sever residential ties.
Keep T2202, NOA, and bank closure letters for India ITR and Schedule FA if you held Canadian brokerage or savings during study years.
Canada guide: moving back from Canada for full tax residency exit.
Student exit matrix
| Item | Canada action | India action |
|---|---|---|
| PGWP | Expiry or surrender | OCI entry |
| CRA | File departure year | RNOR/ROR check |
| Bank | Close or dormant | NRE/NRO open |
| RRSP/TFSA | Keep or withdraw | Schedule FA if kept |
Return sequence
PGWP plan
Expiry vs early exit.
CRA notify
Departure date.
Close ties
Lease, phone, bank.
Fly India
OCI + customs.
Land setup
PAN, bank, SIM.
Flow
Canada student kit
- T2202.
- PGWP letter.
- CRA NOA.
- Bank closure.
- Degree transcripts.
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OCI vs visa
OCI holders do not need a separate India entry visa — still carry passport, OCI card, and address proof for FRRO if stay exceeds 180 days.
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PGWP unused?
You may return before PGWP expiry — unused PGWP months are forfeited; no India tax impact.
RRSP?
See RRSP guide — withholding applies on withdrawal as non-resident.
RNOR?
If you were NRI during study abroad, return may open RNOR window — see RNOR guide.
School in India?
Children need board transfer docs — see school admission guide.
TFSA?
TFSA after moving guide covers post-departure contribution rules.
Work experience?
Canadian work experience does not transfer to India EPFO — start UAN on first India job.
The plan is only as good as the sequence.
Tax, banking, schools, shipping — they all have dependencies. A wrong order costs months and lakhs. Get it right.