---
title: My work permit was approved. What do I do next?
description: Once approved, bring your passport, LOI, proof of travel medical insurance and $2,500 CAD in support funds to the border to activate your work permit.
---
[Skip to content](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/kb/work-travel-canada/work-permit-approved-next-steps#main-content)
English - United States
Show submenu for translations
Open main navigation
Close main navigation
- English - United States
Show submenu for translations
- Contact us
Contact us
How can we help you?
- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.
1. [Working Abroad - Participants](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad?hsLang=en-us)
2. [Work & Travel Canada](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us)
3. [After You Apply](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#after-you-apply)
# My work permit was approved. What do I do next?
## What to bring to the border, insurance, SIN and other prep after your LOI arrives.
Congratulations! Your next step is to [activate your work permit at the border](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/iec/prepare-arrival.html), where you'll show your passport, your LOI, proof of travel medical insurance and proof of support funds. You can enter Canada any time up to one year after your LOI is issued.
## What to show at the border
- **Your passport**, valid for more than one year or at least 6 months past your intended stay
- **Your LOI**
- **Proof of travel medical insurance.** Print a copy of your "declaration of insurance" or your policy coverage details.
- **Proof of support funds** equal to $2,500 CAD, usually shown in your banking app or on a recently printed statement
Bring all of this, plus any supporting documents you used in your application (like police records or a medical exam), printed in a folder with digital backups. It makes things easy at the border. Our [Border FAQs](https://www.interexchange.org/programs/travel-experiences-for-u-s-residents/work-travel-canada/resources/#border) and the [CBSA border checklist](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/checklist-aidememoire-eng.html) have more detail.
## Read and watch before you go
Read the [SWAP handbook](https://iex-website.s3.amazonaws.com/pdfs/2026-Canada-Pre-Departure-Guide.pdf) and plan to attend SWAP's arrival orientation. We highly recommend it. In the meantime, this [15-minute border video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGR1zf8tUnM) covers the most common questions about going to the border. Set aside time to read everything here and on the linked pages.
## Entering Canada
- **Check your work permit before you leave the border.** Make sure your name, date of birth, date of entry and expiry date are all correct.
- **Pick your border crossing.** All border points should operate 24/7. Check wait times and information for your crossing on the [CBSA website](https://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/gbi-rgf-eng.html), and consider avoiding the [busiest ports of entry](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/bwt-taf/menu-eng.html) at busy times. We highly recommend you don't use any of the 3 Niagara area border points.
- **Flagpoling:** If you're exiting Canada just to re-enter, US citizens are exempt from flagpoling restrictions, according to the [Government of Canada](https://www.canada.ca/en/border-services-agency/news/2024/12/ending-flagpoling-for-work-and-study-permits-at-the-border.html).
- **Items you're bringing:** Check the procedures for [items you bring into Canada](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/mrc-drc-eng.html). If you're using a moving truck or bringing valuables, consider filling out a [customs form](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/bsf186-eng.html) in advance. If you're driving your car in or bringing a pet, contact us for information.
- **Flying?** You can submit a customs [Advance Declaration](https://www.canada.ca/en/border-services-agency/services/arrivecan.html).
- **Register your trip.** We highly recommend enrolling in the US Department of State's [Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)](https://mytravel.state.gov/s/step?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21758807661&gbraid=0AAAAAqbBk5uAcgIA-tzkbKLnxx_SFhnpU&gclid=CjwKCAjwpMTCBhA-EiwA_-MsmRBy0i6m9hcSsWE6ahYNG4tqbAsuZyx6YKTXv5q-1MT34J61Yga30RoCS4MQAvD_BwE). It's free, and it lets the local US embassy know where you are in case of an emergency.
## Travel medical insurance
All IEC participants must have travel medical insurance to activate their work permit, no matter what other medical coverage you have. See our [list of insurance companies](https://www.interexchange.org/programs/travel-experiences-for-u-s-residents/which-travel-medical-insurance-should-i-use/) and this [one-page guide to finding coverage](https://iex-website.s3.amazonaws.com/pdfs/travel-medical-insurance-canada.pdf). Your coverage dates need to cover the entire time you plan to stay in Canada (up to one year). The Government of Canada explains the [type of coverage required](https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=939&top=25). Restrictions may apply if you live in New York State or are traveling to Qu�bec, so contact us if either applies to you.
## Your SIN
Before you can start working, you need to [activate your SIN](https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/sin/qualify.html) (Social Insurance Number) once you have your activated permit. You can do it in person, which SWAP recommends, or online. SWAP's arrival orientation covers the details.
## Thinking about a second year?
Plan well ahead. Contact us in September 2026 about the 2027 program.
SWAP will be your main source of support from here, but we're still here if you need us. To reach us, contact us at workabroad@interexchange.org or (800) 597-3675.
- [General](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/general?hsLang=en-us#main-content)
- [Program Basics](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/general?hsLang=en-us#program-basics)
- [Work & Travel Canada](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#main-content)
- [After You Apply](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#after-you-apply)
- [Costs & Payment](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#costs-payment)
- [Second Year & Young Professional](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#second-year-young-professional)
- [Arriving in Canada](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#arriving-in-canada)
- [Getting Started](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#getting-started)
- [Applying](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#applying)
- [Living & Working in Canada](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#living-working-in-canada)
- [American Summer Exchange](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/american-summer-exchange?hsLang=en-us#main-content)
- [Program Basics](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/american-summer-exchange?hsLang=en-us#program-basics)
- [Germany](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/germany?hsLang=en-us#main-content)
- [Program Basics](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/germany?hsLang=en-us#program-basics)
- [Work & Travel Australia](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-australia?hsLang=en-us#main-content)
- [Visa](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-australia?hsLang=en-us#visa)
- [Program Basics](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-australia?hsLang=en-us#program-basics)
[](http://www.interexchange.org)
[mailto:email@email.com](mailto:email@email.com)
Copyright © 2026, InterExchange