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Living outside Canada

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You can keep getting OAS outside Canada if you lived in Canada for at least 20 years after age 18, or if a social security agreement helps you reach 20 years. GIS stops if you are away for more than 6 months in a row. CPP can be paid abroad. Non-resident tax of up to 25% is taken from both, and some tax treaties lower it.

Check if you qualify

Key facts

Years in Canada to keep OAS while living abroad
20 years after age 18 (an agreement may help you reach this)
GIS outside Canada
Stops after more than 6 months in a row outside Canada
Non-resident tax on OAS and CPP
25% or less, depending on tax treaties
Form to ask for less non-resident tax
NR5 (covers 5 tax years)
OAS Return of Income (form T1136) for 2025
Due April 30, 2026, unless you live in a listed treaty country

Can you get OAS outside Canada?

Yes, if you lived in Canada for at least 20 years after age 18. You must also have been a Canadian citizen or legal resident on the day you left Canada. If you have fewer than 20 years, your OAS may stop after you have been away for more than 6 months.

If you lived and worked in a country that has a social security agreement with Canada, your time there may be added to your years in Canada to reach the 20 years. Your payment is still based only on your years in Canada. See our partial OAS guide for how the amount is worked out.

If you apply for OAS from outside Canada, you must use the paper application. Send it to the Service Canada office in the last province or territory where you lived.

What happens to GIS if you leave Canada?

The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is for people who live in Canada. It stops if you are outside Canada for more than 6 months in a row, no matter how long you lived in Canada before. Under the law, GIS is not paid for any month you spend fully outside Canada after you have already been away for 6 months in a row.

Call Service Canada before you leave for more than 6 months. Service Canada says this helps prevent overpayments that you may have to pay back. When you come back, call again to restart your payments. You must also keep filing your Canadian tax return by April 30 each year so your GIS can be renewed.

If GIS keeps arriving after you have been away more than 6 months, do not spend it. You will likely have to repay it. See our overpayments guide.

Can you get CPP if you live outside Canada?

Yes. The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is based on your contributions, not on how long you lived in Canada. Service Canada pays CPP and OAS to people living in other countries. Payments can be issued in the local currency of many countries. If you move to another country, allow an extra month for payments to reach your new address.

If you worked in another country that has an agreement with Canada, you may also qualify for a pension from that country. Each country pays its own pension based on your time under its plan.

How much tax is taken off OAS and CPP for non-residents?

If you are a non-resident of Canada for tax purposes, Service Canada automatically deducts non-resident tax from your OAS and CPP at 25% or less. The rate depends on any tax treaty between Canada and the country where you live. A treaty can reduce or remove the tax. You will receive an NR4 slip instead of a T4 slip each year.

You may be able to pay less tax by filing form NR5, Application by a Non-Resident of Canada for a Reduction in the Amount of Non-Resident Tax Required to be Withheld. One approved NR5 covers 5 tax years. In return, you must file a section 217 tax return for each of those years, within 6 months after the end of each year.

What is the OAS Return of Income?

Non-residents who get OAS may have to file an Old Age Security Return of Income (OASRI) each year on form T1136. It reports your world income so the OAS recovery tax (clawback) can be worked out. For the 2025 tax year, it was due April 30, 2026. Filing on time helps make sure Service Canada does not suspend your OAS. If you owe recovery tax, it may be taken from your monthly OAS starting with the July payment.

You do not need to file the OASRI if all of these are true: you lived in one of the countries on CRA's list at the end of the year, you received OAS during that year, and you do not plan to move to a country that is not on the list before July 1 of the year after next. The list includes the United States, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Australia, Portugal, Spain and others. Check CRA's current list before you decide not to file.

Steps before you move abroad

  1. Count your years in Canada after age 18. If you have fewer than 20, ask Service Canada whether your OAS will continue and whether an agreement helps.
  2. Call Service Canada to report your move and new address before you leave for more than 6 months.
  3. Set up how you will be paid. Ask about payment in local currency or a foreign bank account.
  4. Ask the Canada Revenue Agency whether you will become a non-resident for tax, and whether NR5 makes sense for you.
  5. Check your provincial health plan rules. Each province limits how long you can be away and stay covered. Buy private health insurance for the time you are not covered.
  6. Keep a mailing address or online account so you see letters from Service Canada and CRA on time.

What if Service Canada stops your OAS or GIS?

You will receive a decision letter. If you think it is wrong, ask for a reconsideration in writing within 90 days of receiving it. If you still disagree, you can appeal to the Social Security Tribunal. See our guides on asking for a decision to be reviewed and on appealing to the Social Security Tribunal.

To challenge a CRA tax decision, such as an assessment of non-resident tax, file a notice of objection with CRA instead.

Things people often miss

Where to get free help

This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. For questions about benefits, call Service Canada. For tax, call CRA. If a benefit is stopped and you want help to challenge it, a community legal clinic in Ontario, or legal aid in other provinces, may help at no cost. Your Member of Parliament's constituency office can also ask about your file.

Who to contact

Common questions

Can I collect OAS if I live outside Canada?

Yes, if you lived in Canada for at least 20 years after age 18, or if a social security agreement helps you reach 20 years. Otherwise, OAS may stop after more than 6 months away.

Does GIS stop if I leave Canada?

Yes, GIS stops if you are outside Canada for more than 6 months in a row. Call Service Canada before you go and again when you return.

Can I get my CPP if I move to another country?

Yes. CPP is based on your contributions and is paid to people living outside Canada. Non-resident tax may be deducted.

How much tax is taken off OAS for non-residents?

Up to 25%. A tax treaty between Canada and your country can reduce or remove it.

What is form NR5?

It asks CRA to lower the non-resident tax taken from your pension. An approval covers 5 tax years, and you must file a section 217 return for each year.

Do I have to file the OAS Return of Income?

Non-residents who get OAS usually must file form T1136 by April 30. You may not need to if you live in a country on CRA's list and meet its conditions.

Will I lose my provincial health coverage if I live abroad?

You may. Each province sets its own limit on time away. Check with your provincial health plan before you leave.

How do I restart GIS when I move back to Canada?

Call Service Canada when you return and ask it to restart your payments.

Sources

  1. Old Age Security - Do you qualify (Government of Canada)
  2. Old Age Security - While receiving OAS (Government of Canada)
  3. Guaranteed Income Supplement - While receiving GIS (Government of Canada)
  4. Old Age Security - Apply, delay, or change your start date (Government of Canada)
  5. Lived or living outside Canada - Pensions and benefits: Eligibility (Government of Canada)
  6. Lived or living outside Canada - While receiving (Government of Canada)
  7. Contact International Social Security Agreements (Government of Canada)
  8. Managing your taxes (CPP and OAS) (Government of Canada)
  9. IC76-12 Applicable rate of Part XIII tax on amounts paid or credited to persons in countries with which Canada has a tax convention (Canada Revenue Agency)
  10. Form NR5 - 5-year Administrative Policy (Canada Revenue Agency)
  11. Old Age Security Return of Income (OASRI) (Canada Revenue Agency)
  12. Contact the CRA - Electing under section 217 (Canada Revenue Agency)
  13. Old Age Security Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. O-9) (Justice Laws Website, Government of Canada)
  14. Contact Old Age Security (Government of Canada)

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