Foreign nationals in Canada can visit the French territory of St. Pierre and Miquelon and return to Canada without needing a multiple-entry visa. Under Section 190(3)(f) of the Canadian immigration regulations, your single-entry Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) remains valid for re-entry from this specific territory, provided your authorized stay in Canada has not yet expired.
Located just 25 kilometres off the coast of Newfoundland, St. Pierre and Miquelon is a unique geographical anomaly. 🇫🇷 It is a self-governing territorial overseas collectivity of France. For international students, temporary workers, and tourists currently living in Canada, the prospect of experiencing authentic French culture, cuisine, and European charm without crossing the Atlantic Ocean is incredibly appealing. However, because you are technically leaving North America and entering the French Republic, border anxiety is common.
Usually, if you hold a single-entry Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) for Canada, leaving the country means that your visa is immediately cancelled. To get back in, you would normally have to apply and pay for a brand new visa. Fortunately, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recognizes the unique geographical situation of this territory. The law provides a very specific exemption allowing temporary residents to travel to St. Pierre and Miquelon (and the United States) and re-enter Canada smoothly, bypassing the strict single-entry cancellation rules.
Step-by-Step Process in Canada and the Territory
If you are planning a trip from St. John’s, Newfoundland to the French islands, you must ensure your paperwork is flawless for both the French border police (Police aux Frontières) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Here is the step-by-step process for utilizing this unique visa exemption.
Step 1: Validate Your Current Canadian Status
Before booking any ferry tickets, you must check the expiry date on your Canadian Study Permit, Work Permit, or Visitor Record. The IRCC exemption only works if you are returning to Canada before your authorized period of stay expires. If your permit expires while you are eating croissants in St. Pierre, the CBSA officer will not let you back into Canada, regardless of the geographic exemption.
Step 2: Check French Entry Requirements
While Canada makes it easy for you to return, you still need permission from France to enter. St. Pierre and Miquelon is not part of the European Schengen Area. The visa rules here are entirely different from the rules for flying to Paris. Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a specific “Overseas France” visa through the French Embassy in Canada before your trip. Citizens of many countries (like the US, UK, and Australia) can enter visa-free, but you must verify this based on your passport.
Step 3: Travel via Ferry or Air
Most travellers take the passenger ferry from Fortune, Newfoundland, which takes about 90 minutes to reach St. Pierre. Alternatively, you can take a short flight from St. John’s, Halifax, or Montreal. When you arrive, you will pass through French customs. Keep your Canadian immigration documents secure, as you will need them shortly.
Step 4: Re-entering Canada via CBSA
When your vacation is over, you will face the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) upon your return. Present your passport, your expired single-entry TRV, and your valid Study/Work Permit or Visitor Record. Tell the officer you are returning exclusively from St. Pierre and Miquelon. The officer will apply Section 190(3)(f) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, allowing you to re-enter Canada to finish out the remainder of your authorized stay.
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
The beauty of this IRCC exemption is that it saves you the cost of applying for a brand new Canadian visa. However, you must still budget for the travel and potential French visa costs. Below are estimated expenses in CAD as of June 2026.
| Canadian Re-entry Fee | $0 CAD (Exempt under regulations) |
| French Overseas Visa (If required) | Approx. $100 – $150 CAD |
| Ferry (Fortune, NL to St. Pierre) | $65 – $95 CAD (Round trip) |
| Flight (St. John’s to St. Pierre) | $400 – $600+ CAD |
How Long Does the Process Take?
The administrative timeline for this trip happens largely at the border. If you require a French visa to enter the territory, applying at the French consulate in Canada can take 2 to 4 weeks, so plan ahead. Once you actually travel, clearing French customs usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. Upon returning to Newfoundland, the CBSA officer will simply scan your documents, verify your valid Canadian permit, and wave you through in a matter of minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does this exemption apply if I visit the United States too?
Yes. The exact same regulation (Section 190(3)(f)) applies to both St. Pierre and Miquelon and the United States. If you hold a single-entry Canadian TRV, you can visit the USA or St. Pierre and Miquelon and return to Canada without needing a new visa, as long as you visit nowhere else during that trip.
What if I take a cruise that stops in St. Pierre and then the Bahamas?
The exemption is immediately voided. To qualify for re-entry into Canada on a single-entry visa, your travel must be solely and exclusively to the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon. If your cruise ship docks in a third country (like the Bahamas or Mexico), you must apply for a new Canadian TRV to return.
Do I need an eTA to fly back from St. Pierre?
If you are from a visa-exempt country (like the UK or Japan), you need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly into Canada. Additionally, under regulations introduced on June 5, 2026, most visa-exempt foreign nationals traveling to Canada by sea (including passenger ferries, private boats, and commercial vessels) from St. Pierre and Miquelon must also obtain an approved eTA before boarding. Exceptions to this marine rule apply only to US citizens and lawful permanent residents, cruise ship passengers, seafarers, and French citizens who reside in St. Pierre and Miquelon.
Can I renew my Canadian Study Permit while in St. Pierre?
No. If your Canadian status is expiring, you must submit your extension application to IRCC while you are physically inside Canada. If you leave Canada and travel to St. Pierre and Miquelon while your extension is processing, you lose your “maintained status” and may face issues re-entering.
Leave a Reply