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Getting OAS While Living Outside Canada: The 20-Year Rule

You can keep receiving OAS abroad if you lived in Canada at least 20 years after age 18, or reach 20 years by adding time in a country with a social security agreement. The GIS is different: it stops if you are out of Canada for more than 6 months.

By Fact-checked by Samuel Athur

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OAS abroad

You can receive OAS while living outside Canada if either:

  • You lived in Canada at least 20 years after turning 18, or
  • You lived and worked in a country that has a social security agreement with Canada, and your time in both countries adds up to at least 20 years.

With fewer than 20 years and no agreement, OAS stops after 6 months away.

GIS and the Allowance abroad

These are only for people living in Canada. Payments may stop if you are outside Canada for more than 6 months.

Before you leave for more than 6 months

Contact Service Canada before you go. This helps avoid overpayments you would have to repay. Call again when you return to restart payments.

Service Canada compares its records with the Canada Border Services Agency.

Taxes if you live abroad

Non-resident tax may be deducted from your OAS. The rate depends on your country. You may still owe the OAS recovery tax if your world income is high.

Applying from outside Canada

You must use the paper form (ISP-3550). Send it to the Service Canada office in the last province or territory you lived in. You can view your information in My Service Canada Account, but must contact Service Canada to update your address or banking.

Phone numbers

CPP and OAS (also Personal Access Codes for returning CPP/OAS clients)

1-800-277-9914

Agents: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm local time. Automated: 24/7.

From outside Canada and the U.S.: 1-613-957-1954 (collect, Eastern time)

TTY: 1-800-255-4786

Related

Who Qualifies for Old Age Security? OAS Eligibility Rules You qualify for Old Age Security at 65 if you are a Canadian citizen or legal resident and have lived in Canada at least 10 years since age 18. If you live outside Canada, you need at least 20 years. You don't need to have worked, but income over $152,062 (age 65 to 74) means no OAS. Partial OAS Pension: How Years in Canada Affect Your Amount If you lived in Canada fewer than 40 years after age 18, you get a partial OAS pension: the years you lived here divided by 40. With 20 years, you get 50% of the full pension, about $381.25 a month for October to December 2026. You need at least 10 years, or 20 if you live abroad. Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) 2026: Amounts and Income Limits The Guaranteed Income Supplement is a tax-free monthly payment for low-income seniors who get OAS. For October to December 2026, a single senior can get up to $1,138.90 a month if their income is under $23,112. Most people are enrolled automatically with their OAS.

Frequently asked questions

Can I collect OAS if I retire in another country?

Yes, if you lived in Canada at least 20 years after 18, or reach 20 years with time in a country that has a social security agreement with Canada.

How long can I travel and keep my GIS?

GIS may stop if you are outside Canada for more than 6 months. Tell Service Canada before a long trip.

Sources

North Help Desk is an independent guide, not a government website. Rules, amounts and phone hours can change; always confirm on the official page before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.