Disability/Personal Injury

Can You Travel While on Short-Term Disability in Canada?

January 17, 2026

travelling while on short-term disability in Canada

Yes — you can sometimes travel while on short-term disability (STD) in Canada, but only if your doctor approves the trip, your treatment continues, and the travel does not interfere with your recovery.

Many STD plans — especially those offered through Canadian employers and insurance companies — require strict ongoing treatment, so travelling without approval can lead to your benefits being delayed, reduced, or cut off entirely.

This guide explains what Canadians need to know before travelling while on STD.

👉 Broader overview: See our complete guide on Can You Travel While on Disability in Canada.

Is Travel Allowed on Short-Term Disability?

Yes, but there are strict conditions.

Most STD plans require you to:

Get medical approval for the trip
Tell the insurer or employer before travelling
Stay consistent with your treatment plan
Avoid activities that contradict your medical limitations
Be reachable for claim updates or further information

STD travel is treated very differently than LTD travel — because STD is meant for active recovery, not long-term maintenance.

👉 We explain rules for LTD in more detail in our guide on travelling while on long-term disability.

Do You Need Permission to Travel on STD?

Almost always, yes.

Most Canadians receiving STD benefits must notify:

Their insurance provider (Sun Life, Canada Life, Manulife, Desjardins, etc.)
Their employer’s HR department

Common requirements include:

A doctor’s note
Dates and location of the trip
Confirmation that you will continue treatment
Contact information while travelling

⚠️ If you fail to notify them, they may argue you are not cooperating with treatment.

👉 If you’re unsure about your rights, our guide on short-term disability in Canada explains how STD benefits work and when insurers can deny claims.

Travelling Within Canada vs. Outside Canada on STD

Travelling Within Canada

Often easier, as you can:

Maintain local or virtual medical appointments
Access Canadian healthcare
Remain reachable

But you still need approval.

Travelling Outside Canada

Usually much stricter because:

Treatment may be disrupted
Insurance providers cannot easily verify medical updates
Time zone differences may impact communication
Unplanned medical visits abroad are hard to document

International travel often requires stronger medical justification.

What Types of Travel Are Usually Approved?

STD providers commonly approve:

Low-activity, restful trips
Visiting family for support
Travel recommended by your doctor for stress, burnout, anxiety, or depression
Short trips that fit your medical plan
Travel to access treatment elsewhere

If your trip helps your health — not harms it — approval is more likely.

What Types of Travel Raise Red Flags?

STD insurers may question or deny benefits if your trip involves:

Long walks, hiking, or physical activity
Heavy luggage or long airport travel
Cruises, adventure travel, or high-activity vacations
Missing physiotherapy or counselling appointments
Social media posts that appear inconsistent with your limitations
Ignoring requests for updates
Staying out of Canada for extended periods

It’s not the travel itself — it’s whether your activity matches your medical restrictions.

Can Travel Cause Your STD Benefits to Be Cut Off?

Yes.
Your benefits may be reduced or terminated if the insurer believes that travel:

Delays your recovery
Shows physical ability inconsistent with your claim
Makes you unreachable
Causes you to miss treatment
Suggests you are fit for modified work
Violates policy rules

Even genuine medical leave can be questioned if your travel appears inconsistent.

⚠️ If your insurer stopped payments after travel, you may be dealing with disability benefits denied in Canada.

Do Insurance Companies Use Surveillance for STD Travel?

Sometimes, yes.
Insurers may monitor public social media posts or engage in short-term surveillance if:

They suspect the travel contradicts medical restrictions
The trip is long or physically demanding
The claimant has had previous inconsistencies

Surveillance increases around holidays and vacation seasons.

How to Protect Your STD Benefits Before Travelling

Get medical approval in writing
A simple note confirming the trip supports or won’t delay recovery.
Inform your insurer AND employer
Provide dates, purpose, and contact info.
Maintain treatment
If you normally attend weekly appointments, arrange virtual or comparable alternatives.
Keep activities consistent with your restrictions
Your behaviour on the trip should look like your medical reports.
Be cautious on social media
Posts can be easily misinterpreted.
Respond quickly to insurer requests
If they cannot reach you, they may suspend benefits.

Short-Term Disability vs. Vacation Time

STD is not the same as vacation time.

Taking a vacation during STD is allowed only when medically appropriate.
If the employer thinks the trip is purely recreational rather than restorative, they may challenge the legitimacy of your leave.

👉 If you’re not receiving insurance benefits but are on employer-approved leave, different rules may apply — see our guide on travelling while on medical leave.

Frequently Asked Questions