Can I travel internationally post ITA?

The express entry process is a practically online process. While there are no legal restrictions, you gotta think about the following aspects depending upon how long you plan to be away. 

1. Express entry draws are held every 15 days. You now only have 60 days instead of 90 to submit your documents. Ensure that you have internet access at all times so that you don't miss the notifications.
2. You can prepare the attachments for proof of work (this should be recent within 6 months, especially if you are currently employed) and education since those won't change.  While we definitely don't recommend carrying your physical documents to an international destination,  have photo copies of all your documents on Google drive so that you can access them anywhere.
3. While you can plan a lot of things, few things like PCC, medical, funds etc. are advisable to be done only post-ITA because they have to be procured within 6 months of your application submission. In other words, if you get an invite on say 1st June and you finally submit your documents on 1st August, then your documents should have been dated after 1st February to be considered valid.
4. Medical tests are expensive (For a family of 2,  it cost us 1000 USD).  You don't want to do them twice. Depending on the length of your trip, you might want to check if there is a CIC registered physician,  who can do tests. Also, remember that there is lab work too and so your results will come a few days later. 
5. Police clearance certificates for different countries have various processes. If the destination is far off from embassies then plan accordingly on how you would procure those certificates. 
6. If you have been following the CRS scores and your score (calculated with the profile and NOT the free tool) is well within the CRS trends then you can plan on getting PCC and proof of funds just before your trip but preferably after you submit your profile in express entry pool. Like mutual funds, past performance isn't the guarantee of future success, CRS trends although a good benchmark cannot guarantee when you would get an invite. Different agencies may charge you for giving you PCC and proof of funds but it isn't as costly as medical tests.
7. Revisit your travel history before submission and if this visit not between your country of birth and residence then make sure that you add it there. Only biographical page of passport is needed. However, you upload the entire passport then make sure that it includes your latest stamp!
8. If you travel internationally post document submission, please communicate to IRCC with a explanation about the same with dates so that they are aware.
9. If you are away internationally when you get the golden email then you have some planning to do.  If you are from a non-exempt country (that needs a visa to visit Canada for the 1st time) , you will have to send the passports of everyone in your family to IRCC within 30 days of receiving the email. So plan accordingly!

Hope this helps you plan your trip while also preparing you for your Canadian adventure!

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