Canada Work Permit Extension | Extend Work Permit Canada | How to Extend Your Work Permit

If your Canadian work permit is about to expire, you may be able to extend it and continue working in Canada.

The most important step is to apply before your current work permit expires.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recommends applying at least 30 days before the expiry date.

This guide explains how to extend a Canada work permit, who can apply, what documents may be required, what happens if your permit expires and how maintained status works.

What Is a Canada Work Permit Extension?

A work permit extension allows an eligible foreign worker to continue working in Canada beyond the expiry date of their existing work permit.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be applying to:

• Extend the duration of your current work permit

• Change conditions on your work permit

• Change employers

• Change your occupation or other conditions

• Extend an open work permit if you remain eligible

IRCC states that if an open work permit holder remains eligible for an open work permit, they may be able to extend it.

When Should You Apply to Extend Your Work Permit?

You should apply at least 30 days before your current work permit expires.

Applying early is important because processing can take time.

For example, if your work permit expires on December 31, you should not wait until the final few days to submit your application.

IRCC recommends applying at least 30 calendar days before expiry.

Can I Keep Working After My Work Permit Expires?

In many cases, yes.

If you applied to extend or change your work permit before your existing permit expired, you may have what Canada calls maintained status.

If eligible, you can remain in Canada and continue working while IRCC processes your application.

Extend Work Permit Canada

However, you generally must continue working under the same conditions as your previous work permit.

Example

Suppose you have an employer-specific work permit for:

Employer: ABC Company

Job: Cook

Location: Toronto

You submit your extension application before the permit expires.

If your application is still being processed after the expiry date, maintained status may allow you to continue working for the same employer, in the same job and at the same location, subject to the conditions of your original permit.

You should not assume that maintained status gives you permission to freely change employers.

What Is Maintained Status?

Maintained status is a legal provision that can allow a temporary resident to remain in Canada while IRCC processes an application to extend their status.

For workers who applied to extend their work permit before expiry, it can also allow them to continue working under the conditions of their original permit until a decision is made.

This is why applying before your work permit expires is extremely important.

Who Can Apply to Extend a Canada Work Permit?

Eligibility depends on the type of work permit and your circumstances.

You may be able to extend your work permit if:

• Your current work permit is still valid

• You remain eligible for the relevant work permit category

• Your employer-specific work permit can be extended

• Your employer has completed any required immigration steps

• You continue to meet the applicable requirements

• You hold an open work permit and remain eligible for an open work permit

IRCC specifically states that holders of open work permits may be able to extend them if they remain eligible for an open work permit.

Can an Employer-Specific Work Permit Be Extended?

Yes, an employer-specific work permit can potentially be extended.

However, the employer may have additional responsibilities.

Depending on the situation, the employer may need to obtain a new Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

If the job is LMIA-exempt, the employer may instead need to submit a new offer of employment through the Employer Portal and pay the applicable employer compliance fee.

The exact process depends on the worker's work permit category.

Can an Open Work Permit Be Extended?

Potentially, yes.

However, having an open work permit does not automatically mean that it can always be renewed.

You must still qualify for an open work permit under an eligible category at the time of application.

IRCC states that an open work permit holder may be able to extend their permit if they remain eligible to work in Canada with an open work permit.

Canada Work Permit Extension Requirements

The requirements depend on the applicant and work permit category.

Common requirements can include:

• Valid passport

• Current work permit

• Completed application

• Employment information

• New job offer or employment contract, where applicable

• LMIA, where required

• Employer compliance information, where applicable

• Proof of eligibility for an LMIA-exempt category, where applicable

• Medical examination, if required

• Biometrics, where applicable

• Other documents requested by IRCC

There is no single document checklist that applies to every work permit extension.

Canada Work Permit Extension Process

Step 1: Check Your Work Permit Expiry Date

Look carefully at your current work permit and determine when it expires.

Do not wait until the final days to begin preparing your extension.

Step 2: Determine Your Work Permit Category

Identify whether you have:

• Employer-specific work permit

• Open work permit

• Post-Graduation Work Permit

• LMIA-based work permit

• LMIA-exempt work permit

• Another specialized work permit

The extension requirements can differ significantly.

Step 3: Check Your Eligibility

Determine whether you still qualify for the same work permit category or another available category.

Step 4: Employer Completes Required Steps

For employer-specific permits, your employer may need to obtain a new LMIA or complete the appropriate LMIA-exempt employer process.

IRCC confirms that these employer steps may be required before a worker's permit can be extended.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Submit the appropriate work permit extension application before your current permit expires.

IRCC recommends applying at least 30 days before expiry.

Step 6: Provide Biometrics if Required

If IRCC requires biometrics for your application, complete them according to the instructions you receive.

Step 7: Wait for the Decision

IRCC will process your application and make a decision.

If you applied before your permit expired and qualify for maintained status, you may generally remain in Canada and continue working under your previous conditions while waiting.

How Much Does It Cost to Extend a Canada Work Permit?

IRCC currently lists the work permit processing fee as CAD $155 for a standard work permit application. Additional fees can apply depending on the type of application.

For example, applicants for an open work permit may also have to pay the open work permit holder fee where applicable.

Always check the current IRCC fee schedule before submitting an application because fees can change.

What If My Canada Work Permit Has Already Expired?

This is different from applying for an extension before expiry.

If your work permit expired before you applied, you generally lose your authorization to work and may need to apply to restore your status and obtain a new work permit.

IRCC states that a person who loses status must stop working and apply for restoration if they want to stay in Canada and work again.

Important Difference

Applied before expiry:

You may have maintained status and may be able to continue working under the conditions of your previous permit.

Applied after expiry:

You generally cannot continue working and may need restoration of status.

Can I Change Employers While My Extension Is Being Processed?

It depends on your work permit.

If you have an employer-specific work permit and are on maintained status, you generally need to continue working under the same conditions as your original permit.

That means you cannot simply assume that you can change to a different employer while waiting for the extension decision.

If you want to change employers, you may need to apply for a new work permit or follow the applicable process for changing employers.

Can I Travel Outside Canada While My Extension Is Processing?

Be careful about travelling while an extension application is being processed.

If you leave Canada while on maintained status, your ability to work when you return can be affected.

IRCC explains that if the renewal application is still being processed when you return, you may be admitted as a visitor and cannot work until the renewed work permit is approved, subject to the applicable rules.

A work permit is also not itself a travel document. Depending on your nationality and circumstances, you may need a valid temporary resident visa or eTA to return to Canada.

How Long Does a Canada Work Permit Extension Take?

Processing times vary depending on the type of application, where you apply from and IRCC's workload.

Because processing times can change, applicants should check the current IRCC processing-time information rather than relying on an old estimate.

Maintained status can be particularly important when processing takes longer than the expiry date of the existing permit.

What Happens After My Extension Is Approved?

If IRCC approves your application, you will receive your new work permit.

Check the new document carefully for:

• Expiry date

• Employer

• Occupation

• Work location

• Other conditions

Your new permit determines the conditions under which you can work.

Canada Work Permit Extension for PGWP Holders

Post-Graduation Work Permit holders should pay particular attention to the expiry date of their passport.

IRCC states that if a passport expires before the full period for which a person is eligible for a PGWP, the permit may be issued only until the passport expiry date. In certain circumstances, an eligible person can apply to extend the PGWP after obtaining a passport valid for the full eligible period.

PGWP extension rules are therefore different from a normal work permit renewal and should be checked separately.

Common Mistakes When Extending a Canada Work Permit

1. Applying Too Late

Waiting until the final days can create unnecessary problems.

2. Applying After the Permit Expires

This can result in loss of maintained status and work authorization.

3. Assuming Maintained Status Allows a Job Change

For an employer-specific permit, you generally need to continue under the original conditions while the extension is processed.

4. Ignoring Employer Requirements

An employer may need a new LMIA or other compliance steps.

5. Providing Incorrect Information

All information should be accurate and consistent.

6. Travelling Without Understanding the Consequences

Leaving Canada while an extension is pending can affect your ability to work when you return.

7. Continuing to Work After an Expired Permit Without Authorization

Working without authorization can have serious immigration consequences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I extend my Canada work permit before it expires?

Yes, if you remain eligible. IRCC recommends applying at least 30 days before your current permit expires.

Can I work after my work permit expires?

If you submitted an eligible extension application before your permit expired, you may be able to continue working under maintained status and the same conditions as your previous permit.

What if I apply after my work permit expires?

You may lose your authorization to work and may need to restore your status and obtain a new work permit.

Can I extend an open work permit?

You may be able to if you remain eligible for an open work permit.

Can I change employers during maintained status?

Generally, if your permit is employer-specific, you must continue working under the conditions of your original permit while waiting for the extension decision.

Can I leave Canada while my extension is being processed?

You may be able to leave and return, but leaving Canada can affect your ability to work when you return if the extension has not yet been approved.

Final Thoughts

If your Canadian work permit is approaching its expiry date, do not wait until the last minute.

The safest approach is to determine your eligibility, prepare the required documents and submit your application before the existing permit expires.

For many workers, applying before expiry is particularly important because it may allow them to benefit from maintained status and continue working under the conditions of their existing permit while IRCC processes the application.

Canada's work-permit rules can change, and different categories have different requirements. Always verify the latest information with IRCC before submitting an application.