Work Permit Extension Canada: How to Apply Before Expiry
Work Permit Extension Canada is the process used by temporary foreign workers who want to continue working or change the conditions of an existing Canadian work permit.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, commonly known as IRCC, recommends applying at least 30 days before the current permit expires.
Applying before expiry may allow an eligible worker to remain in Canada and continue working under maintained status while IRCC processes the application.
However, a work permit is not automatically renewable. You must continue to qualify under an available work permit category and provide the documents required for that category.
Important: This article provides general information and is not legal or immigration advice. Work permit requirements vary by permit type, employer, immigration category and individual circumstances.
Table of Contents
Work Permit Extension Canada: Quick Overview
| Question | General Answer |
|---|---|
| When should you apply? | IRCC recommends at least 30 days before expiry. |
| Online deadline | Before midnight UTC on the permit expiry date. |
| Work permit fee | Generally CAN$155. |
| Open work permit fee | An additional $100 generally applies unless exempt. |
| Can you continue working? | Possibly, if you applied before expiry and meet maintained-status conditions. |
| If the permit expired | Stop working and check whether restoration is available within 90 days. |
When Should You Apply?
IRCC recommends submitting a work permit extension application at least 30 days before the current permit expires.
Applying early gives you time to:
- Renew your passport if necessary
- Obtain a new LMIA or Employer Portal offer
- Collect employment and immigration documents
- Resolve online account or payment problems
For online applications, IRCC uses Coordinated Universal Time, known as UTC. The application must be submitted before midnight UTC on the permit expiry date.
Do not wait until local midnight: Applicants in British Columbia and other western time zones may miss the deadline because midnight UTC arrives earlier than local midnight.
A payment receipt alone does not mean the application was submitted. Confirm that the application shows as submitted in your IRCC account.
Who Can Apply to Extend a Work Permit?
You may apply to extend or change a work permit if you remain eligible under a Canadian work permit category.
Common reasons for applying include:
- Continuing with the same employer
- Changing employers or occupations
- Changing the work location
- Continuing to qualify for an open work permit
- Requesting a longer permit after renewing a passport
- Removing certain medical-related employment restrictions
Your current permit does not automatically give you the right to receive another permit.
For example, a spouse applying for another open work permit must still meet the current spousal eligibility rules. A permanent residence applicant requesting a bridging open work permit must meet the applicable bridging requirements.
Read Work Permit Canada Explained for a comparison of open and employer-specific permits.
Check Your Passport Before Applying
IRCC cannot normally issue a work permit beyond your passport expiry date.
If you request a two-year extension but your passport expires in six months, the new permit may be limited to six months.
Renew your passport before applying whenever possible. Receiving a new passport does not automatically extend your work permit.
What Must the Employer Do?
Employer-specific work permit applicants normally need the employer to complete the required process before the worker applies.
| Permit Type | Employer Requirement |
|---|---|
| LMIA-based work permit | The employer generally needs a new positive LMIA and updated employment documents. |
| LMIA-exempt employer-specific permit | The employer generally submits a new Employer Portal offer and provides a new A-number. |
| Open work permit | No job-specific Employer Portal offer is normally required, but the applicant must qualify for an open permit category. |
For an LMIA-exempt extension, the employer generally needs to:
- Confirm that the LMIA exemption still applies.
- Submit a new offer through the Employer Portal.
- Pay the $230 compliance fee or document an exemption.
- Give the worker the new offer of employment number.
The A-number used for the original permit generally cannot be reused.
Related guides:
- LMIA Canada Explained
- LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Canada
- Employer Portal Canada
- Offer of Employment Number Canada
- Employer Compliance Fee Canada
Documents You May Need
Your personalized IRCC checklist controls. Common documents can include:
- Valid passport
- Current work permit
- Proof of current status in Canada
- Employment contract or job-offer letter
- Positive LMIA where required
- New Employer Portal A-number where required
- Proof of the LMIA exemption
- Education or professional licence documents
- Proof of work experience
- Marriage or common-law evidence where relevant
- Permanent residence AOR where relevant
- Medical examination documents where required
- Letter of explanation
Employment information should be consistent across the contract, LMIA or Employer Portal offer and the worker’s application.
How to Apply Online
Most work permit extension applications must be submitted online.
- Confirm that you qualify for the requested permit.
- Check your passport expiry date.
- Have your employer complete any required LMIA or Employer Portal process.
- Sign in to your IRCC secure account.
- Answer the eligibility questions.
- Complete the required forms.
- Upload all documents shown on the checklist.
- Pay the applicable fees.
- Electronically sign and submit the application.
- Save the submission confirmation and payment receipt.
The current general work permit fee is $155. Most open work permit applicants also pay a $100 open permit holder fee unless an exemption applies.
For account help, read IRCC Secure Account: Login Tips.
Can You Continue Working Under Maintained Status?
You may have maintained status if you submitted a qualifying application before your current status expired and remain in Canada.
Maintained status can allow an eligible worker to continue working until IRCC makes a decision.
Employer-Specific Permit
You generally must continue working under the same conditions as the expired permit, including the same employer, occupation and work location.
Submitting an application for a new employer does not automatically authorize you to begin the new job.
Open Work Permit
An open work permit holder may generally continue changing employers or jobs while on maintained status, subject to restrictions printed on the original permit.
Read Maintained Status in Canada Explained for more details.
Keep proof: Save your submission confirmation, payment receipt, expired permit and any work authorization letter issued in your IRCC account.
Changing Employers While Waiting
An employer-specific permit holder generally needs new authorization before starting work for a different employer.
The new employer may need to obtain an LMIA or submit an LMIA-exempt Employer Portal offer. The worker then submits a new work permit application.
Some workers inside Canada may request temporary authorization to begin the new job while the new permit application is processed.
Do not start working for the new employer until IRCC grants that authorization or issues the new permit.
See Change Employers on a Work Permit in Canada.
Travel Outside Canada While Waiting
A work permit is not a travel document. You may also need a valid temporary resident visa or electronic travel authorization to return to Canada.
Leaving Canada while relying on maintained status can affect your ability to continue working after you return.
If you are admitted as a visitor while the extension is still processing, you generally cannot resume working until the new permit is approved.
Travel warning: Review your re-entry documents and work authorization before leaving Canada during an extension application.
Special Rules for PGWP Holders
A Post-Graduation Work Permit is generally not routinely renewable.
A PGWP may be extended when the original permit was shorter than the applicant’s full eligible period because the passport expired early.
A worker who cannot extend a PGWP must qualify for another type of permit, such as an employer-specific, spousal or bridging open work permit.
What If Your Work Permit Already Expired?
If your permit expired before you submitted a qualifying extension application, you generally lose worker status and must stop working.
You may be eligible to apply for restoration within 90 days of losing status.
A restoration applicant generally must:
- Apply within the 90-day period
- Explain how status was lost
- Meet the requirements of the requested work permit
- Pay the restoration and work permit fees
- Stop working while waiting for restoration
Restoration does not normally provide maintained-status work authorization.
Read Restoration of Status Canada.
Common Work Permit Extension Mistakes
- Waiting until local midnight on the expiry date
- Applying before the employer completes the LMIA or portal offer
- Reusing an old A-number
- Applying with a passport that expires soon
- Assuming every open work permit is renewable
- Starting with a new employer without authorization
- Submitting an incomplete application
- Continuing to work after losing status
Helpful Official Resources
- IRCC: Extend or Change Your Work Permit
- IRCC: After You Apply
- IRCC: Changing Jobs or Employers
- IRCC: Travel While Waiting
- IRCC: Restore Worker Status
FAQ About Work Permit Extension Canada
How early should I apply?
IRCC recommends applying at least 30 days before the current permit expires.
Can I apply on the expiry date?
Yes, but the online application must be submitted before midnight UTC. Waiting until the final day is risky.
Can I continue working while waiting?
Possibly. You must have submitted a qualifying application before expiry, remain in Canada and follow the applicable maintained-status conditions.
How much does an extension cost?
The general work permit fee is $155. Most open work permit applicants also pay an additional $100 fee unless exempt.
Does my employer need a new LMIA?
If the position is LMIA-based, the employer generally needs a new positive LMIA.
Does my employer need a new A-number?
For many employer-specific LMIA-exempt extensions, the employer must submit a new portal offer and provide a new A-number.
Can I change employers while waiting?
Not automatically. Employer-specific permit holders generally need a new permit or separate interim authorization before starting the new job.
Can I travel outside Canada?
You can leave, but returning may affect your right to resume work while the application remains pending.
Can a PGWP be extended?
A PGWP is generally not renewable, except in limited situations such as when it was shortened because the applicant’s passport expired.
What if my permit already expired?
Stop working and check whether you qualify to apply for restoration within 90 days.
Final Thoughts
Work Permit Extension Canada requires you to remain eligible, apply before expiry and provide documents that match your work permit category.
Apply at least 30 days early whenever possible, check your passport and make sure your employer completes any LMIA or Employer Portal requirements before you submit the application.
If you qualify for maintained status, follow the conditions of your previous permit while waiting. Do not begin working for a new employer without the required authorization.
Last updated: July 2026