What to do if your work permit expired

If you applied to extend your work permit and then your permit expires, you have

• maintained your status
• authorization to work without a permit until we make a decision on your application

You can keep working under the same conditions of your current work permit. If you have an employer-specific work permit, this means having the same

• employer
• job
• work location

Open work permit holders can still change employers and jobs.

Renewing provincial or territorial documents

While you’re on maintained status, you won’t be able to renew documents issued by your province or territory, such as your

• driver’s licence
• health card

You also can’t get a social insurance number (SIN) card.

Make sure your documents are valid before your work permit expires.

Proof you can continue to work

You can show employers or others proof that you can keep working while we process your application. The type of proof depends on how you applied:

• online
• on paper

If you applied to change either your employer, your job or your work location, and then your current permit expires, you have

• maintained your status
• authorization to work without a permit until we make a decision
  • However, you must keep working for the employer named on your original work permit until we make a decision on your application.

You can’t start working under the conditions of your new work permit until we process your application.

Renewing provincial or territorial documents

While you’re on maintained status, you won’t be able to renew documents issued by your province or territory, such as your

• driver’s licence
• health card

You also can’t get a social insurance number (SIN) card.

Make sure your documents are valid before your work permit expires.

Proof you can continue to work

You can show employers or others proof that you can keep working while we process your application. The type of proof depends on how you applied:

• online
• on paper

You can keep working until your work permit expires if you applied

• for a study permit
• to extend your stay in Canada as a visitor (visitor record)

If your work permit expires, you must stop working.

If you applied for a study permit, you can’t study until we make a decision on your application.