How to extend
The Canada Post labour disruption will cause delays in mail delivery
We’re still processing applications normally. However, there will be delays in
- sending applications mailed within or to Canada
- getting mail from us
We encourage you to apply online if possible. If you need to apply on paper, use another courier to send us your application.
On this page
- Maintain your status
- Biometrics
- Before you extend or change the conditions of your work permit
- How to extend or change the conditions of your work permit
Maintain your status
If you apply to extend or change the conditions of your work permit before it expires, you’re legally allowed to stay in Canada while we process your application.
If your work permit expires while we process your application, find out if you can keep working.
Temporary resident permit applicants do not benefit from maintained status
Temporary resident permit (TRP) applicants can’t maintain temporary resident status while their application is being processed. This applies to both
- initial TRP applications, and
- any other TRP applications
Date and time we receive your application
To maintain your status, we must receive your application before your work permit expires. We determine the date and time an application is received 2 ways:
- If you apply online: You must submit your application before midnight Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on the day your work permit expires.
- Our online application system uses UTC.
- Make sure you know the difference between your local time and UTC.
- If you apply on paper:We stamp paper applications the day we receive them at the case processing centre.
- If we receive an application after your work permit expires, we’ll count back 7 days and use that as the date received.
Before you extend or change the conditions of your work permit
Before you apply, make sure your employer has completed all the required steps.
Labour market impact assessment (LMIA)-required work permits
Some jobs require an LMIA. Your employer is responsible for submitting the application for an LMIA. Don’t apply for a work permit until your employer gives you a positive LMIA decision letter.
How to extend or change the conditions of your work permit
In most cases, you must apply online to extend or change the conditions of your work permit.
How applying to extend your work permit online helps you
- You can make sure your application is complete before you submit it.
- You’ll get a letter (work permit extension [WP-EXT] except post-graduation work permit [PGWP]) that proves you can keep working under the same conditions as your current work permit.
- You won’t get this letter if you apply on paper, because we won’t know if your application is complete until we review it.
- There are no courier fees or mail delivery time — we get your application instantly.
- You can quickly submit more documents online (if we ask you to).
- You get updates on the status of your application directly in your online account.
- As of June 21, 2024, you can no longer apply for a PGWP at a port of entry (airport, land or marine border) when entering Canada.
Apply early for your work permit
You should apply at least 30 days before your current permit expires.
However, if you apply too early, the validity of your existing work permit may be cut short by getting your new work permit before the current one ends.
Renew your provincial or territorial and federal identify documents before your current work permit expires
If you applied to extend your work permit and then your permit expires, you have
- maintained your status, and
- 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
Make sure your documents are valid before your work permit expires.
Applying for or updating the expiry of your social insurance number (SIN) card
While on maintained status (while your work permit is expired), you can’t apply for a SIN card or update the expiry date of your current SIN. You can, however, keep working under the same conditions as those on your initial work permit.
Find out what you need and how to apply for or renew your SIN card.
Step 1: Make sure you have what you need
To apply online, you’ll need
If you can’t apply online
You can submit a paper application if either
- you can’t apply online because of a disability
- there’s a problem with the online application
- In some cases, you may be able to apply online if you follow special instructions.
Submit a complete application
There may be delays in processing if you submit an incomplete application.
Check the expiry date on your passport
You can’t extend your work permit beyond the expiry date of your passport. Make sure your passport won’t expire before the requested end date of your permit.
Step 2: Read the instruction guide
Even if you apply online, you should read the instruction guide before you complete your application. The guide will explain how to complete each field on the form.
If you need to leave Canada and plan to return
If your visitor visa has expired, you need to apply for a new visitor visa before you’ll be able to travel back to Canada. You don’t automatically get a new visa when you apply to extend or change your work permit.
Venezuelan passport holders
You may need to complete extra steps when you fill out your application.
If the printed expiry date on your Venezuelan passport has passed
If the printed expiry date has passed and you’re applying for a visitor visa, study permit, work permit or to extend your stay as a temporary resident in Canada, follow these steps:
- Add 5 years to the printed expiry date shown on your passport and enter it in the expiry date field of the application form.
- Include a letter of explanation with your application stating: “I am a Venezuelan national with a Venezuelan passport, which has been extended for 5 years”.
Warning: If your passport is still expired after adding 5 years to the printed expiry date, your passport is considered expired. You’re not eligible to submit an application with that passport.
Priority processing for work permit applicants
We’re prioritizing certain work permit applications.
If your occupation is not on the lists below, we’ll still process your application. However, it may take longer than it normally would.
Provincial nominees in certain specialized health-care occupations
You may be eligible for faster processing for an employer-specific work permit if you
- have a full-time and non-seasonal job offer in one of the three eligible NOCs
- NOC 31100 – Specialist in clinical laboratory medicine
- NOC 31101 – Specialists in surgery
- NOC 31102 – General practitioners and family physicians
- have a support letter from a Canadian province or territory
- The letter nominates you as a permanent residence applicant through the Provincial Nominee Program.
- meet the general eligibility requirements (opens in a new tab) to apply for a work permit, depending on where you apply from
Other eligible occupations that perform or support essential services
We’re prioritizing the applications of people who perform or support essential services.
When you fill out the work permit application form
To get priority processing, follow these steps:
- Get the National Occupational Classification (NOC) number your employer entered on the
- offer of employment or
- labour market impact assessment (LMIA)
- Enter that number in the Job title box.
- This is box 4 in the Details of intended work in Canada section.
- You must enter only the number.
NOC 2021
On November 16, 2022, we switched to the 2021 version of the NOC system.
If you apply for a work permit on or after November 16, 2022, make sure you use the NOC 2021 codes.
Agriculture and agri-food occupations
NOC 2021 codes
- Butchers – retail and wholesale (NOC 63201)
- Meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale (NOC 65202)
- Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors (NOC 82030)
- Livestock labourers (NOC 85100)
- Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators (NOC 84120)
- Harvesting labourers (NOC 85101)
- Nursery and greenhouse labourers (NOC 85103)
- Fish and seafood plant workers (NOC 94142)
- Labourers in food and beverage processing (NOC 95106)
- Labourers in fish and seafood processing (NOC 95107)
- Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers (NOC 94141)
Health-care occupations
NOC 2021 codes
- Nursing coordinators and supervisors (NOC 31300)
- Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 31301)
- Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100)
- Specialists in surgery (NOC 31101)
- Police investigators and other investigative occupations (NOC 41310)
- General practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31102)
- Nurse practitioners (NOC 31302)
- Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals (NOC 31303)
- Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists (NOC 32103)
- Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating (NOC 31209)
- Pharmacists (NOC 31120)
- Medical laboratory technologists (NOC 32120)
- Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations (NOC 33101)
- Medical radiation technologists (NOC 32121)
- Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists (NOC 32123)
- Licensed practical nurses (NOC 32101)
- Paramedical occupations (NOC 32102)
- Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (NOC 33102)
- Home child care providers (LMIA-required in-Canada applicants) (NOC 44100)
- Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations (LMIA-required in-Canada applicants) (NOC 44101)
You may be eligible for even faster processing if you
- have a full-time and non-seasonal job offer in one of the three eligible NOCs
- NOC 31100 – Specialist in clinical laboratory medicine
- NOC 31101 – Specialists in surgery
- NOC 31102 – General practitioners and family physicians
- have a support letter from a Canadian province or territory
- The letter nominates you as a permanent residence applicant through the Provincial Nominee Program.
- meet the general eligibility requirements to apply for a work permit, depending on where you apply from
Step 3: Prepare your answers for the online tool
Before you can upload your forms, you must answer some questions. We use your answers to create a personalized document checklist for you.
Step 4: Know the fees you have to pay
In most cases, your fees will include processing fees for you and anyone you include on your application.
We’ll ask you to pay your fees at the end of your application.
Fees for open work permits
If you’re applying for an open work permit, make sure you pay both fees:
- work permit fee ($155)
- open work permit holder fee ($100)
Step 5: Create your online account or sign in
You need an account to apply online. You can use your account to
- pay your fees
- submit your application
- check your status