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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.

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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.

Check the processing times for LMIA applications.

How to extend or change the conditions of your work permit

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.

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

  • a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents
  • a valid credit or debit card
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.

What to do if you have problems applying online

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.

Credit cards and prepaid cards

We accept credit cards and prepaid cards from:

  • Visa®
  • MasterCard®
  • American Express®
  • JCB®
  • UnionPay® (for online applications only; debit cards not accepted)

If you use a prepaid credit card, keep it for at least 18 months after you pay to make refunds easier. Find more on prepaid cards.

We also accept all Visa Debit cards.

The card you use doesn't have to be in your name. The cardholder’s name will appear on the receipt but it does not need to match your application.

Debit cards

It must:

  • be from a Canadian bank using INTERAC® Online, and
  • be registered for online banking through your bank’s website.

We also accept all Debit MasterCard® and Visa® Debit cards. If your card has the Visa Debit logo on it, alone or with the INTERAC® Online logo, select Visa Debit as your payment method.

The card you use does not have to be in your name. The cardholder’s name will appear on the receipt but it does not need to match your application.

Letter that proves you’re authorized to work (WP-EXT except PGWP)

After you apply online, we’ll send you a letter (in your online account) that you can use as proof that you’re authorized to keep working.

You can print it and attach it to your current work permit, or show it to your employer. It’s proof that you’re authorized to keep working under the same conditions as your original work permit until we process your application.

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:

  1. Add 5 years to the printed expiry date shown on your passport and enter it in the expiry date field of the application form.
  2. 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”.

Important information 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.

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

Create an account or sign in

Problem with the online application

If you’re trying to apply for a work permit online in one of the categories below, you may have problems getting the right result. If you’re not sure if this applies to you, ask your employer.

LMIA-exempt applicants

  • Permanent residence applicants in Canada who
    • used Express Entry to submit their permanent residence application, and
    • have received an acknowledgment of receipt letter (A75)
  • Open work permit pilot program for permanent residence applicants in the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class (A70)
  • Foreign physicians coming to work in Quebec (C10)
  • Refugee claimants (S61)
  • Failed refugee claimants waiting for removal who need to support themselves (S62)
  • Persons under an unenforceable removal order (S62)
  • Live-in caregivers who have submitted their permanent residence application (A71)
  • In-Canada applicants under the Home Child-Care Provider Pilot or the Home Support Worker Pilot (C90) and their family members (C91)
  • Post-graduation work permit extension (C43)
  • Destitute students (H81)
  • Holders of a temporary resident permit that’s valid for a minimum of 6 months (H82)
  • Start-up visa workers (A75)
  • International Experience Canada: Extend your participation or change conditions on your work permit (C21)

LMIA-required applicants

  • Seafood-processing workers
  • Agricultural workers who are not part of the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program

Visitors to Canada

  • Visitors in Canada applying for an initial study permit, work permit or both who are accompanying a spouse holding a low-skilled work permit

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