How to extend
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
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
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.
Venezuelan passport holders
You may need to complete extra steps when you fill out your application.
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
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