What to do if your work permit expired

If you applied to extend your work permit and your initial permit expires while we’re processing your application, you have

• maintained your status
• authorization to work without a permit until we make a decision on your application, as long as you stay in Canada

You must 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

If you’re an open work permit holder, you can usually change employers, jobs or locations, unless you have specific conditions listed on your work permit.

Renewing provincial or territorial documents

Usually, 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 a social insurance number (SIN) or updating the expiry of your SIN

Your SIN expires on the same date your work permit expires. You can continue working with an expired SIN until we make a decision on your work permit application.

You can apply for or update your SIN only once you receive your new work permit.

Find out what you need and how to apply for or renew your SIN.

Proof you can continue to work

You can show your employer 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 or job on your employer-specific work permit, and then your permit expires, you have

• maintained your status
• authorization to work without a permit until we make a decision, as long as you stay in Canada
  • 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 with a new employer or in a new job

• until we approve your application, or
• unless you request and receive an authorization to work while we process your application

Renewing provincial or territorial documents

Usually, 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 a social insurance number (SIN) or updating the expiry of your SIN

You can continue working with an expired SIN until we make a decision on your work permit application.

You can apply for or update your SIN only once you receive your new work permit.

Find out what you need and how to apply for or renew your SIN.

Proof you can continue to work

You can show your employer 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 only until your work permit expires. You cannot continue to work while waiting for a decision on your study permit application.

Also, you can’t start your studies until we make a decision on your study permit application, unless you’re authorized to study without a study permit.

You can keep working only until your work permit expires. You cannot continue to work while waiting for a decision on your visitor application.