Open work permit extensions

On this page:

• Who can extend their H-1B open work permit
  • H-1B visa holders
  • Family members of H-1B visa holders
• How to extend your H-1B open work permit
  • H-1B visa holders
  • Family members of H-1B visa holders

As an H-1B visa holder or their family member, you were eligible for an open work permit with a validity period of up to 3 years.

If your permit was issued with a validity period of less than 3 years, you may be eligible for an extension.

Deadline to apply for an extension: December 15, 2024

Who can extend their H-1B open work permit

H-1B visa holders

To be eligible to extend your open work permit as an H-1B visa holder, you must meet all of the following requirements:

• You currently hold a valid H-1B open work permit issued under the H-1B public policy.
• Your current H-1B open work permit is valid for less than 3 years from the date it was issued.
• You apply for an extension before December 16, 2024.
• You’re inside Canada when you apply for your extension.

We can’t issue a permit for longer than the validity of your passport. Your open work permit will be issued for up to the remainder of the maximum 3-year validity period or to expiry date listed on your passport, whichever comes first.

Family members of H-1B visa holders

To be eligible to extend your open work permit as a family member of an H-1B visa holder, you must meet all of the following requirements:

• You currently hold a valid H-1B an open work permit issued as a family member of an H-1B visa holder.
• Your current H-1B open work permit is valid for less than 3 years from the date it was issued.
• The H-1B visa holder is eligible to extend their H-1B open work permit.
• You apply for an extension before December 16, 2026.
• You’re inside Canada when you apply for your extension.

We can’t issue a visa or permit for longer than the validity of your passport. Your permit will be issued to whichever of the following dates is the earliest:

• the validity of the primary H-1B visa holder’s work permit or
• the expiry date listed on your passport

How to extend your H-1B open work permit

Apply online using your IRCC secure account.

This is a different account than you used for your initial H-1B open work permit application.

When you apply, you must

• follow the general instructions for how to extend an open work permit and
• complete certain fields in your IMM 5710 form exactly as shown below, depending on whether you’re applying as
  • an H-1B visa holder or
  • a family member of an H-1B visa holder

H-1B visa holders

Follow the steps below to apply for an open work permit extension as an H­1B visa holder.

Step 1: Read the guide to find out how to apply to extend your open work permit.

Step 2: Complete the IMM 5710 (PDF, 0.6 MB) form. Be sure to complete the following field exactly as shown.

• In the “Job Title” field
  • enter “H1BP”

Step 3: Create an account or sign in to the IRCC secure account.

Start your application

Family members of H-1B visa holders

Follow the steps below to apply for an open work permit extension as a family member of an H-1B visa holder.

Step 1: Read the guide to find out how to apply to extend your open work permit.

Step 2: Complete the IMM 5710 (PDF, 0.6 MB) form. Be sure to complete the following field exactly as shown.

• In the “Job Title” field
  • enter “H1BF”
• In the “Brief description of duties” field
  • enter the work permit extension application number of the H-1B visa holder

Step 3: Create an account or sign in to the IRCC secure account.

Start your application