Language selection

Government of Canada

Search

Extend or change the conditions on your work permit: How to apply

COVID-19: workers changing jobs or employers

You don’t need to wait until your new employer-specific work permit arrives to start a new job or work for a new employer. Follow these steps to start working after you apply for a work permit.

COVID-19: safety measures

Find out if you're affected by coronavirus/COVID-19.

You need to give your biometrics

In most cases, you now need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) after you apply. Make sure you follow all the steps to give your biometrics.

How to apply

Before you apply, make sure your employer has completed all the required steps.

If you need to leave and return to Canada

If your visitor visa expired, you need to apply for a new visitor visa before you travel outside Canada.

In most cases, you must apply online to extend or change the conditions on your work permit.

How applying online helps you

  • No courier fees or mail delivery time - we get your application instantly.
  • It helps you make sure your application is complete before you submit it.
  • 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.

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, and
  • a valid credit or debit card.

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.

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.

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”.

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:

Biometrics fee

If you have to give your biometrics (fingerprints and photo), you need to pay the biometrics fee when you submit your application. If you don’t, there may be delays.

As of December 3, 2019, you can give your biometrics at designated Service Canada locations. Make sure you follow all the steps to give your biometrics.

Step 5: Create your online account or sign in

You need an account to apply online. You can use your account to:

Create an account or sign in

If you can’t apply online

You can submit a paper application if either:

Problem with the online application

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

Categories (LMIA exemption code if applicable)
  • Bridging open work permits (A75)
  • Permanent residence applicants in Canada (A70)
  • Open work permit pilot program for permanent residence applicants in the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class (A70)
  • Visitors in Canada who are the spouse or common-law partner of a low-skilled worker
  • CSQ holders in Quebec (A75)
  • Refugee claimants (S61)
  • Persons under an unenforceable removal order (S62)
  • Foreign workers in British Columbia who are facing or at risk of facing abuse in relation to their job (T13)
  • Live-in caregivers who have submitted their permanent residence application (A71)
  • Post-graduation work permit (C43)
  • Post-doctoral Ph.D. fellows and award recipients (C44)
  • Medical residents and research fellows (C45)
  • Destitute Students (H81)
  • Holders of a temporary resident permit that’s valid for a minimum of six months (H82)
  • Francophone mobility (C16)
  • Emergency repairs or repair personnel for out-of-warranty equipment (C13)
  • Atlantic Immigration Pilot (C18)
  • Television and film production workers (C14)
  • Performing arts (C23)
  • Experts on missions, working for a United Nations office in Canada (C10)
  • Start-up visa (A75)
  • Reciprocal employment (C20)
  • IEC: extending your participation or changing conditions on your work permit (C21)
  • Significant Benefit (C10)
  • Seafood-processing workers
  • Non-SAWP Guatemalan agricultural workers
  • Foreign physicians coming to work in Quebec (C10)

What to do if you can’t apply online

Report a problem or mistake on this page
Please select all that apply:

Thank you for your help!

You will not receive a reply. For enquiries, contact us.

Date modified: