If your work permit is nearing expiration or you need to make changes to its conditions, you must apply to extend or modify it. It’s recommended to submit your application for an extension at least 30 days before your current permit expires.
Who Can Apply
This application is for you if you:
Want to extend your work permit
Need to make changes to the conditions of your work permit, such as:
The type of work you can do
The employer you can work for
The location where you can work
This includes situations where restrictions were placed because you had not completed a medical exam. For example, if you were given an open work permit with restrictions on working in healthcare due to an incomplete medical exam, you can lift these conditions once you complete the exam.
Need to change your gender on your work permit: If your gender on the work permit doesn’t reflect your identity, use this application and include the Request for a Change of Sex or Gender Identifier form (IRM 0002)
Need to correct a mistake made on your work permit: If there was an error on your work permit, you can request to amend a valid temporary resident document.
Don’t currently have a work permit but wish to work in Canada temporarily: Find out the requirements for obtaining a work permit.
Employer-Specific Work Permits
You must apply to extend or modify the conditions of your work permit if:
Your job has been extended
There are changes to your current job, such as:
A change in your salary
New responsibilities
You’re offered a different job
You want to work for a new employer
You cannot start working at a new job or for a different employer until you receive your work permit with the updated conditions. Note: If you hold an open work permit, you may be eligible to extend it as long as you still meet the requirements for working in Canada under an open work permit.
Maintain Your Status
If you apply to extend or modify the conditions of your work permit before it expires, you are legally allowed to remain in Canada while we process your application. If your work permit expires during the processing of your application, check below if you’re still eligible to continue working.
Biometrics –
You may be required to provide biometrics for this permit. If biometrics are necessary, pay the biometrics fee with your application, which covers the cost of collecting fingerprints and a digital photo.
Extending the Validity of Your Biometrics –
We cannot issue a visa or permit valid for longer than 10 years from the date you last provided biometrics. If you need a visa or permit valid for a longer period, you can opt to give your biometrics again when you apply, even if they’re still valid.
How to Extend or Modify the Conditions of Your Work Permit
Before applying, ensure your employer has completed all required steps. In most cases, you should apply online to extend or change your work permit conditions.Benefits of Applying Online
You can ensure your application is complete before submission.
You will receive a letter (WP-EXT except PGWP) confirming that you can continue working under the same conditions as your current work permit.
If applying on paper, you won’t receive this letter, as we won’t know if your application is complete until we review it.
No courier fees or mail delivery time; we get your application instantly.
You can quickly submit additional documents online if requested.
You will receive updates on the status of your application directly in your online account.
Note: Starting June 21, 2024, you can no longer apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) at a port of entry (airport, land, or marine border).If You Need to Leave Canada and Plan to ReturnIf your visitor visa has expired, you will need to apply for a new visitor visa before traveling back to Canada. Applying to extend or modify your work permit does not automatically renew your visitor visa.
After You Extend
If You Applied Online to Extend or Modify Your Work PermitOnce you apply online, we’ll send you a letter in your account (WP-EXT, except PGWP) confirming that you’re authorized to keep working, if eligible. You can continue working past the expiry date on the letter, as long as the conditions remain the same as your original work permit. The letter will automatically include an expiry date, which will be 180 days from the date we receive your application. This is because:
It is the standard processing time for this type of application.
Employers and health insurance providers may require proof that you are authorized to work.
The expiry date helps address their concerns about your work authorization in Canada.If we don’t finalize your application by the letter’s expiry date, you are still allowed to continue working until we make a decision. If you submitted your application before your work permit expired, you are authorized to continue working under the same conditions as your current work permit.To show your employer proof that you’ve submitted your application, you can provide:
A copy of your work permit application
Proof of payment for the fees
A copy of postal or courier tracking information
Working While You Wait for Your Work Permit
You’ll be notified in your online account once your work permit is approved. You can begin working as soon as you receive this notification. There’s no need to wait for the physical work permit to arrive in the mail before you start working.If Your Permit Expires After You Apply: If you applied to extend or change the conditions of your work permit before it expires, you are legally allowed to remain in Canada until a decision is made on your application.If You Applied to Extend Your Work Permit: If you applied for an extension and your permit expires afterward, you will:
Maintain your status
Be authorized to work without a permit until a decision is made on your application
You can continue working under the same conditions as your previous work permit. If you hold an employer-specific work permit, this means working for the same Employer, Job and Work location. Open work permit holders are still allowed to change employers or jobs.Renewing Provincial or Territorial Documents – While on maintained status, you won’t be able to renew documents issued by your province or territory, such as: Driver’s license and Health card. Ensure that these documents are valid before your work permit expires.Applying for or Updating Your Social Insurance Number (SIN): While on maintained status (if your work permit is expired), you can’t apply for a new SIN card or update the expiry date of your current SIN. However, you are still allowed to work under the same conditions as your original work permit.
If You Applied for Another Work Permit
If you applied to change your employer, job, or work location and your permit expires, you will:
Maintain your status
Be authorized to work without a permit until a decision is made on your application
However, you must continue working for the employer listed on your original work permit until we finalize your application. You cannot start working under the conditions of your new work permit until your application is processed.
If You Applied for a Study Permit or Visitor Record
You could continue working until your work permit expires if you applied for:
A study permit
An extension to stay in Canada as a visitor (visitor record)
Once your work permit expires, you must stop working. If you applied for a study permit, you cannot begin studying until we make a decision on your application.If your permit has already expired before you apply:
You must stop working if you’re still in Canada and:
Your permit expired before you applied for a new work permit
You applied for a study permit
You applied to stay in Canada as a visitor
You didn’t follow the conditions of your permit
However, you may be able to apply to restore your status as a worker.
Changing Jobs or Employers
If you hold an employer-specific work permit and want to change jobs or employers in Canada, you must apply for a new work permit if you’re eligible. Open work permit holders can change employers at any time while their work permit is valid.For International Experience Canada (IEC) Participants: Check if you can change employers with an IEC work permit.You may not have to wait for your new work permit to be approved to start your new job or work for a new employer. You can request authorization to work while we process your application.
Who’s Eligible to Change Jobs or Employers
To be eligible, you must meet two conditions:
You’ve applied for a new employer-specific work permit in Canada.
You either:
Have an employer-specific work permit, or
Are a worker who can work without a work permit.
This does not include:
Business visitors
Short-term workers under the Global Skills Strategy
What to Do if You Want to Travel Outside Canada and Then Re-enterA work permit isn’t a travel document on its own, so you’ll need additional documentation to re-enter Canada. Here’s what you’ll need depending on your situation:
Work Permit: You must have a valid work permit.
Passport: You must carry a valid passport.
Visitor Visa or eTA:
If you need a visitor visa, make sure you have one.
If you’re eligible for an electronic travel authorization (eTA)
