Work in Canada
How to Renew Your Work Permit While Residing in Canada?
If you’re working in Canada and your work permit is about to expire or you need to make changes to the conditions of your work permit, you’ll need to submit a new application at least 30 days before your current permit expires. However, you’re legally allowed to stay in Canada while Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) process your application.
Changes to Conditions of Your Work Permit
It’s important to note that changes in your job, such as a change in pay or new responsibilities, or if you’re offered a different job or want to work for a new employer, may change the conditions of your work permit. You cannot start working a new job or work for a different employer until you receive a new work permit with the updated conditions.
Extending Your Work Permit
If you have an open work permit, you can extend it as long as you’re still eligible to work in Canada with an open work permit. In most cases, you’ll need to apply online to extend or change the conditions of your work permit. Before you upload your forms, you must answer some questions and create an account so that you can submit your application and check your status. If your application is accepted, you’ll either get an extension of your current work permit or a work permit for the new working conditions.
Working With An Expired Work Permit
If your work permit expires while IRCC is processing your application, you’ll need to determine whether you’re allowed to keep working. If you applied to extend your work permit and then it expires, you have maintained your status and can continue to work without a permit until a decision is made on your application, as long as you’re working under the same conditions as your current or expired permit.
If you applied for a new work permit to change your employer, job, or work location and then your current permit expires, you’ve maintained your status and are authorized to continue to work, but only for the employer named on your original work permit until IRCC makes a decision about your application. You cannot start working under the conditions of the new work permit until the application is processed.
If you applied for a study permit or to extend your stay in Canada as a visitor, you may only work until your permit expires. Once it expires, you must stop working. You may also only begin to start studying until IRCC processes your application.
It’s important to note that you’re not permitted to extend your work permit beyond your passport’s expiry date.
Proving Eligibility to Your Employer
After you apply to extend or renew your work permit, IRCC will send you a letter that you can use as proof that you’re eligible to keep working under the same conditions as your original work permit. IRCC states that if the application is still being processed, you can even continue to work past the expiry date while on the letter as long as your working conditions remain the same.
Restoring Your Status as a Worker
If your work permit expired before you applied for a new one, you must stop working if you’re in Canada. However, you may be able to restore your status as a worker. You can apply to restore your status as a worker if you:
- Apply within 90 days of losing your status
- Meet the requirements for your stay (ex. you did not work illegally)
- Meet all the conditions listed on your expired permit before it expired
IRCC states that there is no guarantee that they will approve your application to restore your status or for a new permit.
Hiring an Immigration Consultant If you would like to renew or extend your permit, hiring an experienced RCIC is recommended. ImmigCanada will work with you to understand your situation and help with the application process.
