IRCC Extends Grace Period to 90 Days for Concurrent TFWP Work Permit Applications

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its operational instructions for Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) review under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

The key change is an extension of the grace period for certain work permit extension applications requiring concurrent processing. IRCC has increased the period from 60 days to 90 days.

Under the updated instructions, eligible work permit extension applications submitted without an LMIA can remain without a final decision until 90 days have passed from the date IRCC received the application. IRCC has also introduced a new client process that allows applicants to identify when their application requires concurrent processing.

What Changed in the IRCC Update?

The August 21, 2026 update makes two important changes to the TFWP-related processing instructions:

Previous approach	Updated approach
Grace period of 60 days	Grace period of 90 days
Applicants had limited ability to identify concurrent-processing requirements	New client process to identify files requiring concurrent processing
Eligible applications could be finalized after the applicable period	Eligible applications without an LMIA will not receive a final decision until 90 days have elapsed

The change applies to eligible applications requiring concurrent processing. It does not mean that every TFWP work permit extension application automatically receives a 90-day processing period.

IRCC’s updated TFWP instructions

What is Concurrent Processing?

Concurrent processing refers to situations where IRCC needs to coordinate the consideration of a work permit application and an LMIA-related process.

The updated instructions are particularly relevant to employers and temporary foreign workers whose work permit applications require this type of coordinated processing.

The important point is that the 90-day period is not a general extension of every work permit application. It specifically relates to applications that qualify for concurrent processing under IRCC’s instructions.

What Does the 90-Day Grace Period Mean?

For eligible applications submitted without an LMIA, IRCC says that a final decision will not be made until 90 days have elapsed from the date the application was received.

This gives the relevant LMIA process additional time before IRCC makes a final decision on the associated work permit application.

For applicants, this means that the absence of an immediate final decision during this period should not automatically be interpreted as a refusal or a problem with the application.

However, applicants should continue to monitor their IRCC account and respond promptly if IRCC requests additional information.

IRCC Introduces a New Client Process

Another important part of the update is the introduction of a new client process.

Applicants can now explicitly identify when their files require concurrent processing.

This is significant because the updated process gives applicants a way to communicate to IRCC that their application falls into a situation where concurrent processing is required.

Applicants should therefore carefully follow the instructions applicable to their specific application rather than assuming that IRCC will automatically identify every concurrent-processing situation.

Who May be Affected by the Change?

The update is most relevant to temporary foreign workers and employers involved in TFWP work permit extension applications that require concurrent LMIA processing.

However, eligibility depends on the circumstances of the application and the applicable IRCC instructions.

Temporary foreign workers should not assume that the 90-day period applies simply because they have applied to extend a work permit.

The distinction between a regular work permit extension and an application requiring concurrent processing is important.

Does the 90-Day Period Mean Applicants Can Work For 90 More Days?

Not necessarily.

The 90-day change described in IRCC’s August 21 update concerns the timing of a final decision for eligible applications requiring concurrent processing. It should not be confused with a general authorization to work for an additional 90 days.

Whether a person can continue working while a work permit extension is being processed depends on their individual circumstances and the applicable rules.

IRCC’s general guidance states that the expiry date on a work permit is generally the date the worker must stop working, although specific situations can allow continued work while an extension application is being processed.

Therefore, workers should confirm their maintained-status or work authorization situation rather than treating the new 90-day period as an automatic work authorization extension.

Why this Update Matters for Temporary Foreign Workers

The change can be important for workers whose applications depend on coordinated LMIA and work permit processing.

A longer grace period can provide additional time for the relevant processes to take place before IRCC reaches a final decision on an eligible work permit extension application.

The new client identification process may also help IRCC recognize applications that require concurrent processing more efficiently.

However, the update does not guarantee approval of a work permit, approval of an LMIA, or a particular processing timeline.

What Should TFWP Applicants Do Now?

If you are applying to extend your work permit under the TFWP, consider the following steps:

1. Check whether your application requires concurrent processing

Do not assume that the new 90-day period applies to your application. Review the current IRCC instructions and determine whether your circumstances meet the requirements.

2. Follow the new client process

If your application requires concurrent processing, use the process provided by IRCC to identify this requirement.

3. Keep your documents updated

Ensure that your passport, employment information, LMIA-related documents and other supporting materials are accurate and current.

4. Monitor Your IRCC Account

Check for messages, document requests or other correspondence from IRCC and respond within the specified deadline.

5. Confirm Your Work Authorization

The 90-day concurrent-processing period should not automatically be interpreted as permission to continue working. Confirm the rules that apply to your particular situation.

What Employers Should Know

Employers supporting temporary foreign workers should also be aware of the change.

If an employee requires a work permit extension involving concurrent LMIA processing, employers should coordinate the LMIA process and work permit application carefully.

Employers should also ensure that the information provided to IRCC and Employment and Social Development Canada is consistent and complete.

A delay in processing does not mean that an application will necessarily be approved, so employers should continue to plan for potential processing delays and changes in work authorization.

60 Days vs. 90 Days: What is the Difference?

The most important change is straightforward: IRCC has extended the relevant grace period by 30 days.

That means eligible applications requiring concurrent processing now have a 90-day period instead of 60 days before IRCC will make a final decision on the work permit application without an LMIA, according to the updated instructions.

This additional time may be particularly relevant where the LMIA process needs to progress before IRCC can finalize the associated work permit application.

Does This Change Guarantee Faster Processing?

No.

The update changes the applicable grace period for eligible concurrent-processing applications. It does not establish a guaranteed 90-day processing standard for all TFWP work permits.

Processing can depend on the specific application, supporting documentation, LMIA-related requirements and other factors.

Applicants should therefore avoid making travel, employment or status decisions based solely on the 90-day period.

Key Takeaways

IRCC’s August 21, 2026 update introduces an important procedural change for certain TFWP work permit extension applications:

• The concurrent-processing grace period has increased from 60 to 90 days.
• Eligible applications submitted without an LMIA will not receive a final decision until 90 days have elapsed from the date IRCC received the application.
• IRCC has introduced a new client process for applicants to identify files requiring concurrent processing.
• The change does not automatically apply to every TFWP work permit extension.
• The 90-day period should not automatically be interpreted as an additional 90 days of work authorization.
• Applicants should follow the latest IRCC instructions and verify their individual work authorization status.

Frequently Asked Questions