Work Permit Extension in Canada

Q: What happens if my work permit expires before I apply for an extension?

If your work permit expires, you may restore your status within 90 days. However, during this period, you cannot work until a new permit is approved.

Q: Do I need a new LMIA for a work permit extension?

If you have an LMIA-based work permit, your employer will need to submit a new LMIA unless the original LMIA allows for extensions. Some work permits under PNPs, IMP, and other categories may not require an LMIA.

Q: Can my employer support my work permit extension under the International Mobility Program (IMP)?

Yes, employers can support closed work permits under IMP categories such as: Intra-Company Transfers (ICT) Francophone Mobility CUSMA (formerly NAFTA) Work Permits Other LMIA-exempt categories Employers must submit an employer compliance fee under IMP.

Q: Can my spouse extend their Spousal Open Work Permit?

This depends on the new 2025 policy changes: Spouses of students: Only if the student is in a master’s, doctoral, or eligible professional program. Spouses of foreign workers: Only if the worker is employed in TEER 0 or 1 occupations, or specific TEER 2/3 occupations in government priority sectors. If the spouse no longer qualifies, their extension may not be possible.

Q: Can I apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit while extending my work permit?

If you have applied for permanent residence under Express Entry or a PNP, you may qualify for a BOWP, allowing you to continue working while awaiting a PR decision.

Q: What if my work permit expired before I applied for an extension?

You may restore your status within 90 days. If you exceed the deadline, you must leave Canada or apply for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP).

Work Permit Extension

What this page covers

Apply before your current permit expires and you keep working under maintained status while the decision is pending. Apply one day late and you cannot work at all until the new permit is issued. That single day is the whole difference.

Extending your work permit is essential to maintaining legal status and employment authorization in Canada. Whether you hold an open work permit, an employer-specific (closed) work permit, or an LMIA-exempt permit under the International Mobility Program (IMP), understanding your options is crucial. This guide covers the types of extensions, key considerations, and how you can transition from one type of work permit to another.

Key Information

Types of Work Permits Eligible for Extension, Includes Closed Work Permits (Employer-Specific) and Open Work Permits.
Changing Work Permit Types, You may transition between permit types if eligible, such as moving from an open work permit to a closed LMIA-based permit.
Maintained Status, If you apply for an extension before your permit expires, you may continue working under the same conditions until a decision is made.

If your work permit expires before you apply for an extension, you must stop working and apply for status restoration within 90 days to avoid leaving Canada.

Which Work Permits Can You Extend?

1. Closed Work Permits (Employer-Specific Work Permits)

These permits allow you to work for a specific employer and job role in Canada.

LMIA-Based Work Permits, Requires a positive LMIA from the employer.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-Supported Work Permits, Certain PNPs issue support letters allowing a permit extension.
Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Work Permits, For employees transferring within multinational companies.

If you’re on an employer-specific work permit and want to change jobs, you must apply for a new work permit before switching employers.

Would a Considered View on Your Work Permit Extension Options Help?

Most applicants have more than one route available and rarely the same one they arrived expecting. SAAB Immigration Services Inc. offers a complimentary ten minute consultation to set out the options that genuinely apply to your situation. There is no obligation.

Ask us to take a look

2. Open Work Permits

These allow you to work for any employer in Canada, except those restricted by IRCC.

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), Available for graduates of a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Cannot be extended, but you may apply for an LMIA or PNP-based work permit.
Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP), For PR applicants awaiting a decision under Express Entry, PNP, or other PR pathways.
Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP), Available for spouses of international students, skilled foreign workers, and spouses of Canadian citizens or permanent residents with an in-progress inland spousal sponsorship application.
Open Work Permit for Vulnerable Workers, Available to those experiencing workplace abuse or risk of abuse.
Open Work Permit for Destitute Students, For students facing unexpected financial hardship.

If your study program requires a co-op work permit, ensure you apply for it alongside your study permit extension if applicable.

Can You Change Permit Type While Extending?

Yes! You may transition to a different type of work permit when applying for an extension. Some scenarios include:

Switching from PGWP to an LMIA-based work permit if you receive a valid job offer.
Moving from an Open Work Permit (SOWP) to a PNP-supported work permit.
Applying for an employer-specific permit if you secure an LMIA-approved job.

What Should You Know Before You Apply?

Some work permits, such as PGWP, cannot be extended. If your PGWP is expiring, you must explore other options such as LMIA-based, PNP-supported, or spousal open work permits.

Ensure you apply before your current work permit expires.

Gather supporting documents such as LMIA approvals, job offers, nomination certificates, proof of relationship (for SOWP applicants), or employer compliance proof (for IMP work permits).

If your permit expires before you apply for an extension, you must apply for status restoration within 90 days to continue working in Canada.

Maintained Status While Extending Your Work Permit

If you apply for an extension before your current work permit expires, you retain the right to work under the same conditions until IRCC makes a decision.

However, if you leave Canada while on maintained status, your status is nullified. You will not be able to work again until IRCC approves your new work permit.

!! If your work permit expired before applying, you cannot continue working until a decision is made on a status restoration application.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I apply for my work permit extension?

It is recommended to apply at least 30 days before your current permit expires. However, you can apply until the last day of validity.

Can I continue working while my extension is in process?

Yes, if you apply before your permit expires, you will have maintained status (formerly implied status), allowing you to continue working under the same conditions until a decision is made.

Can I change my work permit type while applying for an extension?

Yes, you may switch from an open to a closed work permit or vice versa if you meet eligibility requirements. For example, switching from a PGWP to an LMIA-based work permit is possible with a job offer and employer compliance.

Can I apply for a work permit extension from outside Canada?

No, you must be inside Canada when submitting your work permit extension application. If you leave Canada, you will need to apply for a new work permit from outside the country.

What happens if my work permit expires before I apply for an extension?

If your work permit expires, you may restore your status within 90 days. However, during this period, you cannot work until a new permit is approved.

Do I need a new LMIA for a work permit extension?

If you have an LMIA-based work permit, your employer will need to submit a new LMIA unless the original LMIA allows for extensions. Some work permits under PNPs, IMP, and other categories may not require an LMIA.

Can my employer support my work permit extension under the International Mobility Program (IMP)?

Yes, employers can support closed work permits under IMP categories such as:

Intra-Company Transfers (ICT)
Francophone Mobility
CUSMA (formerly NAFTA) Work Permits
Other LMIA-exempt categories

Employers must submit an employer compliance fee under IMP.

Can my spouse extend their Spousal Open Work Permit?

This depends on the new 2025 policy changes:

Spouses of students: Only if the student is in a master’s, doctoral, or eligible professional program.
Spouses of foreign workers: Only if the worker is employed in TEER 0 or 1 occupations, or specific TEER 2/3 occupations in government priority sectors.

If the spouse no longer qualifies, their extension may not be possible.

Can I apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit while extending my work permit?

If you have applied for permanent residence under Express Entry or a PNP, you may qualify for a BOWP, allowing you to continue working while awaiting a PR decision.

What if my work permit expired before I applied for an extension?

You may restore your status within 90 days.
If you exceed the deadline, you must leave Canada or apply for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP).

Plan Your Work Permit Extension Application Properly, the First Time

A refused application follows an applicant into everything that comes after it, which is why the preparation matters more than the submission. We will review your circumstances and documents together, address the risks before they reach an officer, and set out exactly what is required.

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