Can I extend my work permit in Canada?

Is your Canadian work permit expiring soon? While that approaching date can be stressful, applying for an extension is a standard, manageable process. This guide covers identifying your permit type, gathering documents, submitting your application, and understanding the protections you have while you wait.

As long as you submit your extension application before your current one expires, a rule from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) allows you to legally continue working. Knowing this and the steps ahead can provide peace of mind and ensure your work and life in Canada continue without interruption.

First Step: Is Your Work Permit Open or Closed? Can I extend my work permit in Canada?

First, check your work permit document. The most important detail for your extension is the 'Employer' field, which determines your next steps. If a specific company is named, you have a Closed Work Permit, tying you to that one employer. If the field says 'any employer' or is blank, you hold an Open Work Permit, giving you the freedom to work for most Canadian companies. This distinction is crucial for your renewal process.

Knowing your permit type directly impacts your Canada work permit extension eligibility requirements. Extending a closed permit means your employer must provide new supporting documents. In contrast, an open permit renewal is generally a more independent process. With your permit type identified, the next critical question is when to apply.

When to Apply: The Most Important Rule for Your Extension

The most critical rule for your extension is to submit your application before your current work permit expires. While the official deadline is the expiry date itself, applying at least 30 days in advance is a much safer strategy. Missing this deadline by even a single day has serious consequences for your ability to work.

Applying on time grants you a crucial legal protection. As long as IRCC receives your extension application before your current permit expires, you can legally continue working under the same conditions while you wait for their decision. This provides the peace of mind that you won’t have an interruption to your job or income.

If your work permit has already expired, you must stop working immediately. You might be able to apply for Restoration of Status, but this is a more complex, costly, and uncertain process that offers no guarantee you can resume working. Avoiding this stressful situation is the strongest reason to get your application in on time.

Your Document Checklist for the IRCC Online Application

Preparing your documents ahead of time will speed up the IRCC online application. All applicants need digital copies of the following:

• A scan of your current work permit.

• Scans of your passport (the bio-data page with your photo and any pages with stamps or visas).

• A recent digital photo that meets IRCC's specific requirements.

If you are extending a closed work permit, your employer has a crucial role. In addition to a new job offer letter, they must provide you with an Offer of Employment number for LMIA Exempt Category. This is a seven-digit number (usually starting with an "A") that confirms your employer has submitted the offer and paid their compliance fee. You will need this number to complete your application.

You’ll also need to pay the government fees online. The total work permit renewal Canada fee consists of the permit processing fee and, in some cases, a biometrics for work permit renewal fee. This $85 fee covers the cost of your fingerprints and photo. However, if you have already provided biometrics for a Canadian visa application in the last 10 years, you likely won't need to provide them or pay the fee again. The online system will calculate the exact fees you owe.

Can I Work While Waiting? Understanding ‘Implied Status’

The waiting period can be stressful, especially with the current Canada work permit extension processing time often taking months. Fortunately, a special rule protects you if your current permit expires before you receive a decision.

As long as you submitted your extension application before your old one expired, you can legally continue to work. This is known as Implied Status. It acts as a temporary, invisible bridge that keeps your legal work status active while you wait for IRCC's decision. This crucial protection ensures you can keep your job and income without interruption.

The key limitation of an implied status Canada work permit is that you must maintain the exact same conditions of your previous permit. If you hold a closed work permit, you must continue working for that same employer in the same role. You cannot change jobs or employers while you are on implied status.

What is a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) and Do I Qualify?

For those on the path to Permanent Residence, a standard extension isn't your only option. The government offers a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) to "bridge" the gap, allowing you to keep working after your current permit expires but before you get a final decision on your PR application. It’s a specific type of work permit extension Canada provides to support future permanent residents.

The bridging open work permit eligibility is quite specific. You generally qualify if your current work permit expires within four months and you have submitted a PR application. You must have received your Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR)—the official confirmation from IRCC that they have received and will begin processing your PR application. These two conditions are the essential gateway to applying for a BOWP.

The main advantage is that it’s an open work permit. Unlike a closed permit, a BOWP provides the freedom to work for almost any employer in Canada. This flexibility offers more security and career options while you await the final outcome of your PR application.

Your Next Steps: From Application Submitted to New Permit in Hand

With your permit type confirmed and documents gathered, you can confidently apply online before your current permit expires. This is the most effective way to secure Implied Status, which allows you to continue working legally while you await a decision from IRCC.

By following these steps, you avoid common and preventable work permit extension refusal reasons, such as missing files or incomplete forms. The wait during the Canada work permit extension processing time is much less stressful knowing your ability to work is protected, allowing your Canadian journey to continue without interruption.