Work Permit Already Expired: Check 90-Day Steps

Count 90 days from your permit’s expiry date, and do not work while you decide what to do. The next page explains when restoration may apply and where to check IRCC guidance.

Start with the expiry date

The date that matters is the expiry date on your work permit. If you are still within the first 90 days after that date, IRCC says you can apply to restore your work permit. This is different from applying to extend a permit before it expires. An extension is handled while status is still valid; restoration is the route described by IRCC after expiry.

Count carefully and keep a copy of the permit showing its expiry date. Do not assume that a job offer, a pending discussion with an employer, or an earlier plan to extend automatically gives you work authorization after the permit has expired. The immediate issue is whether you can remain in Canada and what you are allowed to do while IRCC considers the situation.

Separate staying in Canada from working

The official guidance makes an important distinction. A person who applies to restore a work permit within the first 90 days may stay in Canada until receiving further instructions. That does not mean they may keep doing paid work, unpaid work that normally requires authorization, or work for a different employer. IRCC’s answer is direct: work must stop until a restored permit is received.

That distinction can feel disruptive, especially when work income is essential. Still, it is better to treat the pause as a compliance step rather than trying to guess whether an application has changed your status. Tell your employer only what you need to explain that you cannot work for now, and keep your own records of dates and communications.

Prepare a calm, accurate next step

1. Check the date Read the expiry date on the permit and determine whether it was less than 90 days ago.
2. Pause work Do not work while waiting for a restored work permit.
3. Read the official guidance Use the detailed guide on the next page before deciding how to proceed.
4. Get qualified help if needed For advice about your specific facts, consider an authorized Canadian immigration representative or lawyer.

If more than 90 days have passed, the situation is not the same as the restoration route described on this page. IRCC states that otherwise you must leave Canada right away when the work permit expires. Because immigration facts can be specific, do not rely on a general article to decide an exceptional case. Use the official information and obtain qualified advice where appropriate.

The detailed guide below focuses on the practical sequence: confirming the time window, understanding the work pause, and going to the official IRCC page. It is designed to help you check the basics without making promises about approval.

Frequently asked questions