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If your work permit will expire soon, start with the expiry date shown on the permit and the current IRCC instructions. IRCC says it must receive an application to maintain status before the work permit expires. A complete, timely submission is therefore the central task; do not wait until after the expiry date to begin finding out what the official process requires.
This guide is for workers in Canada who need to extend a work permit or change its conditions. It explains the official online process at a high level and the records worth retaining. Your circumstances, permit conditions, employer information and supporting documents determine what you must provide, so use the personalized checklist in your IRCC account as the working list for your application.
On this page
In most cases, IRCC requires an online application to extend or change work-permit conditions. To start online, IRCC directs applicants to sign in to or create an IRCC secure account. Have a scanner or camera available for electronic document copies, and be ready for the payment method the official system requires when fees apply.
Read the conditions on your current permit before you submit anything. If you hold an employer-specific permit, the employer, job and work location shown on it are important while IRCC processes a timely extension application. An open work permit can have different rules, including any conditions printed on the document, so avoid treating one permit type as if it were another.
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Before submitting, review every required field and document against the personalized checklist. IRCC warns that an application may be refused when documents or other required information are missing. Save copies of the forms and supporting records you upload, then save the submission confirmation once the official account shows that the application has been sent.
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Prepare before opening the application
Give yourself time to read the official instructions rather than completing the form in a rush. Your personalized document checklist appears after you answer the questionnaire in your IRCC secure account. Use that checklist to organize the files you need, and make sure scans or photos are readable before you upload them.
- Check your permit Confirm the expiry date, permit type and all conditions printed on your current document.
- Check your passport Compare your passport expiry date with the end date you are requesting; IRCC says a work permit cannot extend beyond passport expiry.
- Open your IRCC account Sign in or create the secure account and complete the questionnaire carefully.
- Use the checklist Gather the documents listed for your answers and keep clear electronic copies.
- Review before submission Check that forms, documents and required information are complete before submitting.
- Keep proof Save your submitted application copy and the confirmation or receipt in a place you can access.
Submit on time and retain records
IRCC’s page explains that the time an application is received is assessed differently for online and paper applications. For online submissions, it says you must submit before midnight Coordinated Universal Time on the day your permit expires. Because the online system uses UTC, check how UTC compares with your local time instead of assuming the deadline follows your local midnight.
After an eligible online submission, look in your account for messages or letters from IRCC. The agency says that, except for PGWP holders, an eligible applicant may receive a WP-EXT letter that can be used as proof of authorization to keep working under the same conditions as the current permit. Keep the letter with your current permit and application confirmation.
Understand the conditions while IRCC processes the application
A timely application does not automatically authorize a different job or employer. IRCC says that a worker with an employer-specific permit who applied to extend it and whose permit expires while processing continues may keep working under the same conditions, including the same employer, job and work location. If you need a change, follow the official instructions that apply to that change.
Do not use this guide to decide eligibility for a special program, an LMIA or CAQ situation, or a change in work conditions. IRCC’s official instructions include specific rules for these circumstances. If the account checklist or official page asks for a document you do not have, address that issue before submitting rather than replacing it with an assumption.
Questions about extending before expiry
Use these answers as a final review prompt, then confirm current details directly with IRCC. The official application page is the source for the latest instructions and for your account-based checklist.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I apply before my work permit expires?
IRCC states that a person who applies to extend or change work-permit conditions before expiry is legally allowed to stay in Canada while the application is processed. The conditions that apply to working depend on the permit and the official guidance.
Do I need to apply online to extend my permit?
IRCC says that in most cases you must apply online to extend or change the conditions of your work permit. The official page also describes limited situations in which a paper application may be possible.
Can I work for a new employer while waiting?
If you have an employer-specific permit, do not assume a timely extension application lets you start with a new employer. IRCC says you must continue under the same conditions unless its rules or authorization say otherwise.
What should I save after submitting online?
Keep copies of your application and supporting documents, plus the confirmation or receipt from the IRCC account. If you receive an eligible WP-EXT letter, retain it with your current work permit.
