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Are you currently working in Canada and worried that your work permit is about to expire? You are not alone. Many temporary foreign workers and international graduates face uncertainty when their Canadian work authorization approaches its expiry date. Understanding your options early can help you make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary complications.

A Canada work permit extension may be an option for eligible individuals, but not everyone qualifies for the same type of application. Your options depend on your current permit, employment situation, immigration history, and eligibility under the applicable program.

Whether you hold an employer-specific work permit, a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), or an open work permit, it is important to understand what steps you can take before your current authorization expires.

1. Understand your Work Permit type-

Before exploring an extension, identify the type of work permit you currently hold. Canada generally issues two main types of work permits.

a. Employer-specific work permit:

An employer-specific (closed) work permit allows you to work under the strict conditions listed on your permit. These conditions include:

• Your employer’s legal name

• Your specific occupation (NOC)

• Your designated work location

• Other employment restrictions

If your employer-specific permit is approaching expiry, you may need to apply for an extension or a new work permit with an updated Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA-exempt offer of employment.

b. Open work permit:

An open work permit allows you to work for almost any eligible employer in Canada without needing a specific job offer or LMIA. However, open work permits are available only under specific eligibility categories, such as spousal open work permits, certain international graduate streams, or special temporary public policies. If your open work permit is expiring, you must confirm whether you meet the criteria for a extension or transition to another stream.

2. Can you extend your work permit?

Yes, eligible workers can apply to extend their work authorization from inside Canada. However, approval is not automatic. Possible extension pathways include:

• Extending an employer-specific permit with an updated LMIA or LMIA exemption.

• Qualifying for an eligible open work permit category (such as a Bridging Open Work Permit).

• Meeting the requirements of specific temporary public policies introduced by IRCC.

A job offer alone does not guarantee work permit approval. You and your employer must fulfill all compliance and program requirements prior to submission.

3. What is maintained status in Canada?

One of the most vital concepts for temporary workers is maintained status (formerly referred to by IRCC as Implied Status under Regulation 186(u) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations). If you submit a complete and eligible application to extend or change your work permit before your current permit expires, you automatically maintain legal temporary resident status while IRCC processes your application.

Working under maintained status-

• Employer-specific permit holders: You may continue working for the same employer, in the same role, and under the exact conditions listed on your expired work permit until a decision is made.

• Open work permit holders: You may continue working under open conditions until IRCC issues a final decision.

• Geographic restriction: To retain maintained status and your authorization to work, you must remain inside Canada. If you leave the country while on maintained status, your right to work ends immediately upon departure.

4. When should you apply for a work permit extension?

Timing matters, IRCC recommends applying at least 30 calendar days before your current work permit expires. However, you should begin gathering documents much earlier. For online applications, IRCC must receive your submitted application before midnight Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on the day your permit expires.

UTC midnight occurs hours earlier than local Canadian time zones (EST/PST). For example, midnight UTC is 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM Eastern Time on the date of expiry. Submitting late in the evening local time could result in a rejected, out-of-status application.

Before submitting, make sure:

• You have selected the correct application category.

• All forms are signed and dated.

• Application fees (including open work permit or holder fees) are paid in full.

• Your passport is valid for the requested duration.

5. What documents do you need?

Depending on your application category, you should prepare:

Personal and identity documents:

• Valid passport (ensure it covers your intended period of stay).

• Current work permit.

• Digital photo meeting IRCC specifications.

• Application forms (e.g., IMM 5710).

Employment documents:

• Current job offer letter and employment contract.

• Detailed reference letter outlining job duties, hours, and wage.

• Positive LMIA decision letter or LMIA-exempt Offer of Employment number (A-number).

• Recent pay stubs and T4 statements.

Category-specific support:

• Proof of relationship for spousal work permits.

• Proof of permanent residence application submission (e.g., AOR letter) for Bridging Open Work Permits.

6. What if your passport expires soon?

IRCC cannot issue a work permit that exceeds the validity of your passport. If your passport expires in 6 months, your new work permit will only be issued for 6 months, even if your LMIA or job offer is approved for 2 years. Whenever possible, renew your passport before applying for a work permit extension.

7. What if you want to change employers?

Your options depend on your current work permit type:

• Open work permit holders: You can switch employers at any time without notifying IRCC, provided the employer is eligible.

• Employer-specific work permit holders: You cannot start working for a new employer until your new work permit is approved- unless you obtain interim authorization.

• Changing Employers under IRCC Public Policy: If you hold a closed work permit and have applied for a new employer-specific permit, you can submit an IRCC Webform request forInterim Work Authorization. Once IRCC issues an official confirmation email authorizing the change (typically within 10 to 15 business days), you can lawfully begin working for your new employer while your main application continues processing.

8. What if your work permit has already expired?

If your work permit expired before you submitted an extension application, you have lost your legal temporary resident status.

Restoration of status requirements:

• You must apply for restoration of status within 90 calendar days of the date your status expired.

• You MUST STOP working immediately upon permit expiration. Submitting a restoration application does NOT grant you maintained status or authorization to work.

• You must pay both the work permit fee and the restoration fee.

Working while out of status is unauthorized employment and can lead to serious immigration consequences.

9. Can you apply for Permanent Residence (BOWP options)?

Holding a work permit allows you to gain Canadian work experience, which builds eligibility for Permanent Residence (PR) streams such as:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry

• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)

• Sector-specific pilot programs

Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)-

If you have submitted a PR application under Express Entry or a PNP stream and received your official Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) letter, you may be eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP).

• You are eligible to apply for a BOWP if your current work permit is set to expire within 4 months (or if you are currently under maintained status after applying before expiry).

• A BOWP allows you to keep working with open authorization while IRCC finalizes your permanent residence application.

10. Common work permit extension mistakes to avoid-

1. Confusing UTC submission deadlines: Submitting late on the evening of expiry due to local vs. UTC time differences.

2. Starting work for a new Employer early: Commencing a new job on a closed permit without waiting for full approval or an official IRCC Interim Authorization email.

3. Ignoring passport expiry dates: Getting a shortened work permit due to an expiring passport.

4. Continuing to work after status expiry: Working during the 90-day restoration window without valid authorization.

5. Leaving Canada while on maintained status: Traveling abroad and losing the right to work upon re-entry.

How Four Pillars Immigration can help?

Navigating work permit rules, maintained status conditions, and timing requirements demands precise planning. At Four Pillars Immigration Consultancy Services, we assist temporary foreign workers and employers across Brampton and the GTA with:

• Work permit extensions and renewals.

• Employer-specific and LMIA-exempt work permits.

• Interim work authorization webform requests.

• Bridging Open Work Permits (BOWP).

• Restoration of status applications.

• Permanent residence transition strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I continue working if my work permit expires?

Yes, provided you submitted your extension application before your permit expired, remain inside Canada, and adhere to your original permit conditions under Maintained Status.

2. What was Maintained Status called previously?

Maintained Status was previously known as Implied Status in IRCC terminology and under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

3. When should I apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)?

You can apply for a BOWP if you have received your PR Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) letter and your current work permit expires within 4 months.

4. Can I change employers immediately after submitting a new closed work permit application?

No. You must either wait for final permit approval or request and receive an official Interim Work Authorization confirmation email from IRCC via webform before starting work with the new employer.

5. What happens if I miss the 90-day restoration deadline?

If 90 days pass after your status expires without filing a restoration application, you can no longer restore your status from inside Canada and must leave the country.