If you hold a Canadian work permit and want to continue working after it expires, you must apply to extend (renew) your work permit before the expiry date. Timing is critical — applying early protects your status, your right to work, and your options. This guide covers the full process from when to apply through to what happens if something goes wrong.
Calculate Your Work Permit Fees
Work permit extension fees are $255 CAD. Use our fee calculator to see all IRCC fees in one place.
Open Fee CalculatorWhen Should You Apply to Extend Your Work Permit?
IRCC strongly recommends applying at least 4 months (ideally earlier) before your work permit expires. The absolute minimum is to apply before the expiry date — not on the expiry date, not after it. If you apply before your permit expires, you gain the protection of implied status (see below), which allows you to continue working while your application is processed.
Why 4 Months?
Work permit extension processing times can range from weeks to several months, depending on the work permit stream, your employer's LMIA status, and IRCC workload. Applying early ensures your extension is likely approved before your current permit expires — or at minimum, you are protected by implied status throughout processing. Check the IRCC website for current processing time estimates for your specific permit type.
⚠️ Critical: Apply BEFORE Expiry
If your work permit expires and you have NOT submitted an extension application, you immediately lose your status and your authorization to work in Canada. You cannot apply for an extension after the fact — you would need to apply to restore your status (a separate, more complex process) or leave Canada and re-enter with a new permit.
Implied Status — What It Is and What It Lets You Do
Under IRPR s.183(5), if you apply to extend your work permit before your current permit expires, you are allowed to remain in Canada and continue working under the same conditions as your expiring permit while your application is being processed. This is called implied status(sometimes referred to as maintained status in common usage).
✓ What You CAN Do
- • Continue working for the same employer under the same conditions as your expiring permit
- • Remain in Canada legally
- • Continue to accumulate work experience for PR purposes
✗ What You CANNOT Do
- • Change employers (unless permitted by your permit type)
- • Leave and re-enter Canada (you would not be re-admitted under implied status)
- • Work for a different employer if your permit is employer-specific
Important: If you leave Canada while in implied status, you lose implied status and cannot re-enter Canada until your new work permit is approved and you hold the actual document. Do not travel outside Canada if your permit has expired and your extension is pending.
How to Apply to Extend Your Work Permit
Work permit extensions are processed online through IRCC's secure portal in most cases. Paper applications are available for those who cannot apply online, but online is strongly preferred and generally faster.
- 1Confirm your permit type and employer: Determine whether your work permit is employer-specific (closed) or open. Extensions for employer-specific permits typically require a new LMIA or LMIA-exempt justification from your employer.
- 2Gather supporting documents: Typically includes a copy of your current work permit, employment letter or contract, recent pay stubs, LMIA (if applicable), and identity documents. Use our Document Checklist for your specific permit category.
- 3Complete and submit the application online: Log into your IRCC secure account and submit the extension application (form IMM 1295 for most work permit applications). Ensure all information is accurate — errors can cause delays or refusals.
- 4Pay the application fee: The work permit extension fee is $255 CAD (as of March 2026). Check the IRCC website for the most current fee schedule, as fees are subject to change.
- 5Await a decision: IRCC will process your application and either approve (issuing a new work permit) or refuse. If approved, you may receive a Port of Entry Letter of Introduction to collect your permit when you next cross the border, or it may be mailed.
Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
If you have applied for permanent residence through a federal economic immigration program (Express Entry, PNP, etc.) and your work permit is expiring while your PR application is in process, you may be eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP).
A BOWP is an open work permit — meaning you can work for any employer in Canada — that bridges the gap between your expiring employer-specific work permit and the anticipated approval of your permanent residence application.
BOWP Eligibility Requirements
- ✓ You currently hold a valid employer-specific work permit
- ✓ You have an active permanent residence application in a qualifying program (Express Entry, most PNPs, Atlantic Immigration Program, etc.)
- ✓ Your PR application has passed the eligibility screening stage (you have received an AOR — Acknowledgment of Receipt)
- ✓ Your current work permit expires within the next 4 months (or has already expired if you are in implied status)
The BOWP fee is the same $255 CAD as a regular work permit extension. It is valid until a decision is made on your PR application (or for a set period — check IRCC for current terms).
What Happens If Your Employer Changes?
If your work permit is employer-specific (closed) and you change employers, you generally cannot simply transfer your permit — you need a new work permit for the new employer before you start working for them.
LMIA-Required Jobs
Your new employer must obtain a new Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before you can work for them. You cannot start working until you have a work permit in the new employer's name.
LMIA-Exempt Jobs (CUSMA, ICT, etc.)
If the new position qualifies for an LMIA exemption, your new employer submits the appropriate compliance fee and employer-specific information through IRCC's employer portal, and you apply for a new work permit. Again, you must have the new permit before starting work.
Open Work Permit Holders
If you hold an open work permit (including a BOWP), you may change employers freely without a new work permit application, as long as your open work permit remains valid.
What Happens If Your Work Permit Expires Without an Extension?
If your work permit expires and you did not apply to extend before the expiry date, you lose your status and your right to work in Canada immediately. Your options become significantly more limited:
Restoration of Status
You may apply to restore your status as a worker within 90 days of your permit expiring, under IRPR s.182. Restoration requires paying a $229 CAD fee (as of March 2026 — verify with IRCC) in addition to the new work permit fee ($255). You cannot work during the restoration period. Restoration is not guaranteed — IRCC may refuse if you worked without authorization or there are other compliance issues.
After 90 Days — Leave Required
If more than 90 days have passed since your permit expired, you are no longer eligible for in-Canada restoration. You would need to leave Canada and apply for a new work permit from abroad, or through a port of entry if you qualify. Remaining in Canada without status beyond this point is a violation that can affect future immigration applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a work permit extension cost in Canada?+
As of March 2026, the work permit extension fee is $255 CAD. A Bridging Open Work Permit costs the same. If you also need to restore your status (applied after expiry), the restoration fee is $229 CAD on top of the work permit fee. Always verify fees on the IRCC website before applying.
Can I extend my work permit if my current employer is the same?+
Yes, if you are staying with the same employer and the same type of work, and your employer still has a valid LMIA (or qualifies for an LMIA exemption), you can apply to extend your employer-specific work permit. Your employer may need to re-submit compliance information through the employer portal.
Can I travel outside Canada while my work permit extension is pending?+
You should not leave Canada while in implied status (after your permit has expired but your extension is pending). Leaving Canada ends your implied status, and you cannot re-enter until your new permit is issued. If your current permit is still valid and your extension is just submitted, you may be able to travel — but confirm with an immigration consultant first.
How long does a work permit extension take to process?+
Processing times vary by program and IRCC workload. Check the IRCC website for current processing time estimates specific to your work permit category. This is why applying 4+ months early is strongly recommended.
What is the difference between a work permit renewal and a new work permit?+
In practice, extending a work permit from inside Canada is processed as a new application — you are applying for a new work permit. The difference is that in-Canada extensions allow implied status protection if applied before expiry, whereas a new work permit obtained outside Canada does not involve implied status.
Important: Immigration rules, fees, and processing times change. Always verify current information on the IRCC website before submitting any application. This guide is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer for your specific situation.
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