How To Continue Work After Work Permit Expiry – Plan Ahead!

Last Updated On 31 August 2023, 9:36 AM EDT (Toronto Time)

To work in Canada as a temporary resident, you require a valid work permit. It is a piece of paper that consists of your name, address, and other personal information, including your passport number.

A work permit also states your document number, application number, and UCI.

It has the specifics of the work permit (employer, location, start date, work permit expiration date, and so on). Also, if your work permit has any conditions, they are mentioned or attached to this permit. 

Know About Work Permit Expiry

You can only work in Canada, until the expiration date of the work permit. All closed or open work permits (including the Post Graduation Work Permit, or PGWP) have this expiration date.

However, you can request a new work permit before the permit’s expiration date. This is only when you meet the conditions of a new application or extension.

Apart from this, individuals with “soon to be” or “after expiry” work permits can apply for a study permit, if they enroll in a Designated learning institution (DLI) and extend their stay in Canada.

Also, if you have submitted a complete package before the expiration date of the work permit, you can continue working even after the expiration of your existing work permit.

This is called “implied status” meaning you can continue on your previous status until a final decision is made on your application.

Implied Status Meaning For Visitors, Students Or Workers-All You Need To Know

So, you can stay and work in Canada because you have a maintained status in Canada. As mentioned earlier, you need to obey the terms and conditions of your previous work permit.

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) usually give you a transitional work permit. This helps you maintain your status in Canada.

However, even if they do not give you a transitional work permit, you can work in Canada.

Moreover, sometimes IRCC issues certain public policies to make it easy for applicants to continue working.

For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a policy that let workers switch employers immediately. But, this was just an exception because of COVID.

Applying after the Expiration Date

You need to apply for a new work permit before the expiry of your work permit. If you fail to do so, you lose your status in Canada.

However, if your work permit has expired you can—

1. Apply for restoration of status within 90 days after the expiry of the work permit. When you apply for restoration of status, you do not have any status in Canada. So, you cannot work in Canada until you receive a decision on your work permit application.
2. Apply for a study permit.
3. Consider alternative options like applying for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP).
4. Or, you can apply for a PR under the H&C if there are enough grounds for it.

The first and second options are quite common and often used. Whereas the option 2 and 3 are possible, but are quite complex with long wait times.

How To Restore Temporary Residence Status In Canada

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