If you have applied for a new work permit to either change your employer, job, or work location, you are considered to have maintained your status. You can therefore continue to work with the expired permit until a decision is made on your application, provided you work under the same conditions, employer, location, etc. as your expired permit.
However, if you have applied for a study permit or to extend your stay in Canada as a visitor, you can only work until your current work permit expires. Also, you can only start studying after IRCC processes and approves your application.
You should note that you cannot extend your work permit beyond your passport’s expiry date.
How Can I Prove to My Employer That I Can Keep Working?
If your work permit has expired and you want to keep working, you will need to prove to your employer that you can keep working. Once you apply for a work permit renewal, IRCC will send you a letter to confirm your status and that you are allowed to work in Canada. The letter will state the conditions under which you should continue working after your work permit expires.
What If My Permit Expires Before I Apply to Renew It?
If your work permit expires before you apply to renew it, you will no longer have legal status to work in Canada. However, you may be eligible to restore your status as a worker. To do so, you must meet certain conditions and apply to IRCC.
To be eligible to restore your status, you must:
- Have held a valid work permit that has expired within the last 90 days
- Meet the same eligibility requirements that you met when you first received your work permit such as not having worked illegally
- Maintained all the conditions listed on your expired permit before it expired
- Submit a complete application, including all required documents and fees
If your application is approved, you will be issued a new work permit. Please note that IRCC does not offer any guarantee to restore your status or for a new permit.
