What to Do If Your Canada Work Permit Expired | All you need to Know

What to Do If Your Work Permit Has Expired

If your work permit has expired while you are in Canada, you still have options. What you can do depends on when you applied and what type of application you submitted.

If Your Permit Expires After You Apply

When you apply to extend or change the conditions of your work permit before it expires, you receive “maintained status.” This means you can remain in Canada while IRCC reviews your application.

What This Means for You

You can continue working legally as long as your application is still in progress.

What You Can Continue Doing

• Employer-specific permit: You may keep working for the same employer, in the same job, at the same location.
• Open work permit: You are free to switch employers or jobs.

If You Applied to Extend Your Work Permit

When you submit an extension application on time, you keep the right to stay and work in Canada.

Maintained Status

You keep your work rights until IRCC makes a decision.

Working Under the Same Conditions

You must continue working under the same rules listed on your original permit.

Important Note

You cannot renew provincial documents such as your health card or driver’s license until your updated work permit is approved. Make sure to track the expiry dates for these documents.

Applying for or Updating Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)

During maintained status, Service Canada will not issue a new SIN or update the expiry date on your current SIN. Even so, you may still work under the same conditions as your previous permit.
Plan to update your SIN once IRCC finalizes your new status.

Proof That You Can Keep Working

Your employer may ask for proof that you can legally keep working.

• If you applied online, you can show the confirmation letter from IRCC.
• If you applied on paper, you may need to provide a courier receipt or other evidence showing when IRCC received your application.

Always keep these documents accessible.

If You Applied for a Different Work Permit

If you applied to change employers, jobs, or work locations, you still hold maintained status after your permit expires. However, you must continue with your original employer until IRCC approves the new permit. You may not start the new job until you receive approval.

As mentioned earlier, you also cannot update your SIN or renew provincial documents during this period.

If You Applied for a Study Permit or Visitor Record

When you switch to a study permit or visitor record, your authorization to work ends once your work permit expires.

Study Permit Applicants

You must stop working and cannot study until IRCC makes a decision.

Visitor Record Applicants

You must stop working immediately and wait until your visitor status is approved.

If Your Work Permit Expired Before You Applied

If your work permit expires before you submit a new application, you must stop working right away. You cannot continue working or remain in Canada without restoring your status.

What Happens Next

You must submit an application to restore your status. Only after IRCC approves the restoration can you legally resume work or stay in Canada.

What Matters Most

• Apply early to avoid losing status.
• If your permit expires after you apply, you can stay and keep working under maintained status.
• Track your SIN and provincial document expiry dates.
• If your permit expires before you apply, you must stop working immediately and restore your status.

Get in touch with SPS Global

Receive professional advice on any of your questions regarding Canadian immigration. get in touch with us, experienced immigration consultants from SPS Canada. For additional information, contact support@spscanada.com (Canada) or support.amd@spscanada.com (Ahmedabad), or by phone at (1) 905-362-9393 (Canada) or +919586226232 (Ahmedabad).