Work Permit Extensions

A work permit only allows a foreign national to work in Canada temporarily. There are four situations in which workers must extend or change their Canadian temporary work permits:

• The worker’s job is extended or changed: In these cases, foreign workers must immediately apply to extend or change the conditions of their current work permit before the permit expires.
• The worker is offered a different job in Canada: In these cases, a worker must apply for a completely new work permit and cannot start their new job without a new work permit. The new work permit must reflect the worker’s new job.
• The worker wants to live and work in Canada permanently: In these cases, the worker must apply under one of Canada’s permanent residence categories.
• The worker wants to leave Canada and then re-enter: When work permit holders leave Canada, they will be allowed to make arrangements to extend their work permit. This will allow the holder to resume work when he/she returns to Canada.