How to Extend Your Work Permit in Canada:
A Guide written by a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Working in Canada as a foreign worker can be a great experience, but what happens when your work permit is about to expire? In this situation, you'll need to apply to extend your work permit. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to extend your work permit in Canada.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Before applying to extend your work permit, it's important to ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria. You may be eligible to extend your work permit if:
You have a valid job offer from your Canadian employer
You have a valid work permit and are eligible to work in Canada
You are applying to extend your work permit before it expired
You are still in compliance with the conditions of your initial work permit
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
To extend your work permit, you'll need to provide several documents to the Canadian government. These may include:
A valid job offer from your employer, often supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment
Proof of identity, such as a passport or birth certificate
Proof of your current immigration status in Canada
Proof of your work history in the last 10 years
Proof of your education and training
Step 3: Submit Your Application
Once you have all of the required documents, you can submit your application to extend your work permit. We recommend that you file online through the government’s gckey portal.
When applying online, you'll need to create an account and submit your application through the government's online portal. When applying by mail, you'll need to print and complete the relevant forms, then mail them along with your supporting documents to the address indicated on the forms.
Step 4: Wait for a Decision
After you submit your application, you'll need to wait for a decision from the Canadian government. The processing time for work permit extensions can vary, so be sure to check the government's website for the most up-to-date information. This can often take several months for processing. Depending on your conditions on your previous work permit, you may be able to continue working for your employer while you await a decision on this work permit application.
Step 5: Receive Your Extended Work Permit
If your application is approved, you'll receive your extended work permit. Be sure to keep it in a safe place, as you'll need to present it to border officials whenever you enter Canada, it will be mailed to you at the address indicated on your work permit application form (IMM5710).
In sum, extending your work permit in Canada is a straightforward process, but it is important to ensure you are eligible and that you have the required documents to extend your status. Most open work permit holders will require an LMIA-supported job offer to extend their work permit in Canada.. By gathering the required documents, submitting a complete application, and waiting for a decision, you'll be able to continue working in Canada and enjoy all the benefits it has to offer.
What is a Service Canada employer inspection and how do I prepare for one?
Employer inspections conducted by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) aim to ensure that employers are complying with the conditions of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and International Mobility Program (IMP). During an inspection, an ESDC officer will visit the workplace to review the following:
Proof of a valid job offer
Compliance with the wages, working conditions, and occupation offered to the foreign worker as stated in the offer of employment
Proof of compliance with the TFWP or IMP requirements, such as the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or the International Mobility Agreement
The inspector may also review other documents, such as payroll records and employment contracts, to verify that the foreign worker is being paid according to the offer of employment and that their working conditions are in compliance with the TFWP or IMP. They will ensure that you as an employer are not over or underpaying the foreign workers.
The biggest issue we see with these inspections is where an employer is unknowingly paying the foreign worker too much compared to the original job offer, or where an employer is paying the foreign worker less than Canadian workers on site who are working in the same position.
As an employer it is important that you understand the rules pertaining to employing foreign workers in your Canadian company. The inspections are usually conducted in person. You will receive notice of the inspection before the inspector arrives. The inspector will review the workplace for compliance, but most of the evidence provided will be paper-based.
If the inspector finds any non-compliance issues, the employer may face consequences, such as fines, revoking of the LMIA, or a ban from the TFWP. In serious cases, the employer may also face criminal charges.It is important for employers to understand their responsibilities and to comply with the TFWP and IMP requirements to avoid any negative consequences from an ESDC employer inspection.
Calver Immigration Consulting Inc. can assist employers to work through any inspections or audits conducted by ESDC. Most ESDC compliance inspections go smoothly, however it is helpful to ensure that you know what will be reviewed during these inspections, to ensure that you are compliant with program requirements.
If you have any questions about How to work and travel in Canada with a Working Holiday Visa, please feel free to reach out. Please also join my Facebook Immigration Discussion group for Immigration Consultants and lawyers online here.
Our Services
Calver Immigration Consulting Inc. is rated Canada's number one boutique immigration consultancy. We serve clients across Canada and internationally. Our Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant has over 10 years of experience in Canadian Immigration law and over four years of experience serving those in Canada and abroad.
We can assist with applications for both temporary and permanent residency in Canada. We handle applications for study permits, permanent residency, family class sponsorship, visitor visas, work permits, and Canadian citizenship. We also handle criminal inadmissibility cases by developing remedies for refusal.
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