How to Extend a Work Permit Under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

If you’re working in Canada with a Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) work permit and need more time, it’s important to understand the steps for applying for an extension. This guide will walk you through the reasons you might need an extension, who qualifies, and how to apply.

Why Extend Your TFWP Work Permit?

Work permits under the TFWP have a set expiration date. To continue working in Canada beyond that date, you’ll need to apply for an extension. You might also need to make changes to the conditions of your work permit, such as if:

• Your job duties or pay have changed.
• You’ve been offered a new position with your current employer.
• You’re starting a job with a new employer.

Applying before your permit expires allows you to maintain your legal status in Canada while Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reviews your application. This maintained status lets you keep working under your current permit conditions until a decision is made.

Steps to Extend Your TFWP Work Permit

1. Check Your Eligibility:
   Make sure you meet the criteria to extend your permit. This includes having a valid job offer, your employer holding a positive or neutral Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), and ensuring that your passport is not about to expire.
2. Confirm Your Passport’s Validity:
   Your new permit cannot extend past your passport’s expiration date. If your passport is set to expire soon, consider renewing it before applying.
3. Verify the LMIA:
   A work permit under the TFWP requires an LMIA. Your employer must apply for this document, and it must have a positive or neutral outcome. Since LMIAs can take time, it’s important to start this process early. Be aware that some applications may be refused, such as for certain low-wage positions or in regions with high unemployment rates.
4. Submit Your Application:
   Once your employer has the LMIA, they’ll provide you with the approval letter and a job offer letter. With these documents in hand, you can apply online through IRCC’s website. The online process involves:
   
   
• Filling out the application form.
• Uploading the necessary documents (like your passport, LMIA, and job offer letter).
• Paying the application fee (CAD $155) and, if applicable, the biometrics fee (CAD $85).

Online applications often allow you to receive updates, submit additional documents as needed, and get a confirmation letter showing you can continue working under your current conditions until a decision is made.

Documents You May Need:

• A valid passport.
• A copy of the LMIA.
• A copy of your job offer letter.
• Proof of current employment.
• Any other documents requested by IRCC.
  
  

Biometrics (If Required):
Some applicants may need to provide biometrics. If this applies to you, pay the fee, wait for the instruction letter, and book an appointment at an official collection site.

Exceptions for Starting Work with a New Employer:
Typically, you cannot start a new job on a TFWP permit until you receive a new permit. However, due to a temporary public policy introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic, some foreign workers may begin a new job before the new permit is issued. If eligible, you must apply from inside Canada, follow specific instructions on the IRCC web form, and include the code “PPCHANGEWORK2020” in your application.

What Is the TFWP?
The TFWP helps Canadian employers hire foreign workers when no qualified Canadians are available. Work permits under this program are “closed,” meaning they’re tied to a single employer. To hire through the TFWP, an employer needs a positive LMIA to show there aren’t Canadian workers ready or able to fill the job.