Lost Your Job on a Closed Work Permit in Canada? Here’s What to Do Next

If you're a temporary foreign worker in Canada on a closed work permit, you can only work for the specific employer, at the specific job and location listed on your permit. Losing or quitting your job does not automatically give you the right to work for someone else.

However, you may still have options to stay and work in Canada legally. This article outlines two possible paths you can take:

Option 1: Apply for a New Employer-Specific Work Permit

If your work permit is still valid and your status in Canada hasn’t expired, you may be able to apply for a new closed work permit from inside Canada.

Here’s how:

1. Find a new employer who is willing to hire you.
2. Get a valid job offer and necessary documents:
• Signed employment contract
• Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), or
• If LMIA-exempt, an offer of employment number
3. Apply online for your new work permit at least 30 days before your current permit expires.
4. Pay the application fee ($155) and submit biometrics if needed.
   
   

Processing times: Currently around 210 days. Once IRCC issues a positive decision letter, you can start working even before your new permit physically arrives in the mail.

Work While You Wait for Approval

Normally, you can’t work for a new employer until your new work permit is approved. But IRCC has a temporary policy that lets you start working early while your application is being processed.

To qualify:

• Submit a request through the IRCC web form
• Use the special code "PPCHANGEWORK2020" in your message

IRCC typically responds in 10–15 days if you applied online. This can significantly reduce your waiting time to start your new job.

Option 2: Work Remotely for a Foreign Employer

If you still have valid status in Canada, you may work remotely for a foreign company without needing a Canadian work permit.

To qualify:

• The foreign employer must have no presence, operations, or clients in Canada
• You must not enter the Canadian labour market
• You must be paid from outside Canada
  
  

Before your current permit expires, you must:

• Leave Canada, or
• Apply to extend your stay or change your status (e.g., from worker to visitor)

You can apply for a Visitor Record (VR) online or by paper for $100. IRCC recommends applying at least 30 days before expiry. A VR will allow you to remain in Canada legally and continue remote work.

If your work permit has already expired and you haven’t applied for a new permit or visitor record, you must:

• Leave Canada and work remotely from abroad, or
• Leave and re-enter on a valid visitor visa, if eligible

Also, remember that even if you work for a foreign company, you may still need to file taxes in Canada as a resident.

Other Important Considerations

• If your work permit expires before you apply for a new one, you’ll need to apply from outside Canada.
• If you apply for a new work permit before expiry, you can stay in Canada on maintained status while IRCC processes your application.
• Maintained status allows you to stay legally but may limit access to services like:
• Driver’s licence renewal
• Health card renewal
• Social Insurance Number updates
  
  

If your status expires, you may apply to restore your worker status within 90 days—but only if:

• You didn’t stay beyond 90 days
• You didn’t work in unauthorized roles or locations

Your restoration application should explain why you didn’t meet your original permit conditions and show that you still qualify to work in Canada.

Priority Processing for Essential Workers

IRCC offers faster processing for jobs in agriculture, agri-food, and healthcare.

To apply:

1. Find the NOC code in your job offer or LMIA.
2. Enter only the NOC number in box 4 (“Job title”) of your application under “Details of intended work in Canada.”