Is your PGWP expiring? Here's what you need to do

If Your Permit Expires After You Apply

• Maintained Status: If you apply to extend or change your work permit before it expires, you can legally stay and continue working in Canada until a decision is made.
• Proof of Work Authorization: The type of proof depends on whether you applied online or on paper.
  
  

If Your Permit Expires Before You Apply

• Stop Working: You must stop working if your permit expires before you apply for a new work permit, study permit, or visitor record, or if you didn’t respect the conditions of your permit.
• Restoring Status: You may apply to restore your status as a worker.
  
  

Restoring Your Status and Getting a Work Permit

• Expiry Date: The expiry date on your permit is when you must stop working. You lose your status if it expires before you apply to extend or change it, or if you don’t respect permit conditions.
• Lost Status: Stop working immediately and apply to restore status to stay and work in Canada again.
  
  

Family Members

• Separate Applications: Family members must apply separately and pay restoration fees if they lose their status.
  
  

Changing Your Permit

• Restore First: Restore your initial permit and status before applying for a different permit.
  
  

Eligibility for Status Restoration

• Apply Within 90 Days: You can apply within 90 days of losing your status if you met all conditions of your expired permit and didn’t work illegally.
• More Than 90 Days: Leave Canada and reapply from outside if it’s been more than 90 days.
  
  

How to Apply

• Online Applications: Preferred method for instant submission, completeness check, and status updates.
• Fees: Expect to pay restoration and work permit processing fees, and possibly open work permit and biometrics fees.
• Paper Applications: For those who can’t apply online due to disabilities or technical issues.
  
  

After You Apply

Waiting for Decision: Stay in Canada while awaiting a decision, but you can’t work until your status is restored and a new permit is issued.