Same employer, same job
A straightforward extension where nothing has changed except the dates.
Most common
Extensions & status
Apply before it expires. Everything depends on that.
One date decides your next year. Apply to extend before your permit expires and you generally keep working under maintained status. Apply after, and you are out of status, out of work, and into restoration.
RCIC-led
Brampton & London
Reviewed July 2026
Before expiry
The golden rule
Filing on time is what preserves your right to work.
Maintained status
While you wait
Keep working on the same conditions until a decision is made.
90 days
If you are late
The restoration window, if your permit has already expired.
2–3 months
When to start
How far ahead we recommend beginning the process.
Who needs this
Common extension situations.
Extensions are routine when planned and painful when rushed. These are the situations we see most.
New employer or role
A change of employer on an employer-specific permit needs a new permit, not just an extension.
PR application in process
A bridging open work permit may be the better route than a standard extension.
Moving from study to work
Graduates transitioning to a PGWP rather than extending a study permit.
Permit already expired
Restoration within 90 days may be possible, but you generally cannot work in the meantime.
UrgentFamily permits expiring together
Household permits that need to be renewed in a coordinated way.
The rules
How status actually works.
Maintained status
If you apply before expiry, you may generally continue working under the same conditions while a decision is pending.
It ends if you leave
Leaving Canada while on maintained status can end it. Get advice before travelling mid-application.
New employer means a new permit
On an employer-specific permit you cannot simply start a new job. Authorization must come first.
Restoration is limited
If your permit expired, you may apply within 90 days to restore status, but you generally cannot work while waiting.
LMIA timing
If your extension needs a fresh LMIA, that process must start considerably earlier.
Keep proof
Retain your submission confirmation. Employers often need evidence of your continued authorization.
How we help
How we handle extensions.
01
Work backwards from expiry
We set a filing date that leaves room for documents, employer letters and any LMIA.
02
Choose the right application
Extension, new employer-specific permit, BOWP or PGWP — they are not interchangeable.
03
Assemble it properly
Employment letters, contracts and status history that agree with each other.
04
Protect your ability to work
We file in time so maintained status carries you through the wait.
Free eligibility check
When does your permit expire?
Send us your expiry date and a licensed RCIC will confirm which application you need and exactly when to file it.
- Whether to extend, bridge, or apply fresh.
- How to keep working while you wait.
- What to do if the permit already expired.
- How to coordinate family members' permits.
Check your eligibility
Reviewed by a licensed RCIC, usually the same business day.
Thanks — we’ll be in touch
A licensed RCIC will review your details and reach out, usually the same business day.
Message us on WhatsApp Good to know
Questions, answered.
When should I apply to extend?
Two to three months before expiry is a sensible target. The essential rule is that your application must be received before your current permit expires, because that is what triggers maintained status and lets you keep working while a decision is pending.
What is maintained status?
If you apply to extend before your permit expires, you may generally continue working under the conditions of your existing permit until a decision is made. It is sometimes still called implied status. It applies only if you applied in time and you remain in Canada.
Can I travel while my extension is pending?
Travel is risky while on maintained status. Leaving Canada can end it, and re-entry depends on your remaining status and documents. If travel is unavoidable, get advice before you book anything.
My permit expired. What can I do?
You may be able to apply for restoration of status within ninety days of the expiry, but you generally cannot work while that application is pending. It is time-sensitive and not guaranteed, so act immediately rather than waiting.
Can I change employers on the same permit?
Not on an employer-specific permit. You need authorization for the new employer before you begin working. There is a public policy that can allow some workers to start sooner, and if you are leaving an abusive employer there is a dedicated vulnerable worker permit.
Should I extend, or apply for a bridging permit?
If you have a permanent residence application in process, a bridging open work permit is often the stronger option because it is not tied to one employer. Which is available depends on your PR stream and stage.