Canadian temporary permits

Most pathways to permanent residence start with a temporary permit. Pick the family that matches your situation (study, work, visit) and use the eligibility tool to confirm the rules and fees that apply this year.

Frequently asked questions

When exactly does my temporary status end?

Temporary status expires on the date printed on the permit, not when the job or the school term ends, and if the permit carries a "Must leave Canada by" date, that later date is the one your status runs to. Apply to extend or change the permit before that date and you keep maintained status, which lets you stay in Canada on the same conditions while IRCC decides. Every permit tool here starts from the expiry date for that reason.

Can I keep working while my extension is being processed?

Yes, if you applied before the permit expired. Maintained status carries authorization to work without a permit until IRCC decides, as long as you stay in Canada, and you must keep working under the same conditions. An employer-specific permit means the same employer, job and work location, while an open permit holder can usually change. What maintained status does not carry is provincial paperwork: you generally cannot renew a driver's licence or health card while on it, so renew those before the permit lapses.

What if my status has already expired?

You must stop working, and the only route back is restoration. IRCC has to receive the restoration application no more than 90 days after your status expired, with a separate restoration fee on top of the fee for the new permit, and you must have met the requirements of your stay and the conditions on the expired permit. Past 90 days you have to leave Canada and reapply from outside.

Do I need an LMIA to work in Canada?

That depends on which of the two work-permit types you qualify for. An employer-specific permit ties you to one employer, job and location, and most of them require the employer to obtain a labour market impact assessment first. An open work permit is not job-specific, so there is no LMIA, no employer offer of employment and no employer compliance fee, but you can only get one in defined situations, such as a post-graduation work permit, an IEC working holiday, or as the spouse of a worker or student.

How long will my post-graduation work permit be valid?

PGWP length follows your program, capped by your passport's expiry date, whichever comes first. A program of at least 8 months (900 hours for Quebec credentials) but under 2 years earns a permit up to the same length as the program; a program of 2 years or more earns 3 years. Master's degrees are the exception. Since February 15, 2024 an 8-month master's earns the full 3 years. Most applicants have also had to submit language test results since November 1, 2024.

What does a study permit application need?

A letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution, a provincial or territorial attestation letter in most cases, proof of identity, and proof of funds. If you are studying in Quebec, a Certificat d'acceptation du Québec replaces the attestation letter. For applications on or after September 1, 2025, a single applicant outside Quebec must show $22,895 for the first year of living expenses (on top of tuition and travel, not including them) and $28,502 for a two-person family, rising with each additional member.