One of the most common questions people ask when their work permit is about to expire is simple: Do I have to leave Canada right away?

The answer is not always. In fact, in many situations, you can stay—and sometimes even continue working—but everything depends on what you do before and after your permit expires.

Understanding your options is critical, because the difference of even a few days can completely change your legal status in Canada.

If You Apply Before Your Work Permit Expires

The best-case scenario is when you apply to extend your work permit before its expiry date. This keeps you in Canada legally under what is now called maintained status.

In practical terms, this means that even though your current permit has expired, you are allowed to remain in Canada while waiting for a decision on your new application. More importantly, you can usually continue working—but only under the same conditions as your previous permit.

So if you had a closed work permit, you must keep working for the same employer in the same role. If you had an open work permit, you generally have more flexibility, depending on any restrictions that applied.

This period can last several months, which is why applying on time is not just recommended—it is essential. It protects both your legal status and your ability to work.

If Your Work Permit Has Already Expired

If your permit has already expired, the situation becomes more restrictive, but there is still a possible solution: restoration of status.

Canada allows you to apply for restoration within 90 days of losing your status. During this time, you can remain in the country while your application is being processed. However, there is one major limitation—you must stop working immediately.

This is where many people make a costly mistake. They assume that because they applied, they can continue working. That is not the case. Unlike maintained status, restoration does not give you the right to work while waiting for a decision.

In other words, you can stay, but you cannot work until your new permit is approved.

What If More Than 90 Days Have Passed?

Once the 90-day restoration window has passed, your options become very limited. In most cases, you are expected to leave Canada and apply again from outside the country.

At that point, there is no mechanism to regain your status from within Canada, which can significantly delay your plans and complicate your immigration process.

Can You Switch to Another Status Instead?

In some situations, extending your work permit may not be possible or may not be the best option. You might instead consider changing your status—for example, applying to remain in Canada as a visitor or transitioning to a study permit.

This can help you stay in Canada legally, but it’s important to understand that changing your status does not allow you to keep working unless you have specific authorization to do so.

Where Things Often Go Wrong

Most status problems don’t happen because people don’t qualify—they happen because of timing and misunderstandings.

A very common example is someone waiting until the last minute to apply, only to realize that they are missing documents or need employer support. Others assume that having a permanent residence application in progress automatically allows them to stay or work. It does not.

Another frequent issue is continuing to work after a permit expires, without realizing that they no longer have authorization. Even a short period of unauthorized work can create serious complications for future applications.

A Simple Rule That Saves a Lot of Trouble

If there is one takeaway from all of this, it is this: apply early.

Submitting your application at least a few weeks before your permit expires gives you room to fix issues, gather documents, and avoid falling out of status. It also ensures that you can benefit from maintained status, which is by far the most favorable situation.

Final Thoughts

When your work permit is expiring, your options are not defined by your situation alone—they are defined by timing.

Applying before expiry allows you to stay and continue working. Applying after expiry may still allow you to stay, but without the right to work. Missing the deadlines altogether can mean having to leave Canada and start over.

These are very different outcomes, and they often come down to a single decision: when you act.

Need Help With Your Work Permit Extension?

Every case is different, and small details can have a big impact on your status.

At Shevchenko Immigration, we help you understand your options, prepare the right application, and avoid mistakes that could affect your future in Canada.

If your work permit is expiring and you’re not sure what to do next, it’s better to address it early—before your options become limited.