Many people planning to work in Canada don’t realize one very important thing: your passport expiry date can decide how long your work permit is valid. Even if you are fully eligible for a long work permit, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will never issue a work permit beyond your passport’s expiry date.
This small mistake often leads to people receiving a shorter work permit than expected, causing stress, extra costs, and repeat applications.
Why passport validity matters for Canadian work permits
IRCC follows Canadian immigration law, which clearly states that temporary residents must have a valid passport for their entire stay in Canada. This means you cannot work or stay in Canada once your passport expires, even if your job contract or work permit conditions were meant to last longer.
Because of this rule, IRCC officers always check your passport expiry before deciding the length of your work permit.
How IRCC decides the length of a work permit
The duration of a Canadian work permit usually depends on several factors. These include the length of your job offer, the period approved in your Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) if one is required, and most importantly, your passport validity.
Many applicants focus only on their job offer or LMIA approval and completely overlook their passport expiry. As a result, their work permit is cut short automatically, even though they qualify for a longer stay.
How this affects different types of work permits
For employer-specific work permits under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, IRCC usually matches the work permit length to the LMIA approval. However, if your passport expires earlier, your work permit will only be valid until that passport expiry date.
For example, if your LMIA allows you to work for one year but your passport expires in eight months, IRCC will issue a work permit for only eight months, not one year.
The same rule applies to Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP). Even if you qualify for the maximum three-year PGWP, you will only receive a permit valid until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
Open work permits, such as spousal open work permits or youth mobility permits, also depend on passport validity along with the supporting documents.
The most important thing to remember
No matter what type of work permit you apply for, IRCC will never issue a work permit beyond your passport expiry date. This is one of the most common and avoidable mistakes made by foreign workers and international graduates.
What to do before applying for a work permit
Before submitting any work permit application, you should check your passport validity carefully. If your passport will expire before the end of your planned stay in Canada, renew it first. Doing this early can save you time, money, and the hassle of applying again later.
Applying with a renewed passport helps ensure you receive the maximum work permit duration you are eligible for.
What to do if your work permit is already shortened
If you are already in Canada and your work permit was issued for a shorter period because of passport expiry, there is still a solution. First, you must renew your passport. Most people can renew their passport while staying and working in Canada.
Once your passport is renewed, you can apply to extend your work permit from inside Canada, as long as you still meet all eligibility requirements. It is strongly advised to apply well before your current work permit expires to avoid any gaps in your legal status.
Important note about LMIA-based work permits
LMIA validity is different from work permit validity. A positive LMIA is usually valid for six months only, meaning the work permit application must be submitted within that time.
If you need to extend an LMIA-based work permit, your employer will generally need to apply for a new LMIA. For LMIA-exempt work permits under the International Mobility Program, a new job offer submission and employer compliance fee are usually required unless the employer is exempt.
Can I extend my work permit after renewing my passport?
Yes. Once your passport is renewed, you can apply to extend your work permit, provided you still meet all program requirements.
Will IRCC automatically extend my work permit when I renew my passport?
No. Renewing your passport does not extend your work permit automatically. You must submit a new work permit extension application.
Is this rule the same for PGWP holders?
Yes. PGWP validity is also limited by passport expiry. Even if you qualify for three years, your permit will end when your passport expires.
Can I work if my passport expires but my work permit is still valid?
No. You cannot work or stay in Canada with an expired passport, even if your work permit has a later expiry date.
Should I renew my passport before applying for a work permit?
Absolutely. Renewing your passport before applying is one of the smartest steps you can take to avoid shorter permits and repeat applications.
Final advice from Ask Kubeir
A valid passport is not just a travel document, it is a key factor in how long you are allowed to work in Canada. Checking and renewing your passport early can protect your job, your status, and your future plans in Canada.
