Canada Extends Work Permit Letter Validity for Foreign Workers

Foreign workers in Canada who have applied for a new work permit will now receive work authorization support letters, known as WP-EXT letters, valid for 365 days. This extension of the letter’s validity, which was previously only 180 days, was announced on April 27, 2026, through updated instructions published on the immigration department's website.

The WP-EXT letters serve as proof that a foreign worker is working legally under "maintained status." Maintained status is granted to workers who have submitted an application for a new work permit within Canada before their current work authorization expires. This allows them to continue working under the conditions of their existing permit while awaiting a decision on the new application.

What is Maintained Status?

Maintained status lets foreign workers keep their job in Canada even if their work permit has expired, as long as they applied for a new one before the old permit ended. However, WP-EXT letters themselves don’t provide work authorization, as they merely confirm that workers can continue working under the existing work permit conditions until their new application is processed.

These letters are primarily given to workers to show their maintained status to employers, government agencies, or anyone who needs proof that they are allowed to continue working without a valid work permit.

The new validity period of 365 days for WP-EXT letters comes as a relief to many foreign workers who previously had letters valid for only 180 days. This new update will make it easier for workers to prove their legal work status without worrying about renewing their letters every few months.

Exemptions for Post-Graduation Work Permit Applicants

The change announced on April 27 only applies to WP-EXT letters for foreign workers in general. Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) applicants will still receive WP-EXT letters with a validity period of 180 days, unchanged by the new guidelines. This distinction is crucial as it separates PGWP applicants from other work permit applicants under maintained status.

Clarification on May 2025 Updates

Along with the announcement, the immigration department also clarified changes made in May 2025. The new guidelines include expanded scenarios to assess when a second work permit application may continue to benefit a worker on maintained status.

If workers submit a second work permit application before their original permit expires, they can continue to maintain their status. However, if the second application is submitted after the original permit expires, it doesn’t provide any additional protection.

Three specific cases were provided to help workers understand how their status is impacted in different situations. In some cases, the first application will still allow workers to stay in Canada, but in others, maintained status may end.