When planning to work in Canada, most international applicants focus on meeting eligibility criteria such as having a valid job offer, an approved LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment), or qualifying education credentials. However, there’s one often-overlooked factor that can unexpectedly shorten your work authorization period: your passport’s validity.
Understanding how this works — and how to avoid negative consequences — is crucial for anyone pursuing temporary work in Canada.
When Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issues a work permit, it must align with the legal requirement that temporary residents hold a valid travel document for the entire duration of their stay in Canada.
This means that if your passport expires before the end of your intended work period, the Canadian work permit you receive will be valid only until your passport’s expiry date — even if your job offer or LMIA supports a longer stay.
So, even if you expect to work in Canada for one, two, or three years, an expiring passport can cut that period short.
This requirement applies across all major work permit categories, including:
If the underlying factor (such as a job offer or study period) extends beyond your passport expiry, IRCC will still limit the permit duration based on your passport’s end date.
Suppose you receive a positive LMIA from a Canadian employer that supports one full year of employment. However, if your passport expires in eight months, IRCC will issue your work permit only for eight months — matching your passport’s validity rather than your full job duration.
The same rule applies to post-graduation work permits: even if you qualify for the maximum allowable period (up to three years, depending on your study program), your actual work permit will end on your passport’s expiry date if that comes sooner.
Before submitting your work permit application, confirm that your passport is valid for the entire period you plan to stay and work in Canada. If it isn’t, renew it in your home country before applying. This simple step can prevent a shortened work permit and save you time, stress, and expense later.
If you find yourself already in Canada with a passport that’s about to expire and a permit that reflects that shorter validity, don’t panic. You can usually renew your passport while residing in Canada. Many foreign nationals take care of passport renewals through their home country’s embassy or consulate without leaving the country.
Once you have a renewed passport, you can apply for a work permit extension from within Canada to align your work authorization with the remaining length of your employment contract. Always allow ample time for passport processing and IRCC decision timelines.
Important Note:
For LMIA-based work permits, the LMIA itself is valid for a limited period (typically six months). This means if your LMIA expires, your employer may need to obtain a new one before you can extend your work permit — even if you renew your passport.
For LMIA-exempt permits, a new employment offer and employer compliance fee may be needed before an extension can be granted.
Passport validity might seem like a minor detail compared to job offers, LMIA approvals, or eligibility criteria, but as you now know, it has a direct, legal impact on how long you can stay and work in Canada.
To avoid having your stay cut short:
By staying ahead of these requirements, you protect your legal status and make the most of your Canadian work opportunity.
No. A Canadian work permit cannot be issued beyond the expiration date of your passport, even if you qualify for a longer stay.
No. Renewing your passport does not automatically extend your work permit. You must submit a separate work permit extension application.
Yes, most foreign nationals can renew their passports through their country’s embassy or consulate while remaining in Canada.
If your work permit expires and no extension is submitted on time, you may lose your legal status and have to stop working immediately.
It’s best to ensure your passport is valid for at least the full expected duration of your work permit, plus additional buffer time if possible.
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