You have expired or are about to expire your Canadian work permit and you may be asking yourself: How long do I have to stay in Canada after my work permit expires? This is a very important question since the consequences of overstaying may be severe and have the potential to influence the future approvals of immigration.
There are special regulations for expired work permits in Canada, and one should not be in violation of punishment. How long can I stay in Canada after my work Permit expires? In this article, we will elaborate on what occurs when your permit expires, the length of time you have to remain in Canada, as well as the available options that you have to continue remaining in Canada. This guide will ensure that you make quality decisions and that you do not make mistakes that may put your immigration record at risk.
What Does It Mean When Your Work Permit Expires?
A Canadian work permit provides you with a temporary legal permission to work and live in Canada. It also has an expiry date and once your right to work legally expires, it dies automatically. This does not, however, imply that you have to leave Canada the same day. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has certain measures in place for individuals wishing to prolong their residency or reclaim their status.
They are to apply an extension before expiry, an implied status to apply, or a restoration of status to apply after the expiry. Understanding these terms and conditions can help you avoid staying in the country illegally and receiving removal orders and failing to obtain further visa applications.
What Happens When Your Work Permit Expires Without Renewal?
There is a loss of your temporary resident status when the work permit lapses and you have not applied to have it extended. This implies that you cannot legally work and study in Canada anymore. Also, working illegally is against Canadian immigration law and may lead to the inability to request work permits in the future.
Nevertheless, still, solutions still exist. When your work permit has fallen out of date, though you have not yet exceeded 90 days, then you can request that your status be restored. During this time, you are not allowed to work or study until your new permit is given. Failure to make a restoration application within 90 days means that you have to leave Canada and seek a new permit in your home country.
Implied Status: Staying in Canada After Expiry
The implied status is one of the most effective means of staying in Canada with an expired work permit. Status Implied status is the status that you apply to extend your work permit, before your existing permit runs out. This implies that you can stay in Canada and even work with the same conditions as Immigration Canada waits to process your application.
It should also be noted that implied status applies only in case you send a complete extension application on or before the date of your permit expiration. In case your application is subsequently denied, you will automatically lose your implied status and will have to depart Canada. Consequently, it is imperative to apply early and incompleteness to stay in a continuous legal status.
Restoration of Status After Expiry
When your work permit has lost its validity and you have failed to seek an extension in time, you still can be eligible to remain in Canada under restoration of status. This can be done up to 90 days after the expiration of your permit. But conditions are very strict. When you can work or study is not yet known, but when your application to be restored is approved.
You are required to present the right application forms and pay extra money for restoration. With this, you will get back to legal status and a new work permit, provided you are approved. Should you be denied, or should you not do so, in 90 days you must leave Canada at once in order to prevent additional complications. Staying longer than this may result in deportation and future application to immigrate.
How Long Can You Stay in Canada After Your Work Permit Expires?
Your duration of staying in Canada after your work permit expires is of your choice. They may be on implied status until a decision is reached in case you seek an extension by the expiry date. At the end of your permit, you have a maximum of 90 days to spend in Canada before you are restored to status although you cannot work within that time frame.
After 90 days, you are no longer legally allowed to be in Canada anymore and anything you do after that time can result in severity such as depriving you of entry into Canada in the future. Always take note of the date your permit is due to expire and never leave it to later to ensure you avoid unnecessary risks and inconveniences in your immigration position.
Tips to Avoid Issues with Work Permit Expiry
It is important to plan to prevent the inconveniences accompanying the expired work permits and follow the immigration rules. Here are some useful tips:
- Seek an extension of time: You have to seek at least 30 days before the final date.
- Check application status: Monitor the status of the application on the IRCC online portal.
- Make sure that your passport is in order: Your work permit will not be extended further in case your passport expires.
- Keep proof of application: Save receipts and confirmation emails as evidence of timely submission.
- Status implied: you can work and remain legally until the decision is made, as long as you make an application before the time runs out.
- You must know your deadlines: Within 90 days, the status restoration must be requested in case of your permit expiry.
FAQ,s
Can I stay in Canada after my work permit expires?
Yes, if you apply for restoration of status within 90 days, you can stay until a decision is made.
Can I work in Canada after my work permit expires?
No, you cannot work unless you have an implied status by applying for an extension before expiry.
What happens if I don’t apply for restoration within 90 days?
You must leave Canada immediately and apply for a new work permit from outside the country.
Conclusion
It is highly important to control your status in Canada after your work permit has expired to prevent any legal complications and difficulties concerning your immigration in the future. Always remember the date of expiry of your permit and ensure you do this early enough to get an extension in order to preserve implied status. Once your permit has expired, you need to seek restoration within 90 days to be legal; however, you are unable to work at all during this period.
The implications of overstaying the stipulated duration may be catastrophic, e.g. deportation and the inability to visit the country in the future. To remain safe and without stress, prepare in advance, according to the guidelines given by the IRCC, and to have your applications sent within the timeframes, and imagine a stress-free and well-organized processing.
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