Who Can Apply for a Work Permit from Inside Canada?

If you’re already in Canada and wondering whether you can apply for a work permit without leaving the country—good news! In certain situations, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) does allow people to apply for a work permit from within Canada. But this is only possible if you meet one of nine specific conditions.

If you don’t fall into one of these categories, then you’ll need to apply for a work permit either from outside Canada online or, in rare cases, at the border.

Let’s walk through the nine situations that allow you to apply for a work permit while staying in Canada.

You have a valid study or work permit

If you’re in Canada and currently have a valid study or work permit, you can apply for a new work permit without leaving the country. The important thing is to apply before your current permit expires.

For example, if you’re working in Canada and your job ends, but you find another one, you can apply for a new permit—as long as you do it before your current status ends. IRCC recommends applying at least 30 days before your permit expires.

Your spouse, common-law partner, or parent has a valid study or work permit

If your spouse, partner, or parent is studying or working in Canada and their permit is still valid, then you may qualify for a work permit too. This rule is often used by family members who come to Canada together.

For example, if your spouse is finishing a degree at a Canadian university and still has time left on their study permit, you can apply for your own work permit during that period.

You qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

If you’ve recently finished your studies at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada, and your study permit is still valid, you may be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This type of permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada.

However, just graduating from a Canadian school does not automatically make you eligible. You must meet all the rules about the type of program you completed, your status in Canada, and how long you studied.

You or your family member has a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) valid for 6 months or more

A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) allows someone who’s usually not allowed into Canada to stay temporarily for important reasons—like visiting a sick relative or attending a major family event.

If you, your spouse, or your parent has a TRP that’s valid for at least six months, you may be allowed to apply for a work permit from inside Canada.

You’ve applied for permanent residence and are waiting for a decision

You may be allowed to work in Canada while waiting for your permanent residence application to be processed, but only in some cases. For example:

• If you’re being sponsored by your spouse through inland spousal sponsorship, and
• You’ve received an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) from IRCC, and
• You live with your sponsor in Canada.

In these cases, you can apply for an open work permit while waiting for the final decision.

You are allowed to work without a work permit but now need one for another job

Some people can do certain jobs in Canada without needing a work permit. But if they want to take on a new job that requires a permit, they can apply from inside Canada.

These individuals include:

• Performing artists
• On-campus student workers
• Professional athletes and their coaches
• Religious leaders
• Guest speakers and seminar leaders
• Health care students in short-term training
• Emergency service providers
• And others (see the full list below)

If you’re already in Canada and doing one of these jobs legally without a permit—but now want to switch to a different job that requires one—you can apply from within Canada.

You are in Canada under CUSMA as a professional, transferee, trader, or investor

If you’re a U.S. or Mexican citizen working in Canada under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) in one of the following roles, you may apply for a new permit from within Canada:

You’ve made a refugee claim in Canada

If you’ve applied for refugee protection (asylum) while in Canada and are waiting for a decision, you may qualify for a work permit.

To be eligible, you must show that you fear returning to your home country because of serious threats to your safety—like torture, violence, or persecution based on race, religion, or political beliefs.

You are a Convention Refugee or Protected Person

If the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) has ruled that you are a Convention Refugee or Protected Person, you can apply for a work permit from within Canada.

You may also be eligible if IRCC gave you a positive decision on a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA), which confirms that it would be unsafe for you to return to your home country.

Maintained Status: What if your current permit is about to expire?

If you apply for a new permit before your current one expires, you may be granted what’s called maintained status.

This means you can stay in Canada under the same conditions of your current permit while your new application is being processed.

• Workers can keep working
• Students can keep studying
• Visitors can remain in Canada
• But if you leave Canada, you lose maintained status automatically

How to Apply for a Work Permit from Inside Canada

Applying is mostly done online through your IRCC secure account. Here’s what you need to do:

• Read the full instruction guide on the IRCC website
• Make sure you qualify under one of the nine situations listed above
• Meet the general eligibility requirements, such as:
  • Prove you will leave Canada when your job ends
  • Show you have enough money to support yourself
  • Be in good health and have no criminal background
• Complete all required forms and submit the proper documents
• Pay the required fees:
  • $155 work permit fee
  • $100 open work permit fee (if applicable)
  • $85 for biometrics (if required)

Once submitted, you’ll wait for IRCC to review your application. Current processing time is around 233 days.

Important: Your work permit cannot be issued past your passport’s expiration date. Make sure your passport is valid before you apply.

Can I apply for a work permit if my study permit just expired?
No. You must apply while your permit is still valid. If it’s expired, you likely need to apply from outside Canada.

Can I stay in Canada while waiting for a new work permit?
Yes, if you applied before your current permit expired. You’ll have maintained status, which allows you to stay under the same conditions.

How long does it take to get a work permit from inside Canada?
Currently, it takes around 233 days, but it can vary depending on your case and application type.

Can I work while waiting for my PGWP?
Yes, if you meet the rules: your study permit was valid when you applied, you were a full-time student, and you haven’t worked more than 20 hours/week off-campus during your studies.

I’m in Canada as a visitor. Can I apply for a work permit?
Only in special cases, like if you qualify under a public policy or apply for a TRP. Most visitors must apply from outside Canada.

Would you like a consultation to explore your Canadian work options? Contact Ask Kubeir today!

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Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only and not legal advice. Always consult experts like us or the official IRCC website for up-to-date details.