Work permit: Questions and problems

How do I apply for a work permit? 

You can apply for a work permit by completing your refugee claim through the IRCC portal.

Note: You can receive your work permit before your brown paper.

The work permit for refugee claimants can be delivered around 6-8 weeks after the submission of your portal application. IRCC will send you an online notification when the work permit is sent out, and it will then take anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks to receive it at home or to the address provided in the portal. 

IMPORTANT:

If you move before receiving the work permit, ensure you have the most updated address on file with Immigration, Refugees, and Canadian Citizenship (IRCC). You need to change your address with IRCC because your work permit will be send to the address on file.

How to change my address with Immigration, Refugees, and Canadian Citizenship (IRCC)

You can change your address online: https://secure.cic.gc.ca/enquiries-renseignements/canada-case-cas-eng.aspx 

What to do if I haven't receive my work permit?

If your work permit did not arrive you can:

• Fill out a contact form to IRCC IRCC Webform (cic.gc.ca) and you will receive an email with further instructions.
• You can call IRCC at 1-888-242-2100 (You must call at 8am)
• Yu can go to the immigration office at 200 Boulevard René-Lévesque O, Montreal, QC H2Z 1X4 to check if your work permit was sent there
• You can also apply to get a copy for a replacement of an immigration document ($30 fee).

Check the organizations that help with work permit issues

Note: Ensure you have changed your address to your current domicile before contacting IRCC or submitting an application. For information on how to update your address with IRCC see “Change of address” article.

Who do I contact for questions regarding my work permit?

For work permit questions, wait at least 6 weeks after the brown paper or the submission of your application through the IRCC portal. After this period you may contact IRCC by phone or through the online form

1. Call IRCC 1-888-242-2100 at 8am sharp in the morning, even if they hang up, you can call back
2. Web form to be filled out only after 6 weeks because IRCC is then obliged to act, first email response received will be automatic (message on delays), then 1-2 weeks a follow-up with an agent will come by email.

 Form: Check your application status - Immigration and citizenship - Canada.ca

My work permit is about to expire or has expired, what do I do?

As long as the application to renew your work permit is submitted before the expiry, you are authorized to continue working until you receive the new work permit or the decision on your work permit application. However, it is best to apply in advance since not all employers accept this authorization to work and delays can be lengthy, sometimes 3+ months.

To extend your work permit that is about to expire, the following steps should be followed ;

• Start your application on time. This should be at least three months before the current work permit expires
• If you choose to process your application online, you will need to create an online account  (IRCC secure account) where all your documents will be filed for easy access. 
• This account allows you to start the application, submit your documents and pay for the application. All information related to your application will be sent to you through this account - such as messages on the status and updates of your application.
• To create an IRCC secure account you have 2 options; 
• To register with the GCkey 
• To use a Sign-in Partner  ( this is when you create an IRCC account with your  existing banking information- refer to the link for more information on this)
• As soon as the online account is created from the IRCC secure page, you will need a scanner or camera to make copies of your documents and upload them to your page. And follow the instructions
• At the end of the application online, you may (if your claim is ineligible or your claim has been rejected) be required to pay a fee of $155, in addition to biometric (fingerprint) fees. 

Note: Online application is faster than the paper application. The estimated time for an online application is 112 days however, due to the pandemic, it could take longer. 

Note: If you allow your work permit to expire before you start the process, you may be in danger of losing your work status in Canada. In the event that this happens, to restore your status,  you need to start a restoration process within the next ninety days. The fees for this process are more than the usual renewal fees of $155; so in addition to the $155 processing fees, you will have to pay a restoration fee of $200 and then $155 to get the permit renewed. At this point, there are no guarantees that the application will be honoured and you will not be allowed to work until the status of your work permit is favourable.

More information on how to extend your permit or if what to do if your permit has already expired