Canada work permit extension 2026: rules, eligibility, fees

To extend a Canadian work permit in 2026, you must apply from within Canada before your current permit expires, meet the general work permit eligibility and admissibility requirements, and — unless you fall under a special measure — follow the standard extension process. The application fee is $155 for the work permit itself, plus $100 if you need an open work permit and $85 for biometrics if you are required to give them. There is no single “2026 rule” that applies to everyone; the rules depend on your status, your permit type, and whether you are covered by a temporary public policy such as the Iran measures that run until March 31, 2027.

The most important thing to understand is that the extension is not automatic. You must submit a complete application in your IRCC secure account, and you must continue to meet the conditions of your current status while the application is being processed. If your permit expires before a decision is made, you are considered to have maintained status, which lets you stay legally in Canada — but only if you applied before expiry and you keep meeting the conditions on your expiring document.

Who can apply for a work permit extension

You can apply for a work permit extension if you are already in Canada as a temporary resident with a valid work permit, and you meet the general eligibility and admissibility requirements. The core requirements are:

• You obey the law and have no record of criminal activity. IRCC may ask for a police clearance certificate.
• You are not a danger to Canada’s security.
• You are in good health and get a medical exam if one is required.
• You do not plan to work for an employer listed as “ineligible” on the list of employers who failed to comply with conditions.
• You do not plan to work for an employer that offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages on a regular basis.
• You can prove you have enough money to pay for living expenses for yourself and any family members who came with you, and for transportation to return home for you and your family.
• You can prove to an officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorised stay.

The extension, if approved, can be valid for up to two years. However, IRCC cannot issue a work permit past the expiry date on your passport. If your passport will expire within two years, you should renew it before you apply.

The Iran special measures: what changed in 2026

As of March 1, 2026, the special measures for Iranian nationals in Canada changed. The temporary measures have been extended until March 31, 2027, but they now apply only to Iranian work permit holders already in Canada. No other temporary measures are in place for Iranian applicants.

To extend your stay as a worker under these measures, you must meet all of the following conditions:

Condition	Detail
Nationality	You are an Iranian national with a valid passport.
Location and status	You are in Canada with a valid work permit when you apply, and a decision is made on your application.
Permit issue date	Your valid work permit was issued no later than February 28, 2025.
No prior extension	You have not already been issued a work permit under the March 1, 2026 special measures to extend work permits. If you were already issued an extension, you cannot get a second one.
General eligibility	You meet the general eligibility and admissibility requirements for a work permit.

If you meet all these requirements, you can apply for a work permit extension that could be valid for up to two years. The deadline to submit your application is on or before March 31, 2027.

Iranian visitors and study permit holders

The special measures do not cover Iranian nationals in Canada who hold a visitor record or study permit. They can no longer apply for a different type of permit under special measures. Instead, they can apply to extend their current temporary resident status in Canada through the regular process — for example, extending a visitor record or extending a study permit.

How to apply for a work permit extension

The application is submitted online through your IRCC secure account. If you cannot apply online because of a disability that prevents you from applying online, or because of a problem with the online application system, you can contact the Client Support Centre and choose the option “get urgent help in a crisis, emergency, or vulnerable situation.”

The steps are:

1. Sign in to or create an IRCC secure account.
2. Gather and upload your forms and documents. All applicants need to include the Application to extend your worker status and a copy of your passport or travel document, uploaded in the “Supporting Documents” section under “Passport.”
3. Pay the application fees at the end of the application, using a valid credit or debit card.
4. Submit a complete application. Your application may be refused if you are missing documents or other required information.

If you need help, have questions, or need to update your contact information, you can send a web form. Complete all required fields and include “Iran2023” in the text box.

Fees for a work permit extension in 2026

The fees are set by IRCC and are payable at the end of the online application. The table below shows the fees as published on the official page.

Type of fee	Amount	Who needs to pay
Work permit processing	$155	All applicants
Open work permit fee	$100	Open work permit applicants only
Biometrics fee	Individual: $85; Family: up to $170 (if eligible)	Applicants who need to give biometrics

You should check whether you need to give biometrics before you pay. The fees are not refundable simply because an application is refused, and the official page does not state a refund policy.

Maintained status: what happens if your permit expires while you wait

If you apply to extend your status and it expires before your application is processed, you are considered to have maintained your status. Maintained status is a legal extension of status that allows a temporary resident to stay in Canada while IRCC processes the application. This means you can legally stay in Canada while you wait for a decision.

However, you must continue to meet the conditions described in your expiring document. Maintained status is not a new permit; it does not change your conditions, and it does not guarantee that the extension will be approved.

What to do next and what to verify

Before you apply, confirm the expiry date on your passport, because IRCC cannot issue a work permit past that date. If your passport will expire within two years, renew it first.

Then check the official IRCC page for work permit extensions to confirm the current application forms, the fee schedule, and whether any new public policies apply to your situation. The Iran special measures page is the authoritative source for that specific policy, and it was last updated on August 28, 2026 — so verify that you are reading the current version before you rely on it.

If you are an Iranian national, confirm that your work permit was issued no later than February 28, 2025, and that you have not already received an extension under the March 1, 2026 measures. If you have, you cannot get a second one.

Finally, submit a complete application. Missing documents or information can lead to refusal, and there is no indication in the official guidance that incomplete applications are given a grace period.