Canada Work Permit Document Number: Where to Find It

The Canada work permit document number is the unique identifier printed on your work permit, which Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issues when your application is approved. It is not a number you generate or choose; it is assigned by IRCC and appears on the physical or electronic permit you receive. If you are applying for a work permit extension under the special measures for Iranian nationals, the document number on your current permit is what you will reference in your application. If you have not yet received a permit, you do not have a document number yet — you will only have one after IRCC issues your permit. The number is separate from your application number, your unique client identifier (UCI), and your passport number, so check the permit itself rather than your correspondence to find it.

Where the Document Number Appears on Your Permit

The work permit document number is printed on the permit document that IRCC issues. On a physical permit, it is typically located in the upper right section of the document, near your photo and personal information. On an electronic permit, it appears in the same area of the digital file. The number is usually a combination of letters and digits, and it is unique to your permit. If you are looking at a work permit that was issued under the special measures for Iranian nationals, the same rule applies: the document number is on the permit itself. If you cannot find it, check the document carefully — it is not the same as the application number you received when you submitted your online application, nor is it the number on your visitor record or study permit if you hold one of those instead.

The Document Number vs. Other IRCC Numbers

It is easy to confuse the work permit document number with other identifiers IRCC uses. The table below sets out the main numbers you may encounter and what each one refers to. Only the document number is printed on the work permit itself.

Identifier	What it is	Where you find it
Work permit document number	Unique identifier for your issued work permit	Printed on the work permit document
Application number	Identifier for your application to IRCC	On the confirmation letter or in your IRCC secure account
Unique client identifier (UCI)	Personal identifier IRCC assigns to you	On your permit, visa, or correspondence
Passport number	Identifier on your passport or travel document	On the passport bio page

If you are applying to extend your work permit, you will need your current permit’s document number to complete the application. You will also need your passport number, which you must upload as part of the supporting documents. The application form asks for the document number of your current permit, so keep your permit handy when you fill it out.

What to Do If You Cannot Find Your Document Number

If you have a work permit but cannot locate the document number, the first step is to check the permit again carefully. The number is printed on the document itself, not on a separate letter. If you have an electronic permit, open the file and look at the top section. If you have lost your permit, you cannot simply generate a new document number — you would need to contact IRCC through the channels they provide. The Government of Canada’s contact page lists Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada as the department responsible for eTAs, visas, permits, permanent residence, and immigration matters. You can use the IRCC web form to ask questions or update your contact information; the special measures page for Iranian nationals instructs applicants to include “Iran2023” in the text box when using the web form for those applications.

Applying for a Work Permit Extension: What You Need

If you are applying to extend a work permit — including under the temporary measures for Iranian nationals — you will need several documents. The application requires you to include the application to extend your worker status, a copy of your passport or travel document, and proof of your current status. The passport copy must be uploaded in the “Supporting Documents” section under “Passport.” You will also need to pay the applicable fees. The work permit processing fee is $155 for all applicants. If you are applying for an open work permit, there is an additional $100 fee. Biometrics fees apply separately: $85 for an individual, or up to $170 for a family if you are eligible. The document number of your current permit is part of the information you provide when you sign in to your IRCC secure account and complete the application.

Special Measures for Iranian Nationals: Document Requirements

As of March 1, 2026, special measures for Iranian nationals in Canada have changed. Temporary measures have been extended until March 31, 2027, for Iranian work permit holders in Canada only. No other temporary measures are in place for Iranian applicants. To extend your status under these measures, you must meet all of the following conditions: you are an Iranian national with a valid passport; you are in Canada with a valid work permit when you apply for the extension and when a decision is made on your application; your valid work permit was issued no later than February 28, 2025; you have not already been issued a work permit under the March 1, 2026 special measures; and you meet the general eligibility and admissibility requirements for a work permit. If you were already issued a work permit extension under the special measures, you cannot get a second one. When you apply, you will need to provide your passport details and your current permit information, including the document number.

General Eligibility and Admissibility Requirements for a Work Permit

Regardless of which program you apply under, you must meet certain requirements to be eligible for a work permit. You must obey the law and have no record of criminal activity; IRCC may ask you to provide a police clearance certificate. You must not be a danger to Canada’s security. You must be in good health and get a medical exam if required. You must not plan to work for an employer listed as “ineligible” on the list of employers who failed to comply with conditions, and you must not plan to work for an employer that offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services, or erotic massages on a regular basis. You must also prove that you have enough money to pay for living expenses for you and the family members who came with you to Canada, and for transportation to return home for you and your family members. Finally, you must prove to an officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay. These requirements apply whether you are applying for a new work permit or an extension.

Passport Expiry and Its Effect on Your Permit

IRCC cannot issue a work permit past the expiry date listed on your passport. If your passport will expire within two years, you should renew it before you apply. This matters for the document number because the permit you receive will be valid only up to your passport’s expiry date. If you renew your passport after receiving a permit, the document number on your permit does not change, but you may need to update your information with IRCC. When you apply for an extension, you will need to upload a copy of your passport or travel document, and the document number on your current permit will be part of the application. If your passport is expiring soon, renew it first so that the extension you receive can be valid for the full period you are eligible for.

What to Do Next and What to Verify

If you are applying to extend your work permit, sign in to your IRCC secure account or create one to start your application. 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.” Gather your documents, including your passport and your current work permit, and upload them in the correct sections. Pay the fees at the end of the application using a valid credit or debit card. Submit a complete application; it may be refused if you are missing documents or other required information. If you apply to extend your status and it expires before your application is processed, you are considered to have maintained your status, which is a legal extension of status that allows a temporary resident to stay in Canada while IRCC processes the application. You must continue to meet the conditions described in your expiring document. Before you submit, verify the document number on your current permit matches what you enter in the application. Also confirm your passport expiry date and check the official IRCC pages for the most current requirements, as the special measures for Iranian nationals are temporary and may change. The official pages to check are the IRCC page on the situation in Iran and the study in Canada page if you are a student. For general contact information, refer to the Government of Canada contact page.