Extension of Canada Work Permit

Last Updated on October 15, 2015

The Extension of CanadaWork Permit

As mentioned earlier, the duration for the time requested by the Canadian entity would usually be for a period of less than one month (or 30 calendar days). This is the duration granted in most cases.

However, exceptional circumstances could take place as well. In these scenarios, the officers would need to assess the applications for extending the work permits on a case-by-case basis. This is especially applicable in situations where the work performed would create or maintain significant economic benefits or opportunities for Canadian citizens and permanent residents. In these cases, the Canadian entity or employer would need to submit all supporting rationale for explaining why the completion of the work did not take place within the original timeframe.

The Process for Applications Received Prior to May 21, 2015

The authorities would process applications received prior to May 21, 2015 (0001 hrs EST) according to the requirements in place at the time when they received the work permit applications. In some situations, the authorities could receive Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) along with the work permit applications. In these situations, the officers would assess the applications along with their respective Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs).

The Fees

Some employers would bring foreign nationals into Canada to work on a temporary basis through the International Mobility Program. These employers would need to complete and submit the Offer of Employment to a Foreign National Exempt from a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) form i.e. IMM 5802. In addition, they would need to pay the employer compliance fee of $230 before the worker will be able to apply for a work permit.

It is worth mentioning that the individual would need to pay the work permit processing fee separately, at the time the foreign national applies for a work permit – refer to Appendix H. For more information on this, refer to Appendix I.

The Process for Issuing the Work Permit in the Global Case Management System (GCMS)

When the officers code the work permit in the Global Case Management System (GCMS), they would need to apply the following.

The Coding for Emergency Personnel Repair

• The Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) Exemption Code
• This would be C13 R205 (a) – Canadian interests
• The Case Type
• This would be 20 Worker, NES (Not Elsewhere Specified)
• The National Occupation Code (NOC)
• This would be as specified in the IMM 5802 form
• The Specific Canadian Employer and Occupation
• The officers would need to indicate the specific Canadian employer or entity name (i.e. the workplace where the foreign national is destined to work) and the occupation on the work permit as per the provisions specified in the IMM 5802 form
• The Employment Location
• The officers would need to enter the city and province of destination as specified in the IMM 5802 form (as applicable). In some situations, the form might indicate more than one location. In this scenario, the officers would need to indicate the primary location in the Location field. Thereafter, they would need to enter the secondary location(s) in the Remarks section.
• The Special Program Code
• This would be ERP
• The Duration
• Typically, officers would need to issue the work permit for a short duration. However, this would depend on the nature of the work being sought.
• The Global Case Management System (GCMS) Remarks
• This would be ‘Entering Canada to perform emergency repair’

The Coding for Repair Personnel for Out of Warranty Equipment

• The Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) Exemption Code
• This would be C13 R205 (a) – Canadian interests
• The Case Type
• This would be 20 Worker, NES (Not Elsewhere Specified)
• The National Occupation Code (NOC)
• This would be as specified in the IMM 5802 form
• The Specific Canadian Employer and Occupation
• The officers would need to indicate the specific Canadian employer or entity name (i.e. the workplace where the foreign national is destined to work) and the occupation on the work permit as per the provisions specified in the IMM 5802 form
• The Employment Location
• The officers would need to enter the city and province of destination as specified in the IMM 5802 form (as applicable). In some situations, the form might indicate more than one location. In this scenario, the officers would need to indicate the primary location in the Location field. Thereafter, they would need to enter the secondary location(s) in the Remarks section.
• The Special Program Code
• This would be POW
• The Duration
• Typically, officers would need to issue the work permit for less than 30 calendar days
• The Global Case Management System (GCMS) Remarks
• This would be ‘Entering Canada to perform repair for out of warranty equipment’

The Coding for Applicants Destined to Quebec

It is worth highlighting that foreign nationals destined to work in Quebec under C-13, do not require a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) as they are Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exempt. 

Source: CIC