I want to extend my expiring work permit, but I don’t have a new LMIA or CAQ yet. What should I do?

COVID-19: workers changing jobs or employers

You don’t need to wait until your new employer-specific work permit arrives to start a new job or work for a new employer. Follow these steps to start working after you apply for a work permit.

You can apply without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) if your work permit expires within 2 weeks of the date that you apply.

You must include both

proof of a valid job offer
proof that the LMIA or CAQ request was made, by either
- including a copy of the application sent to Service Canada or the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration
- including a copy of the receipt confirmation number, if the request was made online
- indicating, in the section Details of Intended Work in Canada of the work permit application,
  - the date the LMIA/CAQ request was sent,
  - the office it was sent to,
  - the employer’s name, and
  - the confirmation number for the submission, if available.

If you’re waiting for your CAQ

When you apply online, you’ll be asked to upload a copy of your CAQ. If you have a copy of the receipt confirmation number or a copy of the application, you can upload those documents instead.

When you get your LMIA or CAQ

You must send us proof that you’ve received the LMIA or CAQ within 60 days of the date your application was received. If not, your application could be refused.