Passport validity plays a crucial role in determining the validity period of work permits issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

When a worker’s passport is set to expire before their planned stay ends, the work permit will have a shorter validity period.

Foreign nationals intending to work in Canada must ensure that their foreign passport remains valid for the entire duration of their stay.

Length of Work Permit Issuance

The Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations stipulate that temporary residents must have a valid passport for the entire duration of their stay in Canada.

Temporary foreign workers’ ability to work in Canada is influenced by factors such as the job offer, the recommended work authorization period on the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), and passport validity.

• The job offer from the Canadian employer
• The recommended work authorization period on the LMIA
• Passport validity

Many workers overlook the importance of passport validity, which can result in their work authorization being cut short.

For work permits based on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), IRCC officers align the permit’s duration with the LMIA if the applicant’s passport remains valid for the entire period.

Similarly, individuals applying for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) must consider the expiry date of their passport, in addition to their study program, when determining the permit’s length.

The maximum validity period for a PGWP is three years for eligible student graduates.