Canada’s immigration department has extended the deadline for in-Canada work permit applicants to provide proof of their employer’s inability to hire a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. The extension grants an additional 30 days, bringing the total duration to 90 days, offering relief to foreign workers applying through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

The federal government announced this extension on August 21, 2026, by updating the guidelines for concurrent processing of in-Canada work permit applications. This change allows foreign nationals in Canada to apply for a TFWP work permit earlier, even while their employer’s Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application is pending.

Concurrent processing enables applicants to submit their TFWP work permit application before obtaining a positive or neutral LMIA result. Within 90 days, applicants must provide evidence of the employer’s LMIA status to proceed with their work permit application.

Without concurrent processing, applicants would need a completed LMIA before applying for a TFWP work permit, which could lead to delays and potential work permit expiry issues. This change aims to prevent foreign nationals from facing uncertainty and potential work authorization loss while waiting for LMIA processing.