tugrularas/irccfaq huggingface dataset:
Question: My work permit expired, but I’ve maintained my status. Can I keep working under the same conditions of my initial work permit if my Social Insurance Number (SIN) is expired?
Answer: Yes. If you applied to extend your work permit before your initial work permit expired, you can keep working, even if your SIN is expired. This is allowed under the Employment Insurance Act and Regulations. 
Renewing your SIN
When you get your new work permit, you can renew your SIN.
You can give your employer proof that you’ve applied to renew your SIN. Once you get a new expiry date for your SIN, you must give it to your employer within 3 days.
Question: Can I change my status to visitor if I need more time to extend my study or work permit?
Answer: You can apply to change your status to visitor, but once your current study or work permit expires, you won’t be able to apply for a new study or work permit from within Canada. This means it won’t give you more time to extend your study or work permit.
Most visitors aren’t eligible to apply for a study or work permit from within Canada. If you change your status to visitor, you may have to leave Canada to apply for a new study or work permit.
Because of this, we strongly recommend you don’t change your status to visitor if you need more time to apply for your permit.
Make sure you know when your current permit expires and apply at least 30 days before it does.

How to apply to extend your study permit or your work permit
What to do if your current study permit has already expired
Question: Why is my study or work permit only valid for part of my study program or job contract?
Answer: We’ll issue your study or work permit for a shorter validity period for one of these reasons: 

Your passport or travel document will expire before the end of your planned stay.
You’re participating in International Experience Canada (IEC), and your health insurance coverage isn’t valid for long enough.

Your passport or travel document will expire
If you’re coming to Canada to study or work, you can’t stay past the expiry date of your passport or other travel document. We’ll only give you a permit that’s valid as long as your passport or travel document.
If you get a new passport or travel document while in Canada
You can apply to extend your study or work permit to get one for the time left on your study program or job contract.
You’re participating in IEC, and your health insurance coverage isn’t valid for long enough
If your health insurance coverage only covers part of your stay in Canada, we’ll issue you a permit that matches the length of your coverage.
Make sure your insurance is valid for your entire stay in Canada before you leave your home country.
If it isn’t, you won’t be allowed to extend your work permit, even if you extend your health insurance coverage.
Question: I’m sponsoring my spouse or common-law partner. Can they work while their application is being processed?
Answer: Yes, but only if they have a work  permit.
Your sponsored spouse  or partner can apply for an open work permit if

they’re  living with you, in Canada, and
we’ve  confirmed their application for permanent residence is  complete

While your spouse or partner’s permanent residence application is being processed, they must

maintain legal status as a temporary resident in Canada, and
wait for their work permit application to be approved before starting to work
		
If they already have a work permit that is expiring, they can keep working as long as they maintain their status as a worker.



How to apply for this open work permit
Question: I have an open work permit because my spouse is working/studying in Canada. For how long is my permit valid?
Answer: Normally, your work permit is valid for the same amount of time that your spouse or common-law partner’s work permit or study permit is valid. Your work permit will stay valid for that entire period even if

your spouse or common-law partner’s situation changes, for example
		
they lose their job
they complete their studies early


you divorce or separate

If these situations apply to you, you won’t be able to extend this work permit when it expires, but you may be eligible for another type of work permit.
See also: What do I need to work in Canada?
Question: What is a job offer letter?
Answer: A job offer letter is a document that a Canadian employer gives you (as a temporary worker). It explains the details of your job.
Generally, a job offer letter (or “employment letter”) is less detailed than a contract.
The letter includes information about:

your pay and deductions from your pay
your job duties
conditions of employment, such as hours of work

If you need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), include a copy of your job offer letter with your work permit application.
An “offer of employment” is not the same as a “job offer letter”. If your employer doesn’t need an LMIA to hire you for the job, they need to submit the offer of employment in the Employer Portal. Once submitted, the portal generates an offer of employment number that you need when you apply for your work permit.
Employer compliance exemptions
Some LMIA-exempt employers don’t need to submit an offer of employment and won’t have an offer of employment number for you. Find out how to get a work permit for these jobs.
Question: There is a mistake in my name on my work permit, can you fix it?
Answer: Yes. Your name on your work permit should be exactly as it is on your passport.
If we made a mistake and the name on your permit does not match the name on your passport, submit a Request to Amend the Record of Landing, Confirmation of Permanent Residence or Valid Temporary Resident Documents. 
Read the instruction guide to find out how to fill out the form and where to submit
Question: Which work permit fees do I have to pay?
Answer: In most cases, both workers and employers must pay fees before a work permit can be issued.
Check the fee list for the most up-to-date application fees.
Workers
If you are applying for an employer-specific work permit, you must pay the work permit processing fee.
If you are applying for an open work permit, you usually have to pay the open work permit holder fee and the work permit processing fee at the same time.
Employers
If you need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), you usually need to pay a processing fee to Employment and Social Development Canada. In this case, don’t need to pay the employer compliance fee.
If you don’t need an LMIA, you have to pay the employer compliance fee when you submit the offer of employment using the Employer Portal.

Some employers don’t need to pay the employer compliance fee. Find out if you are exempt.
Question: What is a port of entry (POE) letter?
Answer: It’s a letter you may receive from IRCC if you’ve been approved for a

study permit
work permit or
super visa (if you’re from a country that doesn’t require a visitor visa)

Officially, it’s called the port of entry (POE) letter of introduction. But this letter is sometimes called the

correspondence letter
introduction letter
introductory letter

The letter of introduction is not your study or work permit.
You’ll get this letter if you were approved and you

applied online or
gave us your email address in your study or work permit application

When you arrive in Canada
Tell the officer at the port of entry about your approved application.
If you don’t have a printed copy of your letter of introduction, you can show

an electronic version or
the visitor visa in your passport, if you have one
Question: How long is my POE Letter valid?
Answer: There is a box titled “Permit validity” on your Port of Entry (POE) Letter. You must come to Canada prior to that date.
If the validity date has passed and you have not yet come to Canada, you must submit a new application.
You cannot extend the validity date on your POE Letter.
Your POE Letter will be valid for the requested length of your work permit, study permit or super visa. You may be eligible to extend your work permit once you are in Canada.
International Experience Canada participants only
Your POE Letter will normally be valid for 12 months. If you underwent a medical exam, it will be valid until the expiry date of your medical exam or for 12 months, whichever is less.
You can only extend your International Experience Canada work permit in very specific situations. Find out if you can extend your work permit.
Question: I paid the $100 open work permit holder fee with my open work permit application, but the application was refused. Can I get a refund?
Answer: Yes. We will send you a refund of the open work permit holder fee. You do not have to do anything.
However, you are not eligible for a refund of the work permit processing fee.
Question: What proof do I need to show that my employer paid the compliance fee and submitted the offer of employment?
Answer: When you submit your work permit application, include the offer of employment number we gave your employer.
An offer of employment number can only be used for 1 work  permit application.
Employer compliance exemptions
Some LMIA-exempt employers don’t need to submit an offer of employment. Find out how to get a work permit for these jobs.
Question: How do I change employers?
Answer: To change employers, you must apply to change the conditions of your work permit.
Before you apply, you need some information and documents from your new employer. What you need will depend on if the employer needs a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to hire you.
If your employer needs an LMIA
Your employer must give you:

a new job offer letter
a new LMIA number, and 
a new contract signed by you and your future employer

If you work in Quebec, you will also need a new Québec Acceptance Certificate.
If your employer doesn’t need an LMIA
Your employer must give you the offer of employment number they received when they submitted your offer of employment.
Employer compliance exemptions
Some LMIA-exempt employers don’t need to submit an offer of employment. Find out how to get a work permit for these jobs.

Live-in caregivers and International Experience Canada participants have different instructions for changing employers.
Question: Can I have a work permit and study permit at the same time?
Answer: Yes. You can apply for an additional permit. However, you must

be eligible for both permits
show the officer that you can study and work at the same time 

When you apply, include a letter to explain how you’ll do this. Give details about how you’ll balance your work schedule with your studies. If you apply online, upload this letter in the Client information part of your document checklist.
Workers who can study without a study permit
You may be eligible to study without a study permit if you are in either of the following situations:

You have a valid work permit that was issued on or before June 7, 2023.
You must have been issued a letter on or before June 7, 2023, authorizing you to work while we process your work permit application.
		
You can use this letter if you’re waiting for a decision on your work permit extension.



Find out if you’re eligible.
Eligibility for other programs
There are some things to know about holding 2 permits:

The work experience you gain while you hold a study permit doesn’t count toward the work experience requirements for most permanent residence programs.
    
Check the requirements for your program before you apply for permanent residence.


If you plan to apply for a post-graduation work permit when you complete your studies, you’ll need to meet the eligibility criteria.
    
For example, you must maintain full-time status during all semesters of your study program, even while working.



See who can apply for a work permit and who can apply for a study permit.
Question: Who is eligible for two-week work permit processing?
Answer: Processing delays for GSS applications 
Processing times for GSS applications continue to be affected by

the number of applications we’ve already received
an increase in applications as health and travel restrictions lift in Canada and around the world

It will probably take more than 2 weeks to process your GSS application. We’re continuing to recover so we can return to 2-week processing.

The Global Skills Strategy (GSS) can help you get to work in Canada faster by offering two-week processing times on eligible work permit applications.
To be eligible, you must be applying online from outside Canada in one of these situations:
Situation one
Your employer has a positive Global Talent Stream (GTS) (Category A or B) Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) for your position.
In this situation, you must tell us you are applying using a GTS LMIA when you complete your eligibility check. Otherwise, we won’t recognize you as a GSS applicant.
Situation two
You:

have an offer of employment from an employer who is exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process
have an occupation that is under TEER 0 or TEER 1 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC)
are applying for an employer-specific work permit


Some employers don’t need to submit an offer of employment or pay the employer compliance fee. Find out how to get a work permit for these jobs.

Find out how to apply for two-week processing if you are eligible.
Question: Are all Global Skills Strategy (GSS) work permit applications processed in two weeks?
Answer: No. Our commitment is to process 80% of complete applications within 2 weeks.

Processing times for GSS applications continue to be affected by both

the number of applications we received while COVID-19 health and travel restrictions were in place
an increase in applications as health and travel restrictions lift in Canada and around the world

It will probably take more than 2 weeks to process your GSS application. We’re continuing to recover so we can return to 2-week processing.
Question: I have a Global Talent Stream (GTS) LMIA, do I have to do anything else to get two-week processing?
Answer: Processing delays for GSS applications 
Processing times for GSS applications continue to be affected by

the number of applications we’ve already received
an increase in applications as health and travel restrictions lift in Canada and around the world

It will probably take more than 2 weeks to process your GSS application. We’re continuing to recover so we can return to 2-week processing.

Yes. To get two-week processing, you must check your eligibility and:

answer “Yes” when asked if you have a written offer from an employer in Canada
select “a work permit with a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)” when asked what type of work permit you are applying for
answer “Yes” when asked if your employers LMIA was issued under the “Global Talent Stream” (applicants applying under the International Mobility Program don’t have to answer yes to this question)
Apply online from outside Canada

Local visa office requirements
Many of our visa offices abroad have specific instructions that the worker needs to follow. Check the local visa office requirements to make sure the worker includes all required documents with their application.
If there are local instructions to follow you can find them in the application package.

Go to the work permit application.
Select apply online.
Select the country or territory the worker is applying from.
Download the country-specific “visa office requirements” from the list of documents, if there are any.

To be eligible for two-week processing the worker must include certified translations of documents that aren’t in English or French, even if the visa office requirements say we accept other languages.
Examples of requirements that may change depending on where you are applying from:

police certificates
biometrics

It is your responsibility to make sure your application is complete. If you forget something, your application may be delayed or refused.
Question: When should I get my medical exam to apply for two-week work permit processing through the GSS?
Answer: Processing delays for GSS applications 
Processing times for GSS applications continue to be affected by

the number of applications we’ve already received
an increase in applications as health and travel restrictions lift in Canada and around the world

It will probably take more than 2 weeks to process your GSS application. We’re continuing to recover so we can return to 2-week processing.

If you need a medical exam, get it before you apply so you can include it in your application. This is called an upfront medical exam.
Find out more about upfront medical exams.
Question: I’m applying for a work permit under the GSS. Do I need include a police certificate?
Answer: Processing delays for GSS applications 
Processing times for GSS applications continue to be affected by

the number of applications we’ve already received
an increase in applications as health and travel restrictions lift in Canada and around the world

It will probably take more than 2 weeks to process your GSS application. We’re continuing to recover so we can return to 2-week processing.

It depends on where you are applying from. Many of our visa offices abroad have specific instructions that you need to follow. To find out if you need a police certificate:

Go to the work permit application.
Select the country or territory you are applying from.
Download the country-specific “visa office requirements” from the list of documents, if there are any.

Visa office instructions are specific to your location and will tell you if you need a police certificate.
If your police certificate is not in English or French you must get a certified translation and include it in your application, even if the visa office requirements say we accept other languages.
If you can’t get a police certificate, include an explanation and any supporting documents with your application. We will review your explanation and let you know if we need more information.
If you need a police certificate but don’t include it with your application, it may take longer than two weeks to process your application.
Find out how to get a police certificate.
Question: I’m eligible for two-week processing under the GSS. Can I bring my family?
Answer: Processing delays for GSS applications 
Processing times for GSS applications continue to be affected by

the number of applications we’ve already received
an increase in applications as health and travel restrictions lift in Canada and around the world

It will probably take more than 2 weeks to process your GSS application. We’re continuing to recover so we can return to 2-week processing.

Yes, if you all apply at the same time, your spouse, common-law partner or dependent children will also be eligible for two-week processing. Make sure everyone submits a complete application to avoid delays.
Question: Can I get two-week processing if I am applying under the International Mobility Program?
Answer: Processing delays for GSS applications 
Processing times for GSS applications continue to be affected by

the number of applications we’ve already received
an increase in applications as health and travel restrictions lift in Canada and around the world

It will probably take more than 2 weeks to process your GSS application. We’re continuing to recover so we can return to 2-week processing.

Yes, if you are applying for a work permit through the International Mobility Program, submit your application online normally. We’ll process your application within the two-week standard automatically if you:

are eligible for the Global Skills Strategy (GSS)
submit a complete application

Local visa office requirements
Many of our visa offices abroad have specific instructions that the worker needs to follow. Check the local visa office requirements to make sure the worker includes all required documents with their application.
If there are local instructions to follow you can find them in the application package.

Go to the work permit application.
Select apply online.
Select the country or territory the worker is applying from.
Download the country-specific “visa office requirements” from the list of documents, if there are any.

To be eligible for two-week processing the worker must include certified translations of documents that aren’t in English or French, even if the visa office requirements say we accept other languages.
Examples of requirements that may change depending on your location:

police certificates
biometrics

It is your responsibility to make sure your application is complete. If you forget something, your application may be delayed or refused.
Question: I need an LMIA for my work permit application. How do I know if I am part of the Global Talent Stream?
Answer: The positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) that your employer must share with you before you can apply for your work permit will tell you if you are part of the Global Talent Stream (GTS).
Find out how to benefit from the Global Skills Strategy if you are LMIA-exempt.
Question: Which browsers can I use to pay online?
Answer: To pay for certain applications online, you need one of the following browsers:

Microsoft Edge 106 or higher
Google Chrome 30 or higher
Mozilla Firefox 27 or higher
Safari 8 or higher

If you are having issues paying online, update your browser to the latest version and try again.
Question: Can I withdraw an offer of employment?
Answer: Yes. In the Employer Portal, select the “Withdraw application” option next to your employment offer. This will also trigger a refund.
If you don’t see the “Withdraw application” option, use the Employer Portal User Guide to find out how to proceed.
Question: Can a human resource placement agency submit offers of employment on behalf of my company?
Answer: No. The temporary worker will be working directly for your company, not the placement agency. This means that the offer of employment must come from your company. Only the primary employer or its secondary users (including authorized representatives) and branches can submit offers.
Question: If my company merges with, or is taken over by, another company, what happens to employees who have temporary work permits?
Answer: The new company will take responsibility for any temporary workers at business locations that were included in the merger if:

it becomes the successor in interest by taking over your company’s assets and liabilities
it takes over the portion of your business that employs your temporary workers

The new employer doesn’t need to submit a new offer of employment and the worker doesn’t need a new work permit if both of the following apply:

both companies (the original employer and the new employer) run the same type of business
none of the work permit conditions change, including the following:
    
wages
job duties
work location



If the type of business, the wages, the job duties or the work location changes, affected workers will need to get new work permits. In this case, the new employer will need to either submit a new offer of employment for each worker or get a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) (if the job is not LMIA-exempt). These workers can’t keep working until they get their new work permits.
In all cases, both companies should keep all documents about the merger or takeover in case we do a compliance inspection.
The new employer will need to submit a new offer to us if they want to extend the worker’s permit when it expires.