Newcomers to Canada often need to understand why their permits may not be valid for the full length of their stay in Canada. This is especially important for temporary residents, such as those coming to Canada on a work permit or study permit.
Both work permit holders and study permit holders need to ensure that their permits are valid for the duration of their employment contract or academic program, respectively. Unfortunately, there are two main reasons why a permit may not be valid for the full duration of a foreign national’s stay in Canada.
One reason is that the permit holder’s passport or travel document may be set to expire before the end of their desired stay. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) only provides permits for as long as a foreign national’s passport/travel document is valid. This means that temporary residents are not allowed to remain in Canada beyond this expiration date.
Another reason is that International Experience Canada (IEC) participants can only receive work permits for as long as their health insurance coverage is valid. Without adequate health insurance coverage that matches the length of their work permit, IEC participants are not eligible for a permit extension.
To extend their stay in Canada, foreign nationals with expiring passports or travel documents can apply to extend their work or study permit with IRCC. Study permit extension applicants are required to apply at least 30 days before the expiration of their current permit, while work permit extension applicants are encouraged to do the same.
It is important for newcomers to Canada to carefully consider the validity of their permits and the documentation required for extensions. This will ensure that they can make the most of their time in the country while pursuing their goals.
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