Work permit renewal for Convention refugee

[ALI-26]

Hello,

I first applied as a refugee claimant in August 2023 and received a work permit valid for two years. I then applied for a work permit extension in April 2025 and was issued a one-year renewal valid until May 2026. I became a protected person in October 2025 and have since applied for permanent residence, but I have not yet received an AOR.

My question is: once I apply for a work permit renewal before its expiration, how long can I expect the new work permit to be valid?

Also, I am planning to apply about 40 days before my work permit expires. Is that enough time? Last year, I applied 4–5 months before expiry as a refugee claimant and received a response after about 40 days. However, my previous work permit was supposed to expire in September 2025, and when the renewal was approved in May, I lost about four months of validity.

Thank you.

 

[maplefamilyca]

Hello,

I first applied as a refugee claimant in August 2023 and received a work permit valid for two years. I then applied for a work permit extension in April 2025 and was issued a one-year renewal valid until May 2026. I became a protected person in October 2025 and have since applied for permanent residence, but I have not yet received an AOR.

My question is: once I apply for a work permit renewal before its expiration, how long can I expect the new work permit to be valid?

Also, I am planning to apply about 40 days before my work permit expires. Is that enough time? Last year, I applied 4–5 months before expiry as a refugee claimant and received a response after about 40 days. However, my previous work permit was supposed to expire in September 2025, and when the renewal was approved in May, I lost about four months of validity.

Thank you.

In my case, it take 1 months to get approval. However, some cases may take more than 3 months. I would like to advice to apply 2 months before work permit expired. Anyway, once you submit your application, you will receive confirmation of submission and confirmation of application received by IRCC letter. In this letter they will mentioned that you can continue working with the same conditions until (submission date+1year) or until you get the approval.

 

[ALI-26]

In my case, it take 1 months to get approval. However, some cases may take more than 3 months. I would like to advice to apply 2 months before work permit expired. Anyway, once you submit your application, you will receive confirmation of submission and confirmation of application received by IRCC letter. In this letter they will mentioned that you can continue working with the same conditions until (submission date+1year) or until you get the approval.

Thank you for your reply. How long is the validity of your new work permit? Regarding medical exams and biometrics, mine have expired according to my GCMS notes. I applied for permanent residence on October 8, 2025, and I still have not received an AOR. Do you think they will ask me to submit medical exams and biometrics again?i am asking because i am not sure if i will receive AOR before my WP renewal date.

 

[appwarez]

Hello,

I first applied as a refugee claimant in August 2023 and received a work permit valid for two years. I then applied for a work permit extension in April 2025 and was issued a one-year renewal valid until May 2026. I became a protected person in October 2025 and have since applied for permanent residence, but I have not yet received an AOR.

My question is: once I apply for a work permit renewal before its expiration, how long can I expect the new work permit to be valid?

Also, I am planning to apply about 40 days before my work permit expires. Is that enough time? Last year, I applied 4–5 months before expiry as a refugee claimant and received a response after about 40 days. However, my previous work permit was supposed to expire in September 2025, and when the renewal was approved in May, I lost about four months of validity.

Thank you.

Now that you are a protected person, your work permit is no longer tied to claimant status.
In practice, IRCC commonly issues: 1 year or 2 years

There is no fixed rule, but the officer looks at: as far as I know
* Your status stability (protected person = stable)
* Whether PR is in process (AOR helps, but not required)
* 1-year open work permit (most common without PR AOR), or
* 2-year open work permit (very possible once PR is clearly in process)

 

[SKROR]

Applied to renew on Dec 27, 2025
Approved for 2 year WP on Feb 03, 2026. Mine was about to be expired in March 2026. This is my 4th two year WP. Status PROTECTED PERSON.
Thanks