Canada extends LMIA submission window to 90 days for work permit renewals

Foreign workers in Canada facing expiring status now have 90 days instead of 60 days to provide an approved Labour Market Impact Assessment for permit extensions, under immigration updates effective Aug. 21, 2026.

The updated concurrent processing window

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will hold eligible extension files for up to 90 days from receipt before deciding a case, the department confirmed in a program delivery update. The previous policy gave applicants 60 days to secure and submit an approved Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

The extension gives employers additional breathing room to navigate federal processing backlogs without leaving workers stranded. Applicants who submit their work permit extension before their current authorization expires retain maintained status, allowing them to keep working under the same conditions until IRCC issues a final decision.

Strict eligibility requirements

The 90-day concession doesn't apply across the board. To qualify for concurrent processing, applicants must meet specific criteria:

• The worker must submit the extension application from within Canada when their existing permit expires in two weeks or less.

• The employer must have already submitted a complete LMIA application to ESDC with sufficient lead time.

• The worker must provide proof of the pending LMIA submission when filing the extension.

Failing to upload the positive LMIA and any required Quebec Acceptance Certificate within the 90-day limit will lead to a refusal for incompleteness, IRCC warned.

Impact on foreign workers and remote stays

This procedural update solely affects employer-specific permits under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. As outlined in our breakdown of Canada's residency rules, the policy change offers no new working rights to visitors, tourists or digital nomads operating remotely on visitor status.

Foreign workers facing imminent permit expirations must ensure their employer has officially lodged the ESDC application before submitting their paperwork to IRCC. Submitting an LMIA request concurrently with the permit filing or just days prior will disqualify the applicant from the 90-day grace period.