Can You Stay in Canada After Your PGWP Expires?

Quick Answer

Yes, you may be able to stay in Canada after your PGWP expires, but only if you have or apply for another valid temporary status or qualify for restoration. Staying in Canada and continuing to work are not the same thing. A visitor record may let you stay, but it does not let you work. A new work permit application may allow maintained status only if it was filed before your current permit expired and you meet the conditions.

If your PGWP has already expired, stop working and check restoration immediately.

The Main Rule: Status First, Work Authorization Second

A PGWP expiry creates two questions:

Can you lawfully remain in Canada?
Can you lawfully keep working?

IRCC’s maintained status guidance says a worker who applied for another work permit before expiry may be authorized to keep working under the same conditions while waiting for a decision. But if the person applied for a study permit or visitor record, IRCC says they must stop working when the original work permit expires.

That difference is where many mistakes happen.

If You Applied Before PGWP Expiry

If you applied for an eligible new work permit before your PGWP expired, you may have maintained status and may be able to continue working under the same conditions as the original permit until IRCC makes a decision.

If you applied to change to visitor status before expiry, you may be able to remain in Canada while the application is processed, but you should not keep working after the PGWP expiry date.

If Your PGWP Already Expired

If your work permit and status already expired, you may be able to apply for restoration within 90 days in regular cases. IRCC says workers who lose status must stop working, and there is no guarantee restoration or a new work permit will be approved.

If more than 90 days have passed, the options become much narrower and you may need to leave Canada and apply from outside Canada.

PR Application and Bridging Open Work Permit

If you have already submitted a qualifying PR application, a bridging open work permit may be possible. This is common for some Express Entry applicants who are waiting for a PR decision, have valid status, are in Canada, and meet the timing rules.

An Express Entry profile alone is not enough. You usually need the PR application to have reached the required stage.

For a fuller route comparison, read PGWP expiring in Canada: options in 2026.

New Work Permit Options

You may be able to stay and work if you qualify for another work permit category, such as:

LMIA-supported employer-specific work permit
LMIA-exempt International Mobility Program category
province-supported work permit
spousal or family open work permit, if eligible
bridging open work permit after a qualifying PR application
other narrow public policy or pilot category

Each route has its own requirements. Do not submit a rushed application unless you can identify the actual work permit category.

Visitor Record

If the goal is simply to avoid falling out of status, a visitor record may help. IRCC says a worker can apply to change temporary resident category to visitor, and recommends applying at least 30 days before status expires.

Visitor status is not work authorization. It can buy lawful time, but not income.

Leaving Canada and Applying From Outside

Leaving Canada may be the cleaner option if no inland status route is available. This can reduce the risk of overstaying, but it may affect work, housing, family and future application planning. If you leave, keep records of departure and avoid working in Canada without authorization.

Housing and Family Planning Note

If your income may pause after PGWP expiry, your lease and city plan should reflect that risk. A visitor record, restoration request or PR wait can create months of uncertainty. Use rental planning for temporary residents before making a move or renewing a lease while status is pending.

Checklist Before Expiry

Check the exact PGWP expiry date
Check passport expiry
Decide whether the next application is work permit, visitor record, study permit or PR-related work permit
File before expiry if eligible
Save proof of submission
Stop working if the application type does not preserve work authorization
Prepare restoration immediately if status is already lost

Status and Document Checklist Sequence

Use this sequence before you buy a ticket, renew a lease, or send a rushed webform. Check whether you are still a temporary resident, whether your work permit conditions remain valid, and whether the next step is a work permit, study permit, visitor visa, visitor record, restoration, or permanent resident application support. Keep arrival proof, passport pages, SIN expiry, housing records, funds, IRCC receipts and the official Canada.ca document checklist together. Ask whether each document proves status, eligibility, conditions and timeline. Do not keep working unless the application type actually preserves work authorization.

FAQ

Can I stay in Canada if my PGWP expires tomorrow?

Possibly, if you file an eligible application before expiry or qualify for restoration later. The work question depends on the application type.

Can I work while waiting for a visitor record?

Generally no. IRCC says workers changing to visitor status must stop working when the work permit expires.

Can I restore status and work during restoration?

Usually no. IRCC says you must stop working until status and work authorization are restored.

Is leaving Canada better than restoration?

It depends on your timeline, eligibility and risk. Restoration can be refused, but leaving also has practical consequences.

Official Sources

Sources checked: IRCC and Canada.ca official pages listed below.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Get professional advice if your status has already expired or you may have worked without authorization.