Official update: October 28, 2026. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) revised instructions for certain in-Canada work permit applications that are being processed while an employer’s Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) remains pending.
What has changed?
For applications that qualify for concurrent processing, IRCC officers are now directed to hold the work permit application until a decision is made on the employer’s LMIA, rather than deciding it solely because an earlier 90-day waiting window has expired. The work permit decision still depends on the LMIA result and all other applicable requirements.
Who may be affected?
This is relevant to some workers already in Canada who need to extend an LMIA-required work permit and whose employer has filed an LMIA application sufficiently in advance. Under the published concurrent-processing conditions, the worker’s permit must generally expire within two weeks or less, and the employer must have applied with sufficient lead time for the LMIA to be processed. An LMIA application submitted at the last minute does not automatically qualify for concurrent processing.
Important: This development does not eliminate the LMIA requirement for ordinary Temporary Foreign Worker Program work permits, guarantee approval, create a new work permit pathway, or authorize someone without status to continue working. Whether a worker has maintained status and can keep working depends on their particular application history and conditions.
What this may mean for applicants
If your work permit is expiring and your employer is awaiting an LMIA decision, verify your filing timeline, proof of your employer’s LMIA submission, and your present work authorization before taking action. CMS can help assess whether concurrent processing applies and what supporting documents or follow-up may be appropriate.
Source checked: IRCC’s Labour Market Impact Assessment Review – Temporary Foreign Worker Program operational instructions, updated October 28, 2026; and the Government of Canada’s work permit extension guidance.
Need a review of your work permit and pending LMIA circumstances? Request an initial CMS assessment or contact Canada Migration Services Inc. through the WhatsApp option on our website.
General information only. Application-specific advice requires review of individual circumstances by a licensed immigration professional.
