An LMIA letter has an expiry date. Your work permit has an expiry date. They are almost never the same, and many workers panic when they notice the LMIA “expired” while they were still working. Usually nothing is wrong — the two dates do different jobs.
Quick Answer
The LMIA’s expiry date is the deadline for you to apply for the work permit — since May 1, 2024, new LMIAs are valid for a maximum of six months. Once you have applied in time and your permit is issued, the LMIA’s expiry date no longer affects you. What matters then is your work permit’s expiry date, which is based on the employment period in the LMIA and job offer (and cannot pass your passport’s expiry). To keep working past your permit’s expiry with the same employer, you usually need a new LMIA and a new permit application filed before the permit expires.
This guide explains general rules. It is not legal advice.
Two Dates, Two Purposes
| LMIA expiry date | Work permit expiry date | |
|---|---|---|
| What it controls | The last day to apply for the work permit using that LMIA | The last day you are authorized to work |
| Typical length | Up to 6 months from issue (since May 1, 2024) | Based on the LMIA’s employment period, limited by your passport |
| Does it matter after your permit is issued? | No | Yes — plan your next step before it |
Official rule: ESDC says the LMIA expiry date is the date by which the worker must have applied for a work permit. The job can start after that date, but the application must be submitted before it. If the worker does not apply in time, the employer needs a new LMIA.
Common Situations
- “My LMIA expired while I was working.” Normal. Your permit is valid until its own expiry date.
- “My LMIA expires next week and I haven’t applied.” Apply for the permit now; after the date, the LMIA cannot be used.
- “My permit is shorter than the LMIA’s employment period.” Usually because your passport was expiring — renew it and apply to extend (passport-limited permits).
- “My permit expires soon. Can my employer extend it?” Most LMIA-based extensions need a new LMIA. Your employer should start early — LMIA processing takes time — and you should file your extension before your permit expires (extension guide).
- “My PR application is in process.” A bridging open work permit may replace the need for a new LMIA (options while waiting for PR).
Red Flags
Being asked to pay for your LMIA or its renewal is prohibited (LMIA fees and your rights). So is an employer changing your wage or hours well below what the LMIA says (what to do).
