Working Holiday Visa Expiring? Here's How to Stay in Canada

The Working Holiday Visa (work permit) is part of Canadian government's International Experience Canada (IEC work permit) program. IEC participants in the Working Holiday category can receive an open work permit, with a validity period of one to two years. To be eligible, most applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old and from an eligible country.

For most people, the Working Holiday is a one-time opportunity. Once it expires, you can’t renew or extend the original work permit — unless you’re from a country that allows multiple participations or you’re eligible under a different IEC category. Each country that participates in the IEC program has specific eligibility requirements and work permit durations.

If your Working Holiday visa is coming to an end and you want to stay in Canada, it’s important to know your options before it expires. In this article, we’ll go over different legal pathways you can consider, such as a new work permit application, switching to a study permit, or exploring permanent residency.

Can I Extend My Working Holiday Visa?

In most cases, you cannot extend your Working Holiday visa. It is meant to be a one-time opportunity under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program.

However, depending on your situation, you may be able to apply again for a new participation — but these are not work permit extensions, and they don’t grant you maintained status, even if you apply before the expiry date of your initially granted work permit. You’ll need to leave Canada and wait for your new work permit application to be approved before you can return and work again; OR apply for visitor status and remain waiting for the approval of your new permit in Canada.

The only option for extension of a working holiday permit is if your original work permit was cut short because of your passport expiry. If this is your situation, you can apply for an extension once you have your new passport.

Note that you are not eligible for an extension of your IEC permit if it was cut short because you did not present private medical insurance that was valid for the entire length of your approved participation. If you arrived to the port of entry with medical insurance that was too short, then unfortunately you are out of luck. Your work permit validity will not change.

How to qualify for a 2nd IEC Participation

1. Applying for a second participation in Working Holiday

'Extensions' for the IEC work permits are subject to the maximum allowed time under the agreement with your country.

Some countries have agreements with Canadian immigration authorities that allow their citizens to participate in the IEC work permit program more than once, sometimes under the same category. For example, British citizens can participate in IEC twice under any work permit category, including working holiday. The maximum length for the first participation is 24 months and the maximum length for the second participation is 12 months, bringing the entire length to 36 months.

You must still meet the age and eligibility requirements and apply again through the IEC pool. This is treated as a brand-new application, not an extension. You will need a new Invitation to Apply (ITA) and a new Port of Entry Letter, and you will need to activate your new work permit with a Canadian border services officer or an immigration officer at a later date. The process is much the same as the first time - you will want to bring proof of medical insurance coverage as well as proof of means of financial support.

2. Applying for a different work permit under International Experience Canada

If you originally entered Canada as a working holiday participant, you may be able to participate again under a different IEC category, such as:

Young Professionals

You will need a valid e-job offer in your field of study or professional experience. These work permits are intended to help with your professional development. Note that you will receive an employer-specific work permit and your employer will need to pay an employer compliance fee, currently $230. This is in addition to the IEC work permit processing fee.

International Co-op (Internship)

You may be eligible for an IEC International Co-op work permit if you are a student enrolled in a post-secondary program in your home country, and you need a work placement or internship in Canada as part of your studies. Note that the employer compliance fee applies, and your prospective Canadian employer will need to submit an e-job offer.

Not everyone is eligible for multiple IEC participations. Whether you can switch to another category depends on:

• Your country of citizenship
• The participation limits set for your country under the IEC agreement
• Your current age and whether you still meet the IEC eligibility criteria

It’s important to check the official Immigration and Citizenship Canada website to see if your country allows more than one participation, and whether you qualify for a different category.



Note that applicants under the Young Professionals and International Co-op categories can only change employers if they have a valid reason.

3. IEC participation with dual citizenship

If you have dual citizenship, you may be able to apply again using your second passport, as long as:

• The second country of your valid passport also has an IEC agreement with Canada
• You haven’t already used up your participation limit under that country
• You meet the eligibility requirements (age, health insurance coverage, etc.)
• You must have health insurance that covers the entire duration of your intended stay in Canada.



This is still considered a separate application and doesn’t give you maintained status like other regular work permit extensions. Ensure that you monitory the expiry date of your current permit in Canada to ensure that you don't inadvertently become illegal while waiting for the approval of your next participation.

4. Using a Recognized Organization (RO)

Some candidates can get extra IEC participations by applying through a Recognized Organization (RO). These are private or non-profit organizations approved by Immigration and Citizenship Canada to support young people coming to Canada.

If your IEC country only allows one participation, using an RO may allow you to:

• Apply for a second or even third IEC permit
• Participate under a different category (e.g. Young Professionals instead of Working Holiday)
• Avoid standard country quotas or waiting lists

Each RO has its own programs, fees, and eligibility rules. You still need to apply through the regular IEC process and wait for an ITA, but a support letter from a RO is a guaranteed way to get an invitation to apply for the permit.

To apply through an RO, you must:

• Have an agreement with one of the approved organizations
• Apply while still within the age limit
• Leave and re-enter Canada once your new permit is approved

How to Stay in Canada without an IEC work permit

If you’ve checked and found that you're not eligible to extend your Working Holiday visa work permit, or get a new participation, don’t worry — there are still ways to stay in Canada legally.

Let’s go over the most common pathways that Working Holiday participants can consider after their visa ends.

Option 1: Get an LMIA-Based Work Permit

If you’ve been working for an employer who wants to keep you employed after your Working Holiday visa ends, they may be able to help you stay by supporting your application for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

An LMIA is a document that your employer must get from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). It shows that they tried to hire a Canadian citizen or permanent resident first, but couldn’t find anyone suitable for the job.

If the LMIA is approved, you can use it to apply for a new employer-specific work permit. This means your new work permit will be tied to the same employer, same job, and same location, and your working conditions need to comply with the LMIA.

However, getting an LMIA is not easy:

• Your employer must advertise the job and meet strict requirements
• The process takes time and involves government fees

If your employer is supportive and committed, this can be a good option to stay and continue working in Canada for the same employer legally.

To learn more about the LMIA work permit, read our article 'The Ultimate Guide to LMIA-based Work Permits in Canada: A Step-by-Step Solution'.

Option 2: Apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit

If you’re in a married or common-law relationship with someone who is already working or studying in Canada, you may be able to apply for a spousal open work permit (SOWP). This type of permit lets you work for any employer and is not tied to a specific job or location.

However, as of January 21, 2025, IRCC has introduced stricter eligibility rules, especially for spouses of international students and lower-skilled workers.



To learn more about the spousal open work permit and other types of open work permits, read our article 'Everything You Need to Know About Open Work Permits in Canada'.

If Your Spouse Is an International Student

You may be eligible for an SOWP only if your spouse is studying in one of the following:



• A Master’s program lasting at least 16 months
• A Doctoral (PhD) program
• A professional program, such as medicine, law, nursing, dentistry, or engineering

If your spouse is studying in a short-term certificate or diploma program, or a Master's that is under 16 months, you are no longer eligible for a spousal open work permit under the new policy.

If Your Spouse Is a Foreign Worker

You may qualify if your spouse:

• Works in a TEER 0 or 1 occupation, or in a select TEER 2 or 3 occupation facing labour shortages
• Has at least 16 months of validity period remaining on their work permit when you apply



Spouses of workers in lower-skilled (TEER 4 or 5) jobs no longer qualify under these new rules.

Other Requirements

To apply, you’ll still need to show proof of your relationship, such as:

• A marriage certificate or
• Proof of at least 12 months of cohabitation (for common-law partners), and
• Supporting documents like joint leases, bills, or bank accounts

Option 3: Apply for a Canadian Study Permit

If you'd like to continue living in Canada and gain new skills, you can apply for a study permit — as long as you’re accepted to a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). This option allows you to stay in Canada legally as a student, and in many cases, work part-time during your studies.

To follow this path, you must:

• Apply for and receive an acceptance letter from a DLI
• Submit your study permit application before your Working Holiday visa expires
• Show that you have enough funds to support yourself during your studies

Important: You cannot start studying until your study permit is approved. So it’s best to plan ahead and apply as early as possible.

In some cases, graduating from an eligible program of studies can make you eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This can allow you to stay and work in Canada after finishing your studies, and later apply for permanent residence through programs like Express Entry.

If you're interested in long-term options in Canada, this can be a smart investment in your future — just be sure to choose a program and school that qualifies for PGWP if that’s your goal. Read our article 'How To Apply for a Study Permit to Canada' to learn more.

Option 4: Change to Visitor Status/ Visitor Record

If you’re not ready to leave Canada but aren’t eligible for another work or study permit yet, you can apply to change your status to a visitor. This allows you to stay in Canada legally for a bit longer while you figure out your next steps.

To do this, you must:

• Submit the application before your work permit expires
• Show that you have enough funds to support yourself as a visitor (since you won’t be working)
• Provide a valid reason that you want to stay in Canada as a visitor

As a visitor, you’re not allowed to work or study, but this option can give you more time to:

• Prepare a future work or study permit application
• Wait for an IEC Invitation to Apply (if you’re eligible for a second participation)
• Finalize documents for a permanent residence application



Changing to visitor status is a temporary solution, but it helps you stay in Canada legally and avoid losing status while making long-term plans.

Option 5: Permanent Residence Pathways

If you’ve gained at least one year of full-time skilled work experience in Canada during your Working Holiday stay, you may already be eligible to apply for permanent residence (PR). The Canadian immigration system has many permanent residency programs to help immigrants start their new life in Canada quickly and effectively.

Here are some of the main PR pathways:

Express Entry – Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Express Entry is a federal program that allows skilled foreign workers to get permanent residence in Canada in as little as six months.

If your work experience in Canada was in a skilled occupation (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3), you may qualify to apply under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) stream of Express Entry.

Applicants for Express Entry must create a profile on the IRCC website and enter their details to receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.

Each Express Entry draw occurs roughly every two weeks and offers Invitations to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency to candidates with the highest CRS scores.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)

Most provinces and territories have their own PNP streams, some of which are designed for temporary foreign workers who have gained local work experience on valid work permits. These can be online or paper applications.

If you're already working in a province or have a job offer, you may be eligible to apply for a nomination — which may boost your chances in Express Entry or lead to a direct PR application.

A Canadian Provincial Nominee Program can add up to 600 points to your CRS score for Express Entry, increasing your chances of receiving an ITA.

To be eligible for a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), under most circumstances, you should have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer and meet language requirements.

Spousal Sponsorship

If you’re in a genuine relationship with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, they may be able to sponsor you for PR. This applies to both married couples and common-law partners (living together for at least 12 months). This is one of the most straightforward PR pathways for those in long-term relationships. Note that paper applications are no longer accepted except for when special accommodations are granted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

While most Working Holiday permits cannot be extended, there are still several legal ways to stay in Canada longer — whether through a new work permit, a study permit, or even permanent residence.

The key is to know your options, act early, and make a plan before your status expires. Timing matters, and taking the right steps now can help you avoid losing status at the expiry date or missing opportunities.



If you’re unsure which path is right for you, consider speaking with a regulated Canadian immigration consultant who can guide you based on your unique situation.

The Way Immigration has extensive experience with IEC work permits since 2008. Contact the best immigration consultant in Calgary and book your consultation today for assistance with extending your stay in Canada after your working holiday.