Open work permit extensions
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As an H-1B visa holder or their family member, you were eligible for an open work permit with a validity period of up to 3 years.
If your permit was issued with a validity period of less than 3 years, you may be eligible for an extension.
Deadline to apply for an extension: December 15, 2026 Updated submission deadline
Who can extend their H-1B open work permit
H-1B visa holders
To be eligible to extend your open work permit as an H-1B visa holder, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- You currently hold a valid H-1B open work permit issued under the H-1B public policy.
- Your current H-1B open work permit is valid for less than 3 years from the date it was issued.
- You apply for an extension before December 16, 2026 Updated submission deadline.
- You’re inside Canada when you apply for your extension.
We can’t issue a permit for longer than the validity of your passport. Your open work permit will be issued for up to the remainder of the maximum 3-year validity period or to expiry date listed on your passport, whichever comes first.
Family members of H-1B visa holders
To be eligible to extend your open work permit as a family member of an H-1B visa holder, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- You currently hold a valid H-1B an open work permit issued as a family member of an H-1B visa holder.
- Your current H-1B open work permit is valid for less than 3 years from the date it was issued.
- The H-1B visa holder is eligible to extend their H-1B open work permit.
- You apply for an extension before December 16, 2026.
- You’re inside Canada when you apply for your extension.
We can’t issue a visa or permit for longer than the validity of your passport. Your permit will be issued to whichever of the following dates is the earliest:
- the validity of the primary H-1B visa holder’s work permit or
- the expiry date listed on your passport
How to extend your H-1B open work permit
Apply online using your IRCC secure account.
This is a different account than you used for your initial H-1B open work permit application.
When you apply, you must
- follow the general instructions for how to extend an open work permit and
- complete certain fields in your IMM 5710 form exactly as shown below, depending on whether you’re applying as
Follow the application instructions
You must complete the fields below exactly as shown so we can identify your application under this temporary policy. If you don’t follow these instructions exactly
-
we won’t be able to confirm that you’re applying as
- an H-1B visa holder
- a family member of an H-1B visa holder
- your application may be delayed or refused
H-1B visa holders
Follow the steps below to apply for an open work permit extension as an H1B visa holder.
Step 1: Read the guide to find out how to apply to extend your open work permit.
Step 2: Complete the IMM 5710 (opens in a new tab) form. Be sure to complete the following field exactly as shown.
-
In the “Job Title” field
- enter “H1BP”
Step 3: Create an account or sign in to the IRCC secure account.
Family members of H-1B visa holders
Follow the steps below to apply for an open work permit extension as a family member of an H-1B visa holder.
Step 1: Read the guide to find out how to apply to extend your open work permit.
Step 2: Complete the IMM 5710 (opens in a new tab) form. Be sure to complete the following field exactly as shown.
-
In the “Job Title” field
- enter “H1BF”
-
In the “Brief description of duties” field
- enter the work permit extension application number of the H-1B visa holder
Step 3: Create an account or sign in to the IRCC secure account.