Canada has quietly made a practical change that could ease a lot of stress for foreign workers waiting on permit decisions.

According to updated guidance from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), work authorisation support letters, often called WP-EXT letters, will now be valid for 365 days instead of 180 days.

What Are WP-EXT Letters?

WP-EXT letters are simple documents. They confirm that a foreign worker is allowed to keep working while their new work permit is being processed. They apply to people who:

• Applied for a new work permit before their old one expired
• Are staying in Canada legally while waiting for a decision

This situation is known as “maintained status.”

What Is Maintained Status?

Maintained status is a rule under Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. It allows workers to:

• Stay in Canada legally
• Keep working under the same job conditions
• Continue until a final decision is made on their application

Nothing about this rule has changed. What’s changed is how long the proof document stays valid.

The Big Change: 365 Days Instead of 180

Earlier, WP-EXT letters were valid for 6 months. That often caused issues if applications took longer. Now:

• Validity is extended to 12 months (365 days)
• Workers don’t need to worry about renewing or explaining expired letters
• Employers get clearer proof that someone can legally work

It’s a small policy tweak, but a useful one.

Important: This Letter Is Not a Work Permit

This part matters. A WP-EXT letter does not permit you to work on its own. It only confirms that:

• You already have the right to work under a maintained status
• Your application is still in process

Think of it as proof, not permission.

Exception: Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

Not everyone gets the 1-year validity for the work authorisation letters. If you’re applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit:

• Your WP-EXT letter is still valid for 180 days only
• No change applies here

This is one of the few categories left untouched.

What About Multiple Applications?

The updated guidance also clarifies confusion about people who submit more than one work permit application. Here’s the simple version:

• If you apply again before your status expires, you may still maintain your status
• If timing or paperwork isn’t right, you could lose it
• If an application is refused, withdrawn, or incomplete, your status can end

So timing and accuracy still matter a lot.

Why This Update Matters

This change doesn’t rewrite immigration law. It simply updates how officers handle proof of work authorisation. But on the ground, it helps:

• Workers avoid unnecessary stress
• Employers feel more confident about compliance
• Fewer gaps in documentation during long processing times

In short, less confusion, fewer interruptions.

The Bottom Line

Canada hasn’t changed who can work or the rules around maintained status. But it has made life a bit easier for people waiting in the system. A one-year validity for WP-EXT letters means fewer headaches and more stability while decisions are pending.

If you’re planning to extend your work permit in Canada, this is a small but helpful detail worth knowing.

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