Renewing your work permit

Beginning February 21, 2015 Citizenship and Immigration Canada has implemented a new process for employers hiring foreign nationals who are exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This includes postdoctoral fellows renewing their work permits. Employers must submit an offer of employment online through the Employer Portal and pay a fee before the work permit application is submitted. Ensure that that the offer and payment have been submitted electronically by your academic unit before you submit your work permit application. You will need a copy of the completed form for inclusion with your work permit application.
International postdoctoral fellows must ensure that they hold a valid work permit at all times. It is very important that you file your application for a renewed work permit with the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Case Processing Centre within a sufficient timeline (at least 90 days if you apply online and at least 120 days if you send your application by regular mail) before the expiry date on your current work permit, and that you pay the appropriate fees and keep your receipt. This also applies to accompanying spouses/dependents.
If the delay in processing and issuing your new work permit is attributable to CIC, you will be presumed as having “implied status”, provided that you do not leave Canada during the time you are waiting to receive your new work permit.

Temporarily leaving Canada during work permit processing

If you leave Canada temporarily before your application for a work permit (renewed or initial) is finalized by CIC Case Processing Centre (i.e. before your work permit has been issued or re-issued and has physically reached you), you put yourself at risk of losing your “implied status”.
When you seek re-entry into Canada without being in possession of a valid work permit, your application will be automatically cancelled. You will have to re-apply for a work permit (either at the port of entry if you have the right to do so, or at a visa office outside Canada) and pay another processing fee.
Such a situation may have a negative impact on your eligibility for Quebec Medicare benefits, and on that of family members whose legal status in Canada is linked to your work permit.
It is advisable that you inform yourself of CIC regulations and Medicare benefits for holders of work permits.

SOURCE: MCGILL UNIVERSITY