Published
Prabhpreet Kaur Sangha is a lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation, called to the BC bar in 2019, and a member of the Law Society of British Columbia.
Updated November 13, 2026: IRCC’s February 2026 instructions for open work permits for vulnerable workers checked that day.
Extending is narrow: a second vulnerable worker permit is possible only if you still hold a valid employer-specific permit (or maintained status) and the abuse or risk continues.
Most people move on: to a new employer-specific permit, another open permit, or permanent residence.
Start early: apply for the next permit before this one expires. Why a lawyer
Our immigration lawyers
Sundeep S. GrewalBarrister and Solicitor
Prabhpreet Kaur SanghaBarrister and Solicitor
Pardeep S. GrewalBarrister and SolicitorAbout our lawyers
Sundeep S. Grewal founded Lawgical Law Corporation and argues immigration cases at the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Federal Court of Canada.
Prabhpreet Kaur Sangha focuses on refugee claims, immigration appeals, inadmissibility, detention reviews and Federal Court cases, and has presented at Continuing Legal Education seminars and the National Immigration Conference.
Pardeep S. Grewal is an immigration and estates lawyer known for clear communication and practical strategy.
The open work permit for vulnerable workers is meant as a bridge out of an abusive job, usually for 12 months. It can’t simply be renewed. A second one is possible only in narrow cases, so most people need to plan their next permit or a route to permanent residence well before it expires.
Lawgical Law Corporation, an immigration law firm in Surrey, Abbotsford and Vancouver, BC, prepares open work permit applications for vulnerable workers, from the letter of explanation and evidence to refusals and Federal Court reviews; this guide is by Prabhpreet Kaur Sangha.
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Can you get a second one?
IRCC’s instructions allow another vulnerable worker permit only if you are still in Canada, your employer-specific permit is still valid or you are on maintained status, and the abuse or risk of abuse continues. For most people, the old employer-specific permit has expired by then.
Common next steps
| Option | When it fits |
|---|---|
| A new employer-specific permit | A new employer with an LMIA or an LMIA-exempt job offer; see changing employers on a closed work permit |
| Another open work permit | For example, as the spouse of an eligible worker or student |
| Permanent residence | Canadian work experience can count toward Express Entry or a provincial nominee program, depending on the job |
| Humanitarian and compassionate application | In some cases, where the person has built a life in Canada |
The low-wage LMIA freeze in parts of BC affects which jobs can get an LMIA; see the low-wage LMIA freeze in BC.
Apply before it expires
If you apply for your next permit before the vulnerable worker permit expires, you can usually keep working while it is processed. If it expires first, you have to stop working and may need to apply to restore your status within 90 days.
Why this needs a lawyer
One lawyer, one file, every step:
- planning your next permit from the day you are approved;
- finding the right route to permanent residence;
- filing before the permit expires;
- dealing with refusals of the next application.
The year goes quickly. The right next step depends on your job, your experience and your family.
Immigration lawyers are members of a provincial law society (in our case, the Law Society of British Columbia), and only a lawyer can represent you in the Federal Court if a refusal has to be challenged there. An immigration consultant cannot appear in that court for you.
Mistakes I have seen
- Waiting until the last month to plan.
- Assuming the permit can be extended like a normal one.
- Taking a job that can’t support a new permit.
- Letting the permit expire before applying for the next.
Frequently asked questions
Can I extend my vulnerable worker open work permit?
Only in narrow cases: you still hold a valid employer-specific permit or maintained status, and the abuse continues.
Does work on this permit count for permanent residence?
It can, depending on the job and the program.
Can I go back to an LMIA job?
Yes, with a new employer and a new employer-specific permit.
What should I do right now?
As soon as you’re approved, start planning the next permit, and aim to apply at least three months before expiry.
Book a consultation with our immigration lawyers in Surrey, Abbotsford or Vancouver, or online from anywhere.
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Sources (official)
- IRCC instructions: Open work permits for vulnerable workers [R207.1 – A72] (modified February 6, 2026)
- Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, s. 207.1
This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case depends on its own facts.