{"id":2576,"date":"2026-11-13T16:45:15","date_gmt":"2026-11-13T16:45:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawgicalcorp.com\/blog\/vulnerable-worker-permit-ending-next-steps\/"},"modified":"2026-11-13T16:45:15","modified_gmt":"2026-11-13T16:45:15","slug":"vulnerable-worker-permit-ending-next-steps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lawgicalcorp.com\/blog\/vulnerable-worker-permit-ending-next-steps\/","title":{"rendered":"Vulnerable worker permit ending: can you extend it, and what comes next?"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Prabhpreet Kaur Sangha<\/a>, lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation \u00b7 Reviewed November 13, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n

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<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Updated November 13, 2026: IRCC’s February 2026 instructions for open work permits for vulnerable workers checked that day.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Extending is narrow:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

Most people move on:<\/strong> to a new employer-specific permit, another open permit, or permanent residence.<\/p>\n

Start early:<\/strong> apply for the next permit before this one expires. Why a lawyer<\/a><\/p>\n

Book a consultation<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Our immigration lawyers<\/p>\n

\"SundeepSundeep S. Grewal<\/span>Barrister and Solicitor<\/span><\/a>\"PrabhpreetPrabhpreet Kaur Sangha<\/span>Barrister and Solicitor<\/span><\/a>\"PardeepPardeep S. Grewal<\/span>Barrister and Solicitor<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n
\nAbout our lawyers<\/summary>\n
\n

Sundeep S. Grewal<\/a><\/strong> founded Lawgical Law Corporation and argues immigration cases at the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Federal Court of Canada.<\/p>\n

Prabhpreet Kaur Sangha<\/a><\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

Pardeep S. Grewal<\/a><\/strong> is an immigration and estates lawyer known for clear communication and practical strategy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Lawgical Law Corporation<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

Can you get a second one?<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Common next steps<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Where people go next<\/caption>\n
Option<\/th>\nWhen it fits<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
A new employer-specific permit<\/td>\nA new employer with an LMIA or an LMIA-exempt job offer; see changing employers on a closed work permit<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Another open work permit<\/td>\nFor example, as the spouse of an eligible worker or student<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Permanent residence<\/td>\nCanadian work experience can count toward Express Entry or a provincial nominee program, depending on the job<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Humanitarian and compassionate application<\/td>\nIn some cases, where the person has built a life in Canada<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

The low-wage LMIA freeze in parts of BC affects which jobs can get an LMIA; see the low-wage LMIA freeze in BC<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Apply before it expires<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Why this needs a lawyer<\/h2>\n

One lawyer, one file, every step:<\/strong><\/p>\n