IRCC Reminds Foreign Workers of Permit Compliance Steps

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced on September 12, 2026, that having a valid work permit is the first step for foreign nationals to work legally in Canada. The reminder was posted on IRCC's verified X (formerly Twitter) page, emphasizing that while a valid work permit is foundational, workers must also understand and comply with all conditions listed on the document.

IRCC outlined three critical steps: reading and meeting all conditions on work permits, applying for extensions at least 30 days before expiry, and changing any conditions as circumstances require. The 30-day extension window is crucial to avoid a break in authorized status, which could jeopardize a worker's ability to remain and work legally.

Failure to comply with these conditions may result in having to leave or stop working once a permit expires. The announcement serves as a reminder that compliance is the responsibility of the workers, particularly for Nigerian workers holding employer-specific or sector-specific permits.