A Historic Number Of Work Permits Will Expire In Early 2026

That’s why this data matters. An IRCC table released through an ATIP request shows 314,538 work permits are set to expire between January and March 2026. That’s the biggest quarterly expiry wave shown in this dataset. 

But the table doesn’t show what happens next. It doesn’t tell us how many people will renew, move to PR, or leave Canada. Canada also doesn’t clearly track those outcomes in a way the public can see. 

The risk is this: when so many permits expire in one quarter, even if only some people apply to extend or change status, it can still overwhelm the system. That can lead to longer delays, more refusals, and more people stuck in limbo or out of status. 

This article breaks down what the data shows, what it doesn’t, and what it could mean for anyone trying to stay in Canada in 2026. (Data first shared by Kanwar Sierah on LinkedIn.) 

Where This Number Comes From 

According to IRCC data, 314,538 work permits expire between January and March 2026. 

IRCC ATIP data: Work permits expiring Q1 2026 total 314,538.

What Happens When a Work Permit Expires 

A work permit expiry isn’t just a date on a document; it’s a deadline. In Q1 2026, that deadline hits 314,538 people over three months. And when a work permit ends, every person has to land in one of a few outcomes, fast. 

For some, the path is simple: they apply for an extension or a new work permit and get approved. Others try to move toward permanent residency and use a bridging option to stay and keep working while their PR application is processed. Those who apply in time and can stay under maintained status while they wait for a decision, but that still means uncertainty – they’re stuck in “waiting mode” until IRCC decides. And some people leave Canada, either because they planned to, or because they don’t qualify to stay. 

Why a Big Spike in One Quarter Is a Problem 

A permit expiring doesn’t automatically trigger action from IRCC. What matters is what people do because their permit is ending. Many people will apply to renew, extend, switch status, or apply through another program so they can keep working or stay legally. 

That’s where processing pressures start to emerge. When permit expiries are spread out over the year, extension applications come in more steadily. But when hundreds of thousands of permits expire in the same quarter, a huge number of people have to apply at the same time, and that’s what creates backlogs and longer wait times. 

It’s also important to understand that this isn’t evenly spread across Canada. The impact won’t look the same in every province or every immigration stream. Some programs have more renewals, tighter rules, or fewer pathways. Some provinces rely more heavily on temporary workers in key sectors, which means the same expiry wave can hit harder in certain places. 

So, while the headline number is national, some communities, industries, and regions will feel the pressure more. 

Why Now? (What’s Making This Worse) 

Part of the reason Q1 2026 looks so big is simple timing. Canada issued a very high number of work permits in the last few years, especially under the International Mobility Program (IMP). In 2023, 765,262 people were issued work permits under the IMP and 184,008 under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). In 2024, 905,440 people began working in Canada on new work permits, including 717,405 under IMP and 191,630 under TFWP. When that many new permits are issued in a short period, many of them end up expiring in the same future window – which helps explain why early 2026 is so concentrated. 

The Real-World Impact 

For workers, the biggest issue is uncertainty. Even if someone applies on time, a delay can leave them stuck waiting and stressed about their job and future. If a renewal is refused or filed too late, some people can lose the legal right to work. That can mean lost income, sudden job loss, and, in some cases, problems accessing services tied to status. And, potentially leading to more risk of exploitation and vulnerability to immigration scams, due to uncertainty. 

This is also when “quick fixes” can seem tempting. Some people try “dummy” work permit applications just to buy time – meaning they submit an application they don’t really qualify for or don’t plan to follow through on. That’s not a good idea. If it gets refused or flagged, it can create bigger problems later, including losing work authorization and having fewer options. 

For employers, a surge in expiries can cause disruptions. Companies may face more paperwork and compliance pressure and could lose staff if approvals don’t come through in time. This can delay projects and increase costs. If many employers apply at once, processing can slow down, creating bottlenecks for industries that rely on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. 

For the government, the main risk is backlogs. High volume leads to longer processing times, more complex cases, and more restoration or appeal requests, which can slow the whole system even further. 

Rebecca’s take (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant Perspective)

Rebecca Major is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (R511564) with 15+ years of experience at Moving2Canada.

Rebecca’s first reaction was that these expiry numbers don’t show one key piece: how many people will be able to transition to permanent residency, and whether that rate has increased in the last few years. She also notes that this wave lines up with Canada’s targets: to reach the government’s goals, Canada likely needs a large share of temporary residents to leave over the next few years. 

Rebecca points out that the information in this table is from July 2024, and that the 2026 levels plan introduced a new goal to reduce the non-permanent resident share to below 5% by 2027 (instead of 2026). Her view is that targets like this were likely built using projections like these. 

She adds that provinces may offer more options in 2026 through PNP, and there may also be new temporary-to-permanent pathways. But those changes likely won’t help many people whose permits expire in Q1 2026, because the timelines are too tight. Her overall takeaway – even though it’s a tough one – is that most people in this expiry wave may need to leave Canada. 

What You Should Do Next 

This is one of those moments where the numbers speak for themselves. If your work permit expires in early 2026, start planning now, not at the last minute. Check your expiry date, gather key documents early, and make sure you understand what you’re eligible for. 

Don’t assume your only option is a basic extension. Depending on your situation, you may need to look at Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), an LMIA-based permit, an LMIA-exempt option, or even International Experience Canada (IEC). If you apply before your permit expires, you may be able to stay under maintained status while you wait. 

And if staying isn’t possible right now, leaving Canada doesn’t always mean the end. Some people leave, keep working on their CRS score (language, experience, education), and apply again through a stronger pathway later. 

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