Time is Ticking: Should You Leave Canada If Your Temporary Status Is About to Expire?

Jan 10, 2025

Canada, with its diverse landscape and welcoming spirit, has become a beacon for individuals seeking new opportunities and experiences. Many arrive on temporary permits, eager to study, work, or explore this vast country. However, as the expiry date of these permits looms, a crucial question arises: what comes next?


This year and next, a significant wave of temporary residents will find themselves at this crossroads. Whether you're an international student approaching graduation, a worker on a temporary work permit, or someone residing under a temporary resident permit, the impending expiry date can trigger uncertainty and anxiety. The Canadian immigration landscape, already intricate, is undergoing continuous shifts, making proactive planning and informed decision-making more critical than ever.


This article serves as a compass for those navigating this complex terrain. We'll delve into the importance of seeking expert guidance, explore the diverse pathways available for extending your stay, and shed light on the often-overlooked benefits of a strategic return home.


Let’s break this down into two main questions:


  1. What are your options to stay in Canada?


  2. When is leaving Canada the better choice?


Exploring Options to Stay in Canada


If you wish to remain in Canada, it’s crucial to act early and strategically. The earlier you consult with a competent immigration professional, the more time you’ll have to explore your options. These options generally fall into two categories: personal immigration pathways and business immigration pathways.


Personal Immigration Pathways


For individuals looking to extend their stay in Canada, several personal immigration options are worth exploring:


1. Extending Your Current Work Permit


If your current work permit is renewable, this can be a straightforward way to maintain your status. For example, employer-specific work permits might be extended if your employer remains compliant with program requirements. However, it’s important to check eligibility criteria specific to your work permit type. Your options might include the following:


  • Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA): If your current employer is willing to support you, they may be able to apply for an LMIA to prove that hiring a foreign worker won’t negatively impact the Canadian labor market.


  • LMIA-Exempt Work Permits: If you qualify, you may apply for a permit under LMIA-exempt categories, such as Francophone Mobility, or other programs under the International Mobility Program (IMP).



  • Temporary Public Policies: There may be specific temporary public policies that you can take advantage of depending on your nationality or unique circumstances. For example, Iranian citizens affected by unrest can benefit from the Special Measures for Iranian Nationals policy, offering options for work permit extensions and other immigration pathways​.


2. Pursuing Further Education


For those with academic aspirations, enrolling in a higher education program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) can pave the way for a study permit. This permit not only allows you to legally reside in Canada while pursuing your studies but also potentially opens doors to a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) upon graduation (if you have not obtained one already). A PGWP provides invaluable Canadian work experience, often a crucial stepping stone towards permanent residency. In addition, this strategy can help you strengthen your PR profile by adding Canadian education credentials.


3. Converting to a Visitor Visa


If you’re not eligible for a work permit extension or other temporary resident pathways, switching to a Visitor Record might be your only option. This will allow you to legally stay in Canada, but you’ll lose the right to work. While transitioning to visitor status might give you more time to explore your options, it’s important to remember that you’ll lose access to essential benefits like the ability to work and potentially healthcare coverage.


4. Applying for Permanent Residency (PR)


If you’re eligible, PR pathways offer a long-term solution. However, these options require careful planning and an accurate understanding of eligibility criteria.


  • Express Entry: The Express Entry system remains a popular pathway for many. However, with the CRS scores consistently above 500 and limited draws, especially for Federal Skilled Workers (FSW) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC), it is increasingly difficult to secure an ITA. However, if you are eligible for category-based draws, it may be an option to fast-track your permanent residency if you have work experience in certain priority categories such as healthcare, STEM, or trades. These category-based draws can help you secure an Invitation to Apply (ITA) with a lower CRS score requirement, speeding up your path to PR and easing your immigration-related anxiety, just like our French-speaking client, for whom we recently shared a success story.

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  • Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Each province has its own streams under PNP that may cater to individuals in specific industries or with certain qualifications. If you meet the criteria, a provincial nomination can give you an edge in the Express Entry pool by adding 600 points to your CRS score OR it can provide you an opportunity to submit a non-express entry permanent residency application.



  • Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) Grounds: If you face exceptional circumstances, you may apply for PR on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. These applications are designed for individuals who may not meet the criteria for other streams but have compelling reasons to remain in Canada.


A professional eligibility assessment can help identify which pathways you qualify for and develop a plan to maximize your chances of success.


Business Immigration Pathways


If you currently hold an open work permit and are exploring entrepreneurship, several business immigration pathways could enable you to establish your business in Canada while securing your long-term stay. These options not only support business development but may also pave the way to permanent residency:


  • Federal Self-Employed Program: Designed for individuals with experience in cultural or athletic activities, this program allows you to contribute to Canada’s economy as a self-employed professional. It offers the possibility of obtaining a closed work permit, which can significantly boost your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score through arranged employment points.


Important Note: Starting in Spring 2025, the temporary removal of arranged employment points for those with job offers will come into effect. The duration of this policy is currently unknown. However, obtaining a closed work permit through the Federal Self-Employed Program, designed for entrepreneurs, can provide you with additional time to extend your temporary status in Canada. Once the policy is lifted, you may be eligible to claim arranged employment points, adding 50 or 200 to your CRS score and improving your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).


  • Provincial Entrepreneur Streams: Many provinces offer entrepreneur-focused immigration pathways through their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), such as New Brunswick’s or British Columbia's Business Immigration stream. These programs enable you to start or operate a business within the province and often lead to permanent residency through provincial nomination.


These pathways can either provide direct access to permanent residency (as with some PNPs) or allow you to transition to a closed work permit. A closed work permit enhances your Express Entry profile by adding arranged employment points, increasing your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).


The Time-Sensitive Nature of Immigration


Securing a new status before your current one expires is paramount. Failing to do so can lead to a precarious situation, jeopardizing your legal standing in Canada and potentially impacting future applications. It can even lead to removal orders, making it challenging to return to Canada in the future.


With the Canadian immigration landscape undergoing constant evolution, gaining time now provides flexibility and enhances your chances of achieving your long-term immigration goals. Proactive planning is your strongest ally.


The Strategic Retreat: When Leaving is the Wisest Move


While Canada offers a multitude of pathways to extend your stay, it's crucial to acknowledge that these options might not always be feasible or align with your individual circumstances. A comprehensive assessment might reveal that no immediate, straightforward solution exists for you to remain in Canada, or the financial commitment required for certain programs might be prohibitive.


In such scenarios, returning home, while seemingly a step back, can be a strategic maneuver with significant long-term benefits:


1. Enhancing Your Foreign Work Experience


  • Gaining work experience in your home country (or another country) can significantly boost your CRS score for Express Entry. For example, if you only had a year of foreign experience, increasing this to 2 or 3 can boost your score for Express Entry pathways. 


  • Foreign work experience is particularly valuable when combined with Canadian experience, as it strengthens your overall profile.


2. Saving Money and Reducing Expenses


  • Staying in Canada without a clear pathway forward can be financially draining. By returning home, you can reduce your living expenses while actively planning your next steps.


  • Saving money now can help you invest in future opportunities in Canada, such as additional education, business ventures, or obtaining a property, etc.


3. Applying for PR from Abroad


  • Even if you leave Canada, you remain eligible to apply for PR through programs like Federal Skilled Worker class through Express Entry.


  • If you’ve accumulated Canadian work experience, you may still qualify for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), provided your work experience falls within the eligibility timeframe.


  • You can also secure a position in a prioritized occupation or position under the Express Entry’s Category-Based draws, which could significantly enhance your profile. Once you secure one of these positions in any other country and work for six months, you’ll be eligible for these draws. 


4. Strengthening Your Immigration Credibility


  • Leaving Canada before your permit expires demonstrates compliance with immigration laws, which is critical for future applications.


  • Canadian immigration authorities value applicants who follow regulations and maintain legal status. Voluntarily leaving the country strengthens your credibility, which can be leveraged in future applications.


Planning for a Stronger Return to Canada


If you decide to leave Canada, it’s important to use this time strategically to prepare for your return. Here are some ways to make the most of your time abroad:


1. Focus on Career Growth


  • Use this period to gain skills, certifications, or work experience in high-demand occupations.

  • Strengthening your language abilities can make you a more competitive candidate for PR or other immigration pathways.


2. Build Financial Stability


  • Save money while abroad to fund future immigration plans, including settlement funds, application fees, or business investments.


3. Stay Informed About Immigration Policies


  • Keep track of changes in Canadian immigration programs, as new opportunities may arise. For example, updates to PNPs or category-based Express Entry draws could create new pathways.



The decision to leave Canada, even temporarily, can be emotionally challenging. However, it's crucial to view it through the lens of long-term strategy. Returning home allows you to regroup, gain valuable foreign experience, strengthen your profile, and ultimately return to Canada better equipped for success.


Seeking professional guidance is paramount in this decision-making process. An immigration lawyer can provide an objective assessment of your options, weigh the pros and cons of each pathway, and help you make the choice that best aligns with your individual goals and circumstances.


Whether your path leads to extending your stay in Canada or strategically returning home, the key lies in proactive planning. Don't wait until the eleventh hour. The sooner you begin exploring your options and seeking expert advice, the more empowered you'll be to navigate the complexities of Canadian immigration and achieve your dreams, whether that means securing your place in Canada now or strategically positioning yourself for a successful return in the future.


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About the Author


I’m Ahmet Faruk Ocak, a Canadian immigration lawyer and the founder of Blacksy Immigration Law Firm 🌊. 


At Blacksy, we specialize in providing honest, straightforward, and tailored immigration solutions to individuals and businesses worldwide. Our brand promise is simple: no unnecessary fuss, no false hopes, and no empty promises—just realistic, reliable guidance to help you achieve your immigration goals.


Whether you’re expanding your business to Canada, transferring top talent, or planning your future here, we’re here to guide you with precision, transparency, and care.


Visit us at www.blacksyimmigration.com to learn more or to start your journey.