Being fired on a closed work permit does not mean you must leave Canada immediately. You can legally remain in the country until your permit officially expires, and you may even qualify for Employment Insurance (EI), but you must secure a new LMIA and work permit before starting a new job.
Losing your job is always a highly stressful experience, but being fired on a closed work permit in Canada can feel completely overwhelming and financially terrifying. 💔 Many foreign workers wrongly believe that if their employment ends suddenly, their visa is instantly cancelled and they will be aggressively deported the next day. Fortunately, Canadian immigration law strictly protects your temporary resident status, meaning your current visa remains officially valid until the exact expiration date printed on the physical document. You have time to breathe and plan your next steps carefully.
If you find yourself navigating this tough situation in places like Winnipeg, Manitoba, it is incredibly important to know your exact legal rights. 🔍 You have the exact same labour rights as Canadian citizens, which includes the right to receive proper severance pay and the ability to apply for government support like Employment Insurance (EI). However, because you are specifically tied to a single employer, the path forward requires careful administrative steps. Let us explore exactly how you can legally protect your status, handle your temporary finances, and safely transition to a brand new career opportunity.
Step-by-Step Process in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Step 1: Request Your Record of Employment (ROE)
When your job officially ends, your boss is legally required to issue a Record of Employment (ROE) within a few days. 📄 This vital document details exactly how many insurable hours you worked and the official reason for your termination. If your employer aggressively refuses to provide it, you can physically visit or contact the local Service Canada Centre, such as the Portage Place office located at Ground Floor, Unit 122, 393 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 3H6, for direct government intervention and assistance.
Step 2: Apply for Employment Insurance (EI)
Many people assume that if you are fired on a closed work permit, you simply cannot get EI. This is generally not true, though it is legally complicated. 💰 Service Canada requires you to prove that you are genuinely available for work. Because you cannot legally work for just anyone, some government agents might initially pause your claim. To overcome this, most experts suggest keeping a meticulous written log of every Canadian company you apply to, proving you are actively trying to secure a new LMIA. If you successfully demonstrate this effort, your regular benefits can temporarily replace a significant portion of your lost income.
Step 3: Secure a New Employer and LMIA
You absolutely cannot start working for a new company on your old visa, not even for a single day. You must actively search for a new employer in Winnipeg, Manitoba, who is willing to formally hire you and apply for a new Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). 🤝 The LMIA is a rigorous process where the business must prove to the government that no Canadian citizen was available to fill the position. Because this costs the company money and takes significant time, you should focus your job search heavily on industries facing severe labour shortages.
Step 4: Apply for a New Work Permit or Visitor Record
Once your new boss safely secures an approved LMIA, you must apply for a brand new closed work permit. 📮 If your current permit is expiring very soon and you have not found a job yet, you should generally apply to change your status to a visitor (Visitor Record) before the expiry date. This keeps your stay strictly legal and prevents you from losing your temporary resident status while you boldly continue your local job hunt.
How Much Does it Cost?
Navigating a sudden job loss means carefully managing your remaining savings. Luckily, accessing your basic labour rights and government support is completely free, but applying for new immigration documents will eventually require standard government fees. 💳
- Employment Insurance (EI) Application: Free of charge.
- New Closed Work Permit Fee: $155 (Usually paid by the applicant).
- Change of Status to Visitor Record: $100 (If you need more time to legally look for a job).
- Restoration of Status Fee: $246.25 (Only required if your visa accidentally expires before you apply; if applying for a new closed work permit at the same time, the combined cost is $401.25 CAD).
- LMIA Processing Fee: $1,000 (This substantial fee must be strictly paid by your new employer, never by you).
How Long Does the Process Take?
Transitioning between jobs as a temporary foreign worker is never a fast process. You should deeply prepare for several weeks or even months of administrative waiting while the government processes your files. ⏳
| Administrative Step | Estimated Timeline in Canada |
|---|---|
| Receiving Your ROE | Generally issued within 5 to 14 days after your final paycheque is cleared. |
| First EI Payment | Usually arrives around 28 days after you submit your complete online application. |
| New LMIA Processing | Generally takes 1 to 3 months depending on the specific provincial job stream. |
| New Work Permit Processing | Usually takes between 80 to 120 days when processed entirely from inside Canada. |
If you were unjustly fired on a closed work permit or denied your rightful severance pay, navigating the legal system alone can be incredibly scary. 🤚 If you are living in Winnipeg, Manitoba or anywhere else in the country, consider reaching out to an experienced Canadian employment or immigration lawyer from our comprehensive directory. They can help you properly protect your maintained status and legally demand the fair compensation you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can my employer deport me if they fire me?
Absolutely not. Only the Canadian government has the legal authority to deport someone. Your employer cannot physically force you onto an airplane, seize your passport, or instantly cancel your current valid visa.
Will I definitely get EI if I am fired on a closed work permit?
It is not automatically guaranteed. Service Canada must rigorously review your case to ensure you have enough insurable hours and that you are genuinely looking for new LMIA-supported work. Providing written proof of your active job search is highly recommended.
Can I work for cash while waiting for my new work permit?
No. Working “under the table” for cash is strictly illegal. If the government discovers you are working without proper formal authorization, you could face an exclusion order, heavy fines, and be permanently banned from re-entering Canada.
Do I get severance pay if I am fired?
Generally, yes. Temporary foreign workers are fully protected by the exact same provincial labour laws as Canadian citizens. If you are terminated without serious cause, you are legally entitled to standard notice or financial severance pay in lieu of notice.
Can I simply apply for an open work permit instead?
Most standard workers cannot simply switch to an open permit. However, if you were maliciously fired after experiencing severe physical, psychological, or financial abuse at your workplace, you may legally qualify for the Vulnerable Worker Open Work Permit.
What happens if my visa expires while I am looking for a job?
If your visa expires before you actively apply for a new permit or a visitor record, you instantly lose your legal status. You will generally have exactly a 90-day grace period to apply for a formal Restoration of Status, which comes with additional government penalties. However, under updated IRCC guidelines effective May 1, 2026, out-of-status workers and students can now apply to restore their status directly as a visitor (obtaining a Visitor Record) from inside Canada without being forced to leave the country.
Leave a Reply