---
title: How do I activate my second-year work permit?
description: Leave and re-enter Canada at a port of entry with your passport, LOI, insurance and $2,500 CAD in funds, and ask to activate a work permit.
---
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# How do I activate my second-year work permit?
## What to bring, what to say at the border, and what to check after.
Most people [activate their work permit at the border](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/iec/prepare-arrival.html) by leaving Canada and re-entering at a land or airport port of entry. You'll show your passport, your LOI, proof of travel medical insurance and proof of support funds.
## What to bring
- Your passport
- Your LOI
- Proof of [travel medical insurance](https://iex-website.s3.amazonaws.com/pdfs/travel-medical-insurance-canada.pdf). Print a copy of your "declaration of insurance" or policy coverage details. Here are some [insurance providers to consider](https://www.interexchange.org/article/working-abroad/travel-medical-insurance-providers/).
- Proof of personal support funds equal to $2,500 CAD, usually shown in your banking app or on a recently printed statement
Keep the [SWAP handbook](https://iex-website.s3.amazonaws.com/pdfs/2026-Canada-Pre-Departure-Guide.pdf) handy for their contact information. Even if you haven't worked with SWAP much, we still recommend their orientation. Second-year participants benefit from it too.
## At the border
**What to say:** Tell the CBSA officer you'd like to activate a work permit and show your Letter of Introduction. Don't say "renew" or "extend." Those words refer to different processes that don't apply to you. The officer may ask follow-up questions and ask for documents.
**Choosing a crossing:** All border points should operate 24/7. Check wait times and information for your crossing on the [CBSA website](https://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/gbi-rgf-eng.html), and consider avoiding the [busiest ports of entry](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/bwt-taf/menu-eng.html) at busy times. We highly recommend you don't use any of the 3 Niagara area border points.
**If you're flagpoling:** Flagpoling means leaving Canada briefly just to re-enter and activate your work permit. There's a lot of rumor and fear around it, but US citizens are exempt from flagpoling restrictions, according to the [Government of Canada](https://www.canada.ca/en/border-services-agency/news/2024/12/ending-flagpoling-for-work-and-study-permits-at-the-border.html). You may still want to leave Canada for 24 hours to avoid issues with CBSA.
**Check your permit before you leave the border.** Don't leave without checking it. The expiry date should be one year from the date you entered Canada and activated the permit, not the date on your LOI.
## Already in Canada?
For 2026, if you have a current permit and you're in Canada, you may be able to activate your second permit from within Canada. We strongly recommend the in-person process, but contact us if you'd like to talk through this option.
## After you activate
Go to a Service Canada office to reactivate your SIN. Your number stays the same, but it needs a new expiry date that matches your new work permit. [Find a Service Canada office](https://offices.service.canada.ca/en/Search) near you.
SWAP will be your best source of support, but we're here if you have questions. To reach us, contact us at workabroad@interexchange.org or (800) 597-3675.
- [General](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/general?hsLang=en-us#main-content)
- [Program Basics](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/general?hsLang=en-us#program-basics)
- [Work & Travel Canada](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#main-content)
- [After You Apply](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#after-you-apply)
- [Costs & Payment](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#costs-payment)
- [Second Year & Young Professional](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#second-year-young-professional)
- [Arriving in Canada](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#arriving-in-canada)
- [Getting Started](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#getting-started)
- [Applying](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#applying)
- [Living & Working in Canada](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#living-working-in-canada)
- [American Summer Exchange](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/american-summer-exchange?hsLang=en-us#main-content)
- [Program Basics](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/american-summer-exchange?hsLang=en-us#program-basics)
- [Germany](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/germany?hsLang=en-us#main-content)
- [Program Basics](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/germany?hsLang=en-us#program-basics)
- [Work & Travel Australia](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-australia?hsLang=en-us#main-content)
- [Visa](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-australia?hsLang=en-us#visa)
- [Program Basics](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-australia?hsLang=en-us#program-basics)
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