04/29/2026
⚠️ Your work permit has expired. IRCC has not yet made a decision on your extension. Your employer is asking whether you are still legally authorised to work. What do you do? 🇨🇦
This is the situation maintained status — formerly known as implied status — is designed for. If you submitted a complete extension application before your permit expired, you are generally permitted to remain in Canada and continue working or studying under the same conditions while IRCC processes your application. Your status does not end the moment your permit date passes. It continues until a decision is made.
What you can show your employer is your expired permit together with your acknowledgement of receipt from IRCC confirming your extension application was submitted. That combination confirms your authorisation to work has not lapsed.
If maintained status is lost, you have 90 days to apply for restoration of status. During those 90 days you cannot work or study. Restoration is not automatic and approval is not guaranteed.
