Question 1

When should I start the process of extending my work permit?

Accepted Answer

We recommend beginning the extension process at least 3 to 4 months before your current permit expires. This gives sufficient time for your employer to prepare any required documents (including an updated LMIA if applicable), for us to prepare and review the application, and for the application to be filed well before the expiry date to ensure your maintained status protection is activated if needed. Waiting until the final weeks before expiry is the single most common mistake work permit holders make.

Question 2

What is maintained status and how does it protect me?

Accepted Answer

Maintained status (previously called "implied status") is a provision under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR s.186(u) and 183(5)) that allows a temporary resident to continue living and working in Canada under the same conditions as their most recent authorization while a new application is pending — provided that application was filed before the original permit expired. During maintained status, you are legally authorized to work. However, maintained status does not appear on a document — your employer may need a formal written confirmation of your status, which we provide as part of our service.

Question 3

Can I change employers while my extension is pending?

Accepted Answer

This depends entirely on the type of work permit you hold. If you have an open work permit (including a PGWP, spousal open work permit, or BOWP), you can change employers freely. If you hold an employer-specific (closed) work permit, you are legally restricted to working for the employer named on your permit, even during the maintained status period, unless and until a new employer-specific permit is issued or you obtain an open work permit. Changing employers during an extension for a closed permit without proper authorization is a status violation.

Question 4

My PGWP is expiring — what are my options?

Accepted Answer

A Post-Graduate Work Permit cannot be extended once issued. Your options depend on where you are in the permanent residence process. If you have an active Express Entry profile or a pending PR application with at least 6 months remaining on your PGWP, you may be eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) that allows you to continue working while your PR is processed. If you do not yet have a PR application submitted, you may be eligible for a spousal open work permit (if applicable), a new employer-specific work permit, or — in some cases — a flagpole renewal. We assess all available options and recommend the pathway that best protects your continuity of status.

Question 5

What is a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)?

Accepted Answer

A BOWP is an open work permit issued to foreign nationals who hold a valid work permit, have applied for permanent residence through a federal economic class program, and meet specific eligibility criteria. It allows you to work for any Canadian employer while IRCC processes your PR application. BOWP eligibility requires: a valid, unexpired work permit at time of application; a submitted and acknowledged PR application under a qualifying stream; and continued eligibility for the underlying PR program. The BOWP is filed concurrently with — or after — your PR application and typically requires 2 to 4 months to process, which is why filing before your existing permit expires is critical.

Question 6

What happens if I accidentally let my status expire?

Accepted Answer

Working or remaining in Canada without valid status is a serious violation. If your status has already lapsed, you should stop working immediately and seek legal advice before taking any further steps. Depending on how long you have been out of status, options may include restoration of status (available within 90 days of the expiry of your most recent authorization), departure and reapplication from outside Canada, or — in some cases — filing a BOWP if you have a pending PR application. Every situation is different. We assess your specific timeline and history to determine the least damaging corrective path.

Question 7

Can I travel outside Canada while my extension is pending?

Accepted Answer

This is one of the most frequently misunderstood aspects of maintained status. Maintained status does not protect you if you leave Canada. If you depart Canada while an extension is pending and your original permit has expired, you lose your maintained status and cannot re-enter on the expired permit. If you have a valid work permit and a pending extension, you may travel — but your re-entry is subject to a border officer's discretion and you will need to demonstrate your authorization to return. We provide specific travel guidance for every client with a pending application before any international travel.

Question 8

What LMIA-exempt categories are most commonly used in Ontario?

Accepted Answer

The most commonly used LMIA exemption categories in Ontario are: C12 (Intracompany Transferees) — for multinational employees in specialized knowledge or senior management roles; C10 (Significant Benefit — Reciprocal Employment) — used for International Experience Canada (IEC) participants; T13 (Significant Social, Cultural, or Economic Benefit) — for recognized international performers, researchers, and religious workers; and A25 (Canadian Interests — Charitable or Religious Work). Each exemption requires specific documentation and must be justified in the application. An incorrect exemption code is an automatic refusal, which is why stream selection is a critical part of every application we prepare.

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Changing Your Status: Strategic Transitions

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