About maintained status
If you’ve submitted an immigration application for a study permit, work permit, or Visitor Record through the inside Canada process before your current study permit becomes invalid or work permit/visitor status expires, you may still be able to stay, study, and/or work in Canada during this time under ‘maintained status’ (formerly ‘implied status’) while your application is being processed. Check your situation below for details.
It is very important that you submit your application online before 11:59 pm Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), not midnight your local time, the day your study permit becomes invalid or work permit/visitor status expires to have maintained status.
Also note that you only have maintained status if you apply through the inside Canada process. Study permit and work permit applications have different processes and forms depending on if you apply through the inside or outside Canada process. If you apply online through the outside Canada process while you are inside Canada, you would not have maintained status. For example, a study permit extension would be an inside Canada application which would give you maintained status, however the outside Canada study permit application would not give you maintained status in Canada. If you are inside Canada and applied through the outside Canada process, contact International Student Advising for support.
There are two different components of maintained status:
- The ability to stay in Canada as a temporary resident when your application is being processed while you are on maintained status
- Whether you are allowed to study and/or work while you are on maintained status
This could happen when you are:
- Extending the same status
If you are extending your immigration status AND have submitted your application before your study permit becomes invalid or work permit/visitor status expires (for example, you have a UBC study permit and apply to extend your UBC study permit before it becomes invalid) - Changing your status
If you hold valid status in Canada, AND are applying for a different type of status before your study permit becomes invalid or work permit/visitor status expires (for example, you have a study permit and apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit)
If you’re extending the same status
You usually have maintained status if:
- You are extending your same immigration status AND
- Submitted your application before your study permit becomes invalid or your work permit/visitor status expires
If you are continuing studies at UBC
If you applied for your current study permit with a UBC Letter of Admission or Enrolment or you transferred to UBC before Nov 8, 2024, and you apply to extend your study permit through the inside Canada process to continue studies at UBC before your study permit becomes invalid, you can continue to study at UBC and work (if eligible) under the same conditions while on maintained status, so long as you remain in Canada. This also applies if you are changing your level of study, such as moving from an undergraduate degree at UBC to a master’s degree at UBC.
If you leave Canada after your study permit becomes invalid, you will not be able to continue studying or working after returning to Canada and will need to wait to receive your study permit before resuming studies and work (if eligible).
For example, if you are a current UBC student with a UBC study permit and apply for your study permit extension on March 4, 2026, with a UBC Letter of Enrolment, then your study permit expires on July 31, 2026, you would have maintained status as of August 1, 2026, and could continue studying at UBC and working under the same conditions while IRCC processes your application. If you travel and return to Canada after August 1, 2026, you would not be able to study and/or work until your application is processed.
If you are transferring to UBC or transferring from UBC to another institution
As of Nov 8, 2024, you must be enrolled at the Designated Learning Institution (DLI) named on your study permit. If you change institutions after Nov 8 2024, you must apply for a study permit extension for your new institution, and most students need to receive the new study permit before beginning studies at your new institution.
If you are coming to UBC from a Canadian high school or from another post-secondary institution, be sure to apply for a study permit extension with your UBC Letter of Admission and PAL as soon as you receive them.
You might need to apply for a Visitor Record in addition to a study permit extension for UBC. Learn more about gaps in studies.
Contact International Student Advising for support.
If you are extending your PGWP
If you are extending your PGWP due to passport expiry, be sure to apply well before your PGWP expires. As long as you apply before your PGWP expires and do not leave Canada after your PGWP expires, you can continue to work under the same conditions while waiting for your application to be processed on maintained status.
If you apply after your study permit becomes invalid or work permit/visitor status expires
If you do not apply to extend your stay before your study permit becomes invalid or your work permit/visitor status in Canada expires, you must stop studying and working immediately (if you were eligible) and apply to restore your status, if you meet the requirements. Contact International Student Advising for support.
Leaving Canada with maintained status
If you leave Canada while on maintained status, you may re-enter as long as you meet one of the following:
- You have a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)
- You are from a TRV-exempt country with a valid Electronic Travel Authorization
- You are a US citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the US
- You are TRV exempt: you’re from a TRV-required country, have maintained status and are seeking re-entry to Canada following a visit only to the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon (TRV exemption under R190(3)(f))
It is strongly recommended that when re-entering Canada at the port of entry (border or airport), you show proof of your extension application. This can be a copy of your application, copy of the fee payment receipt, copy of the letter of confirmation sent by IRCC, etc.
Check travelling outside Canada then contact International Student Advising for support if you have travel plans while on maintained status.
If you’re changing status
If you apply to change your immigration status before your current status expires, you can remain in Canada as a temporary resident until you receive a decision, but you cannot start your new activity (studying or working) until you have received your study or work permit.
Changing from a study permit to a Post-Graduation Work Permit
If you meet certain criteria, you may immediately begin working full-time while you are waiting for a decision on your PGWP. Furthermore, if you leave and re-enter Canada, you do not lose the ability to work, even if your study permit has expired.
Changing from a work permit or visitor status to a study permit
If you are on a work permit or are eligible to apply inside Canada as a visitor then apply for a study permit with a UBC Letter of Admission through the inside Canada process, you can stay in Canada while your application is in progress, but you cannot start studying at UBC until you receive your UBC study permit.
If you have a work permit, you must stop working based on that work permit when it expires, or earlier depending on the type of work permit and conditions.
Medical Services Plan (MSP)
Your BC MSP will usually end on the same date as your immigration document, such as your study or work permit.
After you get your new study or work permit you’ll need to reapply for or extend your MSP based on your study or work permit.
Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Your SIN will usually expire on the same date as your immigration document, such as your study or work permit.
If you have maintained status, you may continue working with your expired SIN until you receive an answer from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). You can show your employer proof of your maintained status (for example, an IRCC application payment receipt or letter confirming the submission of an application for extension, available within your MyCIC account). You can also send them employer information.
After you receive your new extended study or work permit, extend your SIN.
Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)
If you have a TRV, it will usually expire on the same date as your immigration document, such as your study or work permit.
Once your TRV expires, there is no temporary extension while on maintained status and you cannot use it to travel to Canada after it has expired.
After your study or work permit application is approved, you can apply for a TRV.
If you have travel plans while on maintained status, contact International Student Advising to discuss your options.
International Student Guide
Find everything you need to know about life as an international student at UBC’s Vancouver campus.
The information on this page may change
The immigration information on this page has been reviewed and endorsed by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) in compliance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations. However, this is not a legal document and information may change without notice. Always refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the most up-to-date information.