Help CenterWhat is Maintained Status?
If you would like to continue working at your camp after your work permit expires, you must apply for an online work permit extension before your work permit expires. If you successfully submit your online application to IRCC before your expiry date, then you are legally allowed to stay in Canada and continue to work under the same conditions as your original work permit while the IRCC processes your application. This is called, “maintained status.”
You can also benefit from "maintained status" if you would like to extend your stay in Canada as a visitor, as long as you apply with the Government of Canada to change your status from a worker to a visitor before your temporary resident status expires.
Can I leave Canada while I have maintained my status?
Please be advised that if your application is still being processed by IRCC and you choose to leave Canada for any reason, even just for a few days (i.e. a holiday in the States or a family member’s wedding back home), then you will lose your maintained status. You must remain in Canada during the processing of your application.