How long can you work on maintained status?

If you qualify for continued work authorization, you can generally keep working under your original permit conditions until IRCC decides your eligible application, provided you remain in Canada and meet the applicable requirements.

Can my employer fire me because my work permit expired?

An expired permit does not automatically mean you have lost legal authorization to work. If you qualify, you can provide supporting IRCC documentation, but employment rights and obligations depend on the circumstances and applicable law.

Can you change jobs while on maintained status?

Open work permit holders can generally change employers, subject to existing restrictions. Employer-specific permit holders generally cannot switch employers without a new permit or separate authorization from IRCC.

Work Permit Expired in Canada? Can You Still Work on Maintained Status?

Key Takeaways

Eligible workers who apply to extend a work permit before it expires may generally keep working under their original conditions while remaining in Canada.
Employer-specific permit holders generally cannot begin work for a new employer until a new permit is approved or IRCC separately authorizes the change.
A pending permanent residence application does not automatically extend work authorization; leaving Canada can also prevent resuming work on maintained status.

Your work permit expired yesterday. Your employer says you cannot return to work tomorrow. But your extension application is still processing.

Are you actually required to stop working?

Not necessarily. Canadian immigration rules may allow you to continue working legally even after the expiry date printed on your permit.

The answer depends on when you applied, what type of application you submitted and whether you still meet the conditions of your original work permit.

What Is Maintained Status in Canada?

Maintained status allows eligible temporary residents who apply to extend or change their authorized stay before their status expires to remain in Canada while Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) processes their application.

But there is an important distinction: permission to remain in Canada does not always mean permission to work.

For example, someone who applies to extend an eligible work permit before expiry may continue working under their original conditions. Someone who applies only to become a visitor generally must stop working when their existing work permit expires.

Can You Keep Working After Your Work Permit Expires?

Your situation determines whether you can continue working.

Your situation	Can you keep working?
Eligible work permit extension submitted before expiry	Generally yes, under existing conditions while remaining in Canada
Employer-specific permit holder applies to change employers before expiry	Generally only for the original employer unless separately authorized
Open work permit holder submits an eligible extension before expiry	Generally yes, subject to existing restrictions
Applied only for visitor status	No, once the work permit expires
Applied only for a study permit	No, under the expired work permit
Submitted only a permanent residence application	No automatic work authorization
Applied after work permit expiry	Generally no; restoration may be available

Important: Simply submitting an application does not guarantee continued work authorization. The application must meet the applicable requirements, and certain permit categories have special rules.

What Work Conditions Must You Follow?

Maintained status does not automatically expand your employment rights.

If you have an employer-specific work permit, you generally must continue working for the same employer, in the same job and at the same work location.

If you have an open work permit, you can generally change employers or jobs while maintaining your existing work authorization, subject to any restrictions.

Example: You work for Employer A and apply for a permit to join Employer B before your current permit expires.

Even if you qualify for maintained status, you generally cannot start working for Employer B until your new permit is approved or IRCC separately authorizes you to change employers.

How Can You Prove to Your Employer That You Can Work?

An expired work permit can create confusion for employers, particularly HR and payroll teams.

If you applied online for an eligible work permit extension, IRCC generally issues a letter called WP-EXT except PGWP through your online account.

You can show this letter alongside your existing work permit as evidence of continued work authorization.

Not everyone receives this letter. For example, PGWP applications have different documentation rules, and paper applicants do not receive the same online extension letter.

If you applied on paper, supporting evidence may include:

A copy of your submitted application
Proof of payment
Postal or courier tracking information

What if the date on your extension letter has passed?

IRCC confirms that eligible workers can continue working under their original conditions beyond the letter's stated date if their qualifying application is still pending.

The date on the letter does not necessarily end your work authorization.

Can You Work With an Expired SIN?

Yes, provided you remain legally authorized to work.

If your work permit expires while you qualify for maintained status and continued work authorization, you can generally keep working using your existing Social Insurance Number (SIN).

You normally cannot update your SIN expiry date until your new work permit is issued.

An expired SIN does not independently grant permission to work. Your immigration authorization remains the deciding factor.

What Happens If You Leave Canada?

This is one of the most important risks for workers on maintained status.

If you leave Canada after your work permit expires while relying on maintained status, you generally cannot resume working upon returning until your new work permit is approved.

Even if border officials allow you to re-enter Canada, that does not automatically restore your permission to work.

Before booking international travel, check how leaving Canada could affect your employment authorization.

What If Your Extension Is Refused or You Applied Late?

If you submitted your application after your work permit expired, you generally cannot continue working under maintained status.

If IRCC refuses your pending extension, your authorization to work under that application ends when the refusal decision is made.

Some applicants may qualify to restore their temporary resident status, generally within 90 days of losing it.

However, restoration is not automatic, and applicants normally cannot work while waiting for restoration and a new work permit to be approved.

Certain public policies and immigration categories may have different requirements.

Does a Pending PR Application Let You Continue Working?

No. Applying for permanent residence does not automatically extend your work permit.

Some applicants may qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP), depending on their immigration program, application stage and eligibility.

This becomes especially important for international graduates whose Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) are approaching expiry.

A PGWP generally cannot be renewed simply because permanent residence is still processing. However, some graduates may qualify for another work permit pathway.

For a detailed breakdown, read our guide: PGWP Expiring Before PR? Work Permit Options Explained.

If you are pursuing permanent residence through Express Entry, changes to CRS points and job-offer rules can also affect your immigration strategy. Explore our related coverage: Express Entry CRS Changes 2026: New Points and LMIA Rules.

Before Your Next Shift: Check These Five Things

Application timing: Did IRCC receive your eligible application before your permit expired?
Application type: Does your application allow continued work authorization?
Location: Have you remained in Canada while relying on maintained status?
Work conditions: Are you following the restrictions of your original permit?
Application decision: Is your qualifying application still pending?

The Bottom Line

An expired work permit does not always mean your right to work in Canada has ended.

For eligible workers who applied before expiry, maintained status can provide continued work authorization while IRCC processes their application.

But applying late, changing employers without authorization, travelling outside Canada or relying only on a permanent residence application can change the outcome.

Before stopping work unnecessarily—or continuing without authorization—confirm the rules that apply to your specific situation.

Disclaimer: This article provides general immigration information and is not legal advice. Individual eligibility depends on immigration status, application type and applicable IRCC rules. Consult a licensed Canadian immigration professional when your situation is unclear.