Hi,

I am currently 3 months into a PR application living in Canada. Next month my visitor status will expire. I am not on any kind of temp visa, just here as a visitor from the UK (UK citizen) and was given permission to stay here on arrival until 6th May. I have applied for an Open Work Permit (which I have not yet received) and I will almost certainly not receive my PR before next month. From some research I think that I may have 'maintained status' because i have applied for the OWP meaning I am allowed to remain past the date of expiry of my current status until I receive a Yes/No on the work permit, is this correct? Has anybody else been in this situation who can help please? Or do I need to apply somewhere to stay longer as a visitor?

Many thanks

(Below, what I have read on IRCC website)


"Yes, you can stay in Canada until we make a decision on your new work permit application. This is called maintained status. You may also be authorized to work until we make a decision on your application"

Fantastic, what a relief! Thank you very much

Sorry, but this person wasn’t genuine and didn’t have a clue! The bit you’ve quoted is for those who are on work permits, not visitors. I’ll dig in to the regs tomorrow and try and find you a proper answer.

If you have valid visitor status and have submitted a spousal application (in Canada Class) and then you submit a Work Permit application because you're eligible based on the spousal/AOR you will benefit from Maintained Status as long as the WP application is submitted while your visitor status is still valid. But it's safer to also submit a Visitor Extension to cover all bases.

Thank for for reply, Yep, open work permit was applied for 2 months ago and my visitor status is still valid... and received AOR etc before applying for OWP

Thank you, I appreciate it

Any luck christmasoompa? I'm wondering should I just try to extend my visitors status to be safe, though i am reading in a few places that I should be covered because I applied for the work permit while still on valid visitors status? Thanks again

Sorry, had a manic weekend. Personally I'd extend your visitor status as well just to be on the safe side, although I agree with Snowy.