Waiting for Your Study Permit Extension to Apply for a PGWP? Here’s What IRCC’s New Rules on Maintained Status Mean for You
(3-4 min estimated read time)
On May 28, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced a major change to how maintained status works for temporary residents in Canada. If you are an international student approaching graduation, this update can directly impact your ability to stay in Canada, apply for your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), and continue working legally.
At Northia, we know timing is everything. Here’s what you need to know.
What is maintained status?
Maintained status (previously called implied status) allows you to legally remain in Canada under the same conditions of your original permit if you apply for an extension before it expires.
This means:
- Students may continue studying
- Workers may continue working
- Visitors may remain as visitors
as long as the application was submitted on time and you stay inside Canada.
But with the new update, things have changed—especially for those who file more than one application.
What Has Changed?
Under the old rules, if you applied to extend your permit and – while waiting – you submitted a second application before your original permit expired, you could legally remain in Canada until IRCC made a decision on the second application. Even if the first application was refused, the second one continued as long as it was submitted before your status expired.
The new rules change this significantly.
Under the new IRCC rules (effective May 28, 2025):
- If your first application is refused, and your second application was submitted after your original permit expired, your second application will also be refused, and you lose maintained status.
- If you lose maintained status, you no longer have permission to work or study.
- You may only be able to apply for restoration, and only if you meet eligibility rules and are within the 90-day restoration window.
What remains the same
- If your first application is refused but your second application was submitted before your permit expired, you may still have maintained status while the second application is processed.
The key factor now is timing.
Why This Matters for Graduating Students
If your study permit is expiring close to your graduation date and you are preparing to apply for the PGWP, this rule change affects you in several ways:
1. Your first application must be complete and strong
If your study permit extension is incomplete, inaccurate, or missing documents, a refusal now has more consequences. A refused first application can automatically jeopardize your PGWP application if it was submitted after your study permit expired.
2. If you lose status, you cannot work
If a refusal results in loss of status:
- You must immediately stop working
- You cannot resume work until your status is restored or a new permit is approved
- You risk delays that interrupt your career plans. For many graduates, this can disrupt job offers or full-time positions already secured.
3. Restoration is not guaranteed
Restoration is only possible if:
- You apply within 90 days, and
- You still meet all eligibility requirements
It is not automatic, and processing times may be long.
Old Rules vs. New Rules at a Glance
| Scenario | Before May 28, 2025 | After May 28, 2025 |
| First application refused; second submitted before permit expiry | Could remain in Canada under maintained status while waiting for the second decision | Still allowed under maintained status |
| First application refused; second submitted after permit expiry | Could remain in Canada but might lose ability to work or study | Second application automatically refused; you lose maintained status |
| Out of status after refusal | Could sometimes rely on second application to remain in Canada | Must apply for restoration (if eligible) or leave Canada |
What This Means for Your PGWP Application
If your study permit expires before you graduate—or you wait too long to apply—your PGWP could be at risk.
To protect your ability to work after graduation:
- Apply for your study permit extension well before the expiry date
- Do not rely on a second application to fix issues with the first
- Ensure your graduation timing and study permit validity align
- Prepare your PGWP application early so it is ready as soon as you receive your completion letter
How Northia Helps You Avoid These Risks
At Northia, we support students and graduates across Canada through these exact situations. We help you:
- Plan your timelines so your extension and PGWP applications are filed at the right moments
- Understand your work and study eligibility while waiting under maintained status
- Respond quickly and strategically if IRCC issues a refusal or request for more documents
- Avoid gaps in status that can jeopardize your ability to remain or work in Canada
We know how stressful this transition can be, especially with changing IRCC rules. You don’t need to navigate it alone.
Stay Ahead of the Change
Your first application matters more than ever. A refusal can now immediately disrupt your plans, your employment, and your future in Canada.
If your permit is expiring soon, or if you’re preparing for graduation, this is the time to get professional support.
Book your consultation with Northia today – let’s make sure you stay on track.
