Understanding Maintained Status: What Foreign Workers in Ontario Need to Know About OHIP and SIN Validity

1. What Is Maintained Status?

Under section 183(5) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), a temporary resident who applies to extend or change their work permit before it expires may remain in Canada under the same conditions as their existing permit until IRCC makes a decision.

This continuation of status—previously known as implied status—allows a worker to legally stay and continue working for the same employer while awaiting a decision, provided they do not leave Canada and their application has not been refused.

2. The New IRCC “Work Permit Extension (WP-EXT)” Letter

IRCC now automatically issues a “Work Permit Extension (WP-EXT except PGWP)” letter to most applicants who apply online to extend or change their work permit before it expires.

According to IRCC’s official guidance (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/extend/after-apply.html):

“After you apply online, we’ll send you a letter in your account (WP-EXT except PGWP) that you can use as proof that you’re authorized to keep working, if you’re eligible. You can print this letter or show it with your current work permit. The letter is proof that you’re authorized to keep working under the same conditions as your original work permit until we process your application.”

The WP-EXT letter automatically lists an expiry date 365 days from the date IRCC receives the extension application. This date does not terminate the right to work — it serves only as a dated document to reassure employers, Service Canada, and provincial agencies.

If IRCC has not finalized the application by that date, the worker continues to hold maintained status and remains authorized to work until a decision is made. IRCC confirms that workers and employers may show this webpage itself as ongoing proof of

authorization.

3. OHIP Eligibility During Maintained Status

Ontario’s Ministry of Health recognizes that certain temporary foreign workers may remain eligible for OHIP coverage while on maintained status, provided they continue to meet the program’s employment and residence requirements.

According to the Government of Ontario’s official eligibility policy (https://www.ontario.ca/page/apply-ohip-and-get-health-card#section-2), to qualify you must: - Have not yet been denied an extension of your work permit,

- Be in Ontario on a valid work permit, and

- Be working full-time in Ontario, for an Ontario employer, for at least six months.

A. Proof of Employment

To demonstrate ongoing eligibility while under maintained status, ServiceOntario requires the following documents: - The expired work permit, - The IRCC “Work Permit Extension (WP-EXT)” letter confirming maintained status, and - A current letter from the Ontario employer confirming that the applicant is employed full-time in Ontario for at least six months. The employer letter should clearly state the employee’s position, start date, and expected duration of employment. If the employment period is shorter than six months or unclear, ServiceOntario may delay renewal until the new permit is issued.

B. Continuity and Revalidation

Workers who meet these conditions generally retain OHIP coverage during maintained status. However, once IRCC issues the new work permit, ServiceOntario does not automatically extend coverage.

The worker must return in person to a ServiceOntario centre to present the new permit, confirm continued employment eligibility, and be issued a new OHIP card valid for the full duration of the new work permit. If this step is missed, coverage may lapse at the end of the previous permit’s validity.

Best practice: Bring the expired permit, WP-EXT letter, employer letter, and the new work permit to ServiceOntario as soon as it is issued to ensure continuous health coverage.

4. Social Insurance Number (SIN) Validity

Temporary residents’ SINs begin with “9” and normally expire on the same date as the work permit.

During maintained status, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) accepts the expired work permit together with the WP-EXT letter as proof of ongoing work authorization. Workers may continue to work and pay into EI and CPP. Once the new permit is issued, they must update their SIN record with Service Canada to match the new expiry date.

A SIN cannot be “renewed” during maintained status, but employment income earned in this period remains valid and insurable under the Employment Insurance Act.

5. Key Takeaways

1. Apply early. Submit your extension application before your permit expires to secure maintained status.

2. Keep proof ready. The combination of the expired permit, the WP-EXT letter, and an employer letter confirming six months of full-time employment is essential for OHIP and SIN continuity.

3. Do not leave Canada. Departing the country automatically ends maintained status.

4. Revalidate promptly. After you receive your new work permit, return to ServiceOntario to update your health card and obtain a new OHIP card for the full duration of the permit.

5. Update your SIN. Present your new permit to Service Canada to extend your SIN validity period.

6. Policy Significance

The introduction of the WP-EXT letter and clearer provincial guidance on employment verification have substantially reduced gaps in access to health insurance and employment continuity for temporary foreign workers.

Still, ServiceOntario offices exercise some discretion in interpreting eligibility. Workers and employers should retain comprehensive proof of maintained status and current employment to avoid interruptions in coverage or SIN validity.

Understanding maintained status is more important than ever. As IRCC processing times continue to climb for inland work permit extensions, knowing one’s right to continue working and remaining eligible for OHIP for those workers in Canada and their accompanying dependents.