Navigate Express Entry while on maintained status with confidence
On This Page You Will Find:
- Complete step-by-step instructions for updating your Express Entry profile while on maintained status
- Critical work permit questions and exactly how to answer them to avoid rejection
- Updated 2026 CRS score benchmarks and competition analysis with 236,554 active profiles
- Essential documentation requirements when you receive your Invitation to Apply
- Strategic tips to maximize your chances despite intensified competition
Summary:
If you're navigating Express Entry while on maintained status (formerly implied status), answering profile questions incorrectly could derail your entire application. This comprehensive guide reveals exactly how to complete your profile when your work permit has expired but you've applied for extension, including crucial LMIA considerations and documentation requirements. With Express Entry becoming increasingly competitive in 2026—requiring 535+ CRS points for safety—understanding these nuances while properly representing your legal status could be the difference between success and starting over. Learn the insider strategies immigration professionals use to position clients optimally in today's transformed selection system.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Answer "yes" to work permit questions if you submitted extension applications before expiry and remain in Canada
- Include your original LMIA number even if technically expired when applying under maintained status
- 2026 CRS benchmarks show you need 535+ points to be competitive for Canadian Experience Class draws
- Express Entry profiles expire after 12 months, but you can create new ones with updated qualifications
- Proper documentation and explanation letters are crucial when receiving an ITA under maintained status
Maria Santos stared at her laptop screen, paralyzed by a single question in her Express Entry profile: "Does Maria Santos have a valid work permit for the current job in Canada?" Her work permit had expired three weeks ago, but she'd submitted her extension application two months before the deadline. Was she supposed to answer "yes" or "no"? One wrong click could destroy months of preparation and her dreams of Canadian permanent residence.
If you've found yourself in Maria's situation, you're not alone. Thousands of temporary residents navigate Express Entry while on maintained status each year, and the confusion around profile completion can be overwhelming. The stakes couldn't be higher—with 236,554 active profiles competing in the Express Entry pool as of January 2026, every detail matters.
What Is Maintained Status and Why It Matters for Express Entry
Maintained status represents one of Canada's most misunderstood immigration concepts, yet it's crucial for Express Entry success. Previously called "implied status" until 2021, this provision allows temporary residents to remain in Canada legally while their extension applications are processed.
Here's what you need to understand: if you submitted your work permit extension application before your current permit expired and you haven't left Canada, you maintain legal status even after your permit's expiry date passes. This isn't a loophole—it's an official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) policy designed to prevent gaps in legal status.
For Express Entry candidates, this distinction becomes critical when completing your profile. The system doesn't automatically recognize maintained status, which means you need to answer questions strategically to reflect your actual legal situation, not just the dates on your expired documents.
How to Complete Express Entry Profile Questions Under Maintained Status
The Work Permit Question That Trips Everyone Up
When your Express Entry profile asks, "Does [your name] have a valid work permit for the current job in Canada?" while you're on maintained status, the correct answer is "yes"—even if your physical permit shows an expired date.
This answer reflects your legal reality: you remain authorized to work under the same conditions as your original permit until IRCC processes your extension application. Immigration lawyers consistently advise clients to answer affirmatively in this situation because maintained status preserves all rights and privileges of your original permit.
Sarah Chen, an IT consultant from Vancouver, initially answered "no" to this question because her work permit had expired. Her profile became ineligible for draws, costing her six months before she discovered the error and corrected her response.
Handling LMIA Information Correctly
If your original work permit was supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), you'll face additional questions that require careful consideration:
For the question "Was a positive LMIA issued for the current work permit?"
- Answer: "Yes"
When prompted for the LMIA number:
- Enter: The number from your original LMIA, even if it's technically expired
This approach aligns with IRCC's understanding that maintained status extends all aspects of your original authorization, including the underlying LMIA approval. Your employer doesn't need to obtain a new LMIA simply because you're waiting for permit renewal.
The 2026 Express Entry Landscape: What's Changed
System Transformation and New Realities
Express Entry in 2026 looks dramatically different from previous years. The system has evolved from broad, general draws to highly targeted selections focusing on specific occupations, French language ability, and regional labor market needs.
The most significant change occurred in March 2025 when IRCC eliminated the 50-200 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points previously awarded for arranged employment (job offers). This shift fundamentally altered the competitive landscape, making human capital factors like education, language skills, and age more critical than ever.
Current Competition Analysis
The numbers tell a stark story: with 236,554 active profiles in the pool, competition has intensified significantly. For Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates without Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nominations, the benchmarks have risen substantially:
2026 CRS Score Requirements:
- Competitive Range: 520-534 points
- Safe Territory: 535+ points
- Highly Competitive: 540+ points
However, category-based selection rounds continue providing opportunities for candidates with lower overall scores who possess skills in targeted occupations. Recent draws have selected candidates with scores as low as 388 points in specific categories like healthcare, STEM, and French-language proficiency.
Strategic Implications for Maintained Status Candidates
If you're on maintained status, you're likely accumulating additional Canadian work experience, which directly improves your CRS score. Each additional month of Canadian experience can add points, particularly if it pushes you into a higher experience bracket (one year, two years, three years, etc.).
This timing advantage means maintained status candidates often see their scores improve naturally while waiting for permit renewals—a silver lining to the extended processing times many face.
Documentation Requirements When You Receive an ITA
Essential Documents for Maintained Status Candidates
When you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) while on maintained status, proper documentation becomes crucial for application success. IRCC officers need clear evidence of your legal status and work authorization throughout the process.
Required Documentation Package:
- Copy of your work permit extension application submission confirmation
- Receipt showing application fees were paid
- Letter of explanation detailing your maintained status situation
- Employment letter from your current employer confirming ongoing employment
- Copy of original LMIA (if applicable)
The Letter of Explanation Strategy
Your letter of explanation serves as the bridge between your Express Entry profile responses and your actual documentation. Immigration officers review thousands of applications, so clarity and conciseness are essential.
Key elements to include:
- Clear statement that you're on maintained status
- Timeline showing extension application submitted before expiry
- Confirmation of continuous residence in Canada
- Explanation of continued work authorization
- Reference to relevant IRCC policies supporting maintained status
Upload this letter in the "Optional documents" section of your application, but don't treat it as truly optional—it's essential for maintained status cases.
Profile Management and Timing Strategies
The 12-Month Validity Window
Express Entry profiles remain valid for exactly 12 months from creation. For maintained status candidates, this timeline creates both opportunities and challenges.
If your profile expires before receiving an ITA, you can create a new profile immediately. Many candidates use this opportunity strategically, updating language test scores, completing additional education, or accumulating more work experience before resubmitting.
David Kim, a marketing manager from Toronto, deliberately let his first profile expire after 10 months to retake his IELTS exam. His improved English scores increased his CRS by 24 points, moving him from 518 to 542—well into the competitive range.
Maximizing Your Maintained Status Period
The time you spend on maintained status isn't just waiting—it's an opportunity to strengthen your profile systematically:
Language Improvement: Retake IELTS or CELPIP tests targeting higher bands. Even small improvements can yield significant CRS increases.
French Language Addition: Consider learning French and taking TEF or TCF tests. French language proficiency can add substantial points and make you eligible for Francophone category draws.
Education Enhancement: Complete additional certifications or degrees that could improve your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
Provincial Nominee Programs: Research PNP opportunities in your province or others where you're eligible. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, virtually guaranteeing an ITA.
Common Mistakes That Cost Months
The "Honesty" Trap
Many candidates believe they should answer Express Entry questions based on document expiry dates rather than legal status. This misguided honesty can make profiles ineligible for draws unnecessarily.
Remember: maintained status is legal status. You're not being dishonest by answering "yes" to work authorization questions—you're accurately representing your legal situation under Canadian immigration law.
Incomplete Documentation
Failing to provide comprehensive documentation when you receive an ITA ranks among the most common reasons for application refusal. Officers need complete pictures of your situation, not partial explanations.
Timing Miscalculations
Some candidates submit Express Entry profiles before their work permit extension applications are filed, creating gaps in legal status. Always ensure your extension application is submitted and confirmed before updating your Express Entry profile.
Looking Ahead: Future-Proofing Your Strategy
Category-Based Selection Opportunities
The shift toward targeted draws creates new pathways for success. If you work in healthcare, STEM fields, or possess strong French language skills, you may qualify for category-specific draws with lower CRS requirements.
Recent category-based draws have selected:
- Healthcare workers with scores starting at 422 points
- STEM professionals with scores from 481 points
- French-speaking candidates with scores from 388 points
Provincial Nominee Program Integration
Many provinces have adapted their PNP streams to work synergistically with Express Entry. If you're on maintained status, research whether your current province offers enhanced nomination opportunities for residents with Canadian work experience.
Your Next Steps While on Maintained Status
The path forward requires strategic thinking and careful execution. First, ensure your Express Entry profile accurately reflects your maintained status by answering work permit questions affirmatively. Double-check that all information aligns with your legal situation, not just document dates.
Next, use your maintained status period productively. Consider retaking language tests, researching provincial nominee programs, or exploring category-based selection opportunities that match your background. Each month of additional Canadian work experience potentially improves your CRS score.
Finally, prepare your documentation package before receiving an ITA. Having your letter of explanation, employment verification, and extension application confirmations ready will streamline your permanent residence application process.
The Express Entry system's evolution has created both challenges and opportunities. While overall competition has intensified, targeted selection draws and category-based invitations provide new pathways for candidates with specific skills or backgrounds. Your maintained status isn't just a waiting period—it's a strategic advantage that allows you to strengthen your profile while maintaining legal status and work authorization.
Understanding these dynamics while properly representing your maintained status ensures you're positioned optimally for success in Canada's transformed immigration landscape. The key is combining accurate profile completion with strategic planning, turning your maintained status period into a launching pad for permanent residence rather than simply a waiting game.
FAQ
Q: How do I answer work permit questions in my Express Entry profile if I'm on maintained status?
Answer "yes" to work permit questions if you submitted your extension application before your current permit expired and you remain in Canada. Even though your physical permit may show an expired date, maintained status means you retain legal work authorization under the same conditions as your original permit. For example, if asked "Does [your name] have a valid work permit for the current job in Canada?" select "yes" because this reflects your actual legal status. If your original permit was LMIA-supported, also answer "yes" to LMIA questions and include your original LMIA number. This isn't dishonesty—it's accurately representing your legal situation under IRCC policy. Many candidates mistakenly answer "no" based on document dates, making their profiles ineligible for draws unnecessarily.
Q: What CRS score do I need to be competitive in Express Entry during 2026?
With 236,554 active profiles in the pool as of January 2026, competition has intensified significantly. For Canadian Experience Class candidates without Provincial Nominee Program nominations, you need 535+ points to be in safe territory, while 520-534 points puts you in the competitive range. Scores of 540+ are considered highly competitive. However, category-based selection rounds offer opportunities for lower scores—recent draws selected healthcare workers starting at 422 points, STEM professionals from 481 points, and French-speaking candidates from 388 points. The March 2025 elimination of 50-200 additional points for arranged employment fundamentally changed the landscape, making human capital factors like education, language skills, and age more critical than ever for overall competitiveness.
Q: What documents do I need when I receive an ITA while on maintained status?
Prepare a comprehensive documentation package including your work permit extension application submission confirmation, payment receipt, employment letter confirming ongoing work, and copy of your original LMIA if applicable. Most critically, include a detailed letter of explanation in the "Optional documents" section—this isn't truly optional for maintained status cases. Your letter should clearly state you're on maintained status, provide a timeline showing your extension was submitted before expiry, confirm continuous Canadian residence, explain continued work authorization, and reference relevant IRCC policies. This letter bridges the gap between your Express Entry profile responses and actual documentation, helping immigration officers understand your legal situation. Officers review thousands of applications, so clarity and organization are essential for success.
Q: Can I improve my Express Entry profile while waiting on maintained status?
Absolutely—your maintained status period is a strategic opportunity, not just waiting time. Each additional month of Canadian work experience can increase your CRS score, especially when you cross experience thresholds (one year, two years, three years). Consider retaking IELTS or CELPIP tests targeting higher bands, as even small language improvements yield significant CRS increases. Learning French and taking TEF or TCF tests can add substantial points and qualify you for Francophone category draws. Research Provincial Nominee Programs in your current province or others where you're eligible—a provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, virtually guaranteeing an invitation. You can also complete additional certifications or education that could improve your Educational Credential Assessment. If your profile expires before receiving an ITA, create a new one with these improvements.
Q: What are the biggest mistakes people make with Express Entry on maintained status?
The most costly mistake is the "honesty trap"—answering questions based on document expiry dates rather than actual legal status. Many candidates answer "no" to work permit questions because their physical permit expired, making their profiles ineligible unnecessarily. Remember, maintained status is legal status under Canadian immigration law. Another major error is incomplete documentation when receiving an ITA—officers need complete pictures of your situation, not partial explanations. Timing miscalculations also cause problems, like submitting Express Entry profiles before filing work permit extensions, creating gaps in legal status. Finally, many candidates waste their maintained status period instead of using it strategically to improve language scores, research PNP opportunities, or accumulate additional work experience that boosts their CRS score.
Q: How do category-based selection draws affect my chances while on maintained status?
Category-based selection draws have created new pathways with significantly lower CRS requirements than general draws. If you work in healthcare, STEM fields, trades, transport, agriculture, or possess strong French language skills, you may qualify for targeted draws. Recent examples include healthcare workers selected with scores starting at 422 points, STEM professionals from 481 points, and French-speaking candidates from as low as 388 points. This represents a fundamental shift from the previous system's broad general draws. While on maintained status, research which categories match your background and consider strategic improvements—for instance, learning French could qualify you for Francophone draws, or obtaining additional certifications might strengthen your position in STEM categories. These targeted opportunities often provide faster pathways to permanent residence than waiting for general draws with 535+ point requirements.
Q: What happens if my work permit extension is refused while I have an Express Entry application in progress?
If your work permit extension is refused after receiving an ITA but before submitting your permanent residence application, you must inform IRCC immediately and may need to withdraw your application unless you can restore your status quickly. However, if you've already submitted your complete permanent residence application with required fees, you may be able to continue processing even if your work permit extension is refused, though you'd need to stop working and potentially leave Canada if you can't restore status. To minimize this risk, ensure your extension application is complete and submitted well before your permit expires—ideally 4-6 months early. Consider consulting an immigration lawyer if your extension faces potential refusal issues. Some candidates apply for visitor status as backup if work permit extensions are uncertain, though this means stopping work. The key is having contingency plans and never assuming extension approval is guaranteed.
