Can I keep working while I wait for my work permit to be extended?

When you submit an application to extend or renew your work permit before it expires, you usually benefit from maintained status (formerly called implied status). This typically lets you keep working under the conditions of your existing permit while IRCC processes the extension.

This protection applies to continuing the same authorized work and depends on applying before expiry. A common mistake is letting the permit lapse or changing job conditions, which can break the protection. If you want to change employers or job conditions, that is a different application and you should not assume maintained status covers it.