Updated on April 8, 2026
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Read on to understand what happens to your provincial health coverage when your permit expires but your application is still in process or if you should consider purchasing private insurance.
If you are in Canada on maintained status, previously known as implied status, it can be unclear whether your provincial health insurance still applies. Immigration law may allow you to remain in Canada legally, but health coverage rules do not always follow the same logic. Maintained status means you applied to extend or change your temporary status before it expired and are waiting for a decision, often under the conditions of your previous permit. This article explains how maintained status is treated by provincial health plans, what can affect your coverage, and what steps you should take to avoid costly gaps in health insurance.
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Are you Still Covered by Provincial Healthcare Insurance While on Maintained status in Canada?
First step is to know if you are actually considered to be on a maintained status (previously known as ‘implied status’)
What we call ‘Maintained status’ is when a person in Canada on a work permit, study permit, or visitor visa, applies to extend or change their temporary status in Canada before that status expires.
In certain cases, the applicant can then remain in Canada legally under the conditions of their previous status until a decision is made on their new application.
What Maintained Status Means for Health Care Access
Being on maintained status does not automatically mean you lose access to public health care, but it does not guarantee uninterrupted coverage either. How it plays out depends on timing, province, and whether you take the right steps.
When coverage typically continues
In many provinces, health coverage can continue while you are on maintained status if all of the following are true:
- You applied to extend your immigration status before your permit expired
- You remain physically in Canada
- Your new application is for the same type of status, such as a work permit extension rather than a change to visitor status
In British Columbia, for example, MSP often continues during maintained status if Service BC has proof that an extension application was submitted on time. Other provinces have similar practices, even if they use different terminology.
The risk of a coverage lapse
The biggest risk is not maintained status itself, but lack of documentation. Provincial health plans do not automatically receive updates from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). If your permit expires and the province has no record that you applied for an extension, your coverage may be suspended.
A lapse can also happen if:
- You change status types, such as from worker to visitor
- You leave Canada while on maintained status
- You do not respond to a request for documents from the health authority
Once coverage is cancelled, reinstatement is not always retroactive. This means medical costs during the gap may not be reimbursed.
Link between immigration documents and coverage
Provincial health coverage is usually tied to the expiry date on your immigration document, not to your legal status under immigration law. Even though a maintained status allows you to stay and work or study legally, provincial systems often rely on visible expiry dates.
This mismatch is why proactive reporting matters. Submitting proof of your extension application, such as an IRCC confirmation page or submission receipt, can help keep coverage active while your new permit is being processed.
Who Qualifies Under Maintained Status for Provincial Coverage
Eligibility under maintained status varies by province, but most provinces assess coverage based on broad resident categories rather than the technical immigration label.
Common resident categories assessed
Provincial health plans usually look at whether you fall into one of these groups:
- International students with a valid study permit extension in progress
- Temporary foreign workers who applied to extend a work permit under the same conditions
- Permanent residents who are renewing a PR card or awaiting confirmation after approval
Maintained status generally supports continued eligibility when you remain in the same category and meet residency requirements.
Provincial rules always come first
Health care is administered at the provincial level, and each province sets its own rules, forms, and deadlines. What works in British Columbia may not apply in Ontario, Alberta, or Quebec.
Check the full list of requirements per province here.
Prepare documents before contacting the province
Anyone on maintained status should gather documentation before applying or updating coverage. This typically includes:
- Expired permit
- Proof of extension application submission
- IRCC payment receipt
- Any correspondence confirming eligibility to work or study
Having these documents ready makes it easier to prevent a suspension or to restore coverage quickly if a pause occurs.
Coverage on Maintained Status per Province or Territory
If you’re on maintained status, your eligibility for provincial health insurance coverage depends on your province of residence. Please refer to your province in the list below to better understand your eligibility.
Alberta
In Alberta, if a temporary resident’s immigration status is expiring soon or has expired, and they have applied to extend that status, they may be provided with an extension of their (AHCIP) coverage while waiting for a new document from IRCC. However, to be eligible, the person must:
- be currently living in Alberta
- be recently enrolled in AHCIP coverage
- have not received a denial from IRCC regarding the application to extend
- be able to provide the date of application and the application number from IRCC that confirms they applied to extend their work or study permit or visitor record before the expiration date
If a person meets the above criteria, they must contact AHCIP. The first extension is up to 90 days. For more information and contact details, please refer to this resource from the Government of Alberta.
British Columbia
In British Columbia, individuals with maintained status who are awaiting a new work permit or study permit may be eligible for an initial six months of temporary coverage through MSP. If needed, additional temporary coverage may also be provided.
Temporary MSP coverage will be provided to maintained status holders who:
- Remain in BC on a maintained status while waiting for a subsequent work or study permit
- Were previously enrolled with MSP
- Individuals must demonstrate they hold maintained status by providing IRCC receipts showing they applied for their new permit before the expiration of their original permit
- If the temporary coverage is requested four weeks or longer after the expiration of their original permit, the individual will also need to provide documentation from IRCC demonstrating their application is still active.
To request temporary MSP coverage, individuals must provide the requested documentation by following the instructions on this webpage.
Manitoba
In Manitoba, work permit holders who have applied for a new work permit and/or for permanent residence may be eligible to extend their Manitoba Health coverage while awaiting a decision on their application. To extend their coverage, applicants must submit the form and required documents outlined on this webpage.
Most international students in Manitoba are not eligible for Manitoba Health coverage and therefore cannot obtain coverage while on maintained status. However, those looking for clarification may wish to contact Manitoba Health directly.
Newfoundland & Labrador
When on maintained status, work permit & study permit holders may be eligible for interim Newfoundland & Labrador’s Medical Care Plan (MCP) coverage while awaiting a decision on their immigration application. To apply for interim coverage, individuals must submit the following documents and information:
- MCP Card Replacement/Information Update form
- official receipt from IRCC of payment of the application fee for the permit to extend stay in Canada, which includes the date the extension was applied for and the amount of fees paid
- confirmation letter from IRCC stating it has received the application, which must indicate the date the application was received by IRCC
- identification page(s) from the applicant’s unexpired foreign passport
For full details, please refer to the information on this webpage.
New Brunswick
n New Brunswick, both work permit holders and study permit holders are eligible for Medicare coverage. However, only work permit holders can receive an extension of coverage during maintained status. Check the section about maintained status coverage in New Brunswick.
Work permit holders on maintained status with expired Medicare coverage must provide a copy of their Acknowledgement of Receipt letter from IRCC showing their name, the date their application was received and the date until which they are authorized to continue working. If found eligible, the individual’s coverage may be extended by six months retroactively to the date their previous IRCC document(s) expired.
Northwest Territories
If you reside in the Northwest Territories, please contact the NWT Health Care Plan directly to confirm your eligibility for healthcare coverage, as there is no available information online regarding whether the coverage continues on Maintained Status.
Nova Scotia
For work permit and study permit holders in Nova Scotia, we advise contacting MSI before beginning maintained status in order to determine your eligibility for an extension of MSI coverage.
Nunavut
If you are residing in Nunavut, please contact the Nunavut Health Care Plan directly to confirm eligibility for healthcare coverage.
Ontario
Work permit holders on OHIP may be eligible to extend their OHIP coverage while on maintained status. The OHIP website does not provide explicit requirements for OHIP extensions on maintained status. Instead, they recommend that those on maintained status contact ServiceOntario to determine their eligibility.
Prince Edward Island (PEI)
The PEI website does not mention that these temporary residents are eligible to extend health insurance coverage during periods of maintained status. Rather, the website states that the PEI Health Card is valid only until the expiry date of the permit.
For questions about PEI Health Card eligibility for work permit and study permit holders, please contact Health PEI.
Quebec
In Quebec, it may be possible to extend RAMQ coverage while on maintained status; however, this service is not offered online. To verify eligibility, individuals must contact RAMQ offices by phone. For details on renewing or extending coverage, refer here.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan does not explicitly mention eligibility for healthcare coverage on maintained status. To confirm eligibility, contact eHealth Saskatchewan directly.
Yukon
If you are residing in the Yukon, please contact the Yukon Health Insurance Plan directly to confirm eligibility for healthcare coverage.
Pro-tip!
If you’re not sure about your eligibility for provincial health insurance, we strongly recommend purchasing private health insurance coverage during your period of maintained status. An unexpected healthcare bill can be highly expensive!
Private health insurance providers, such as Cigna, offer flexible plans that can help cover hospital care, doctor visits, and medical emergencies while you wait for clarity on your public coverage.
Temporary Private Insurance and Waiting Period
Even if you expect your provincial health coverage to continue while on maintained status, there is often a period of uncertainty. Processing delays, document reviews, or administrative gaps can leave you temporarily uninsured. For that reason, private health insurance is strongly recommended as a short-term safeguard.
1. Consider private insurance during waiting periods
Private travel or temporary health insurance can help cover you during:
- A gap between permit expiry and confirmation of continued provincial coverage
- A provincial waiting period after coverage is reinstated
- Any time you cannot verify your eligibility with the health authority
These policies are especially important if you need access to emergency care, hospitalization, or prescription coverage while your status or coverage is being reviewed.
2. Check coverage for pre-existing conditions
Not all private insurance policies are the same. Before purchasing a plan, review the policy details carefully to confirm:
-
Whether pre-existing medical conditions are covered
-
If there are stability periods or exclusions
-
When coverage begins, and whether there is a waiting period
Failing to check these details can result in denied claims, even if you believed you were insured.
Private Insurance Options: Our Trusted Partners
Ensuring you have adequate healthcare coverage is important. An unexpected medical bill can be expensive, and relying on assumptions about eligibility can be risky. If you are not eligible for public healthcare coverage, or if you cannot confirm your eligibility, purchasing private health insurance can help protect you during this period.
We work with two trusted insurance partners that offer coverage options for people in Canada:
Cigna
Our partner Cigna offers international health insurance policies for new arrivals or those already in Canada looking for coverage of 4+ months. Free quotes are available to help you explore your options.
Get your Free Cigna Quote here.
BestQuote
This is a good option if you need coverage for less than four months. It allows you to compare health and travel insurance policies from multiple providers in one place, making it easier to find coverage that fits your needs and budget.
Choosing private insurance does not replace provincial health coverage, but it can provide valuable peace of mind while your immigration or health insurance status is being finalized.
Trusted Health Insurance Partners
Cigna Healthcare - Health Insurance for Stays of 4+ Months
BestQuote Travel & Health Insurance
Trusted Health Insurance Partners
Cigna Healthcare - Health Insurance for Stays of 4+ Months
BestQuote Travel & Health Insurance
Further Healthcare Resources for Newcomers
- Wondering about your prescription options? Dive into our article, where we explore everything you need to know about obtaining a prescription in Canada.
- All you need to know about private health insurance for coverage gaps in Canada.
- Learn more about the Canadian Healthcare System and how make the most out of it.
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