For many international students and workers in Canada, family is their biggest source of support. It’s natural to want parents to visit for a short stay—whether to attend your graduation, spend time with grandchildren, or simply reunite after years apart.
But what if you are on implied status (also known as maintained status) when you want to invite your parents? At Globexa Immigration, we regularly receive this question, and the answer requires a careful understanding of Canada’s immigration rules.
This blog provides a complete guide on:
What implied/maintained status means,
Whether you can apply for your parents’ visitor visa during this period,
Risks, challenges, and practical solutions,
And expert tips to improve the chances of approval.
1. What Does Implied (Maintained) Status Mean?
In Canadian immigration law, implied status (updated term: maintained status) means that:
👉 If you applied to extend your study permit, work permit, or visitor record before it expired, you are legally allowed to remain in Canada under the same conditions until a decision is made.
For example:
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Students – If you submitted your study permit extension before expiry, you can continue studying.
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Workers – If you applied for a work permit extension before expiry, you can continue working.
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Visitors – If you applied to extend your stay before expiry, you can continue staying legally.
⚠️ However, during this period, you don’t have a new, approved permit in hand. You are in a temporary, uncertain position until IRCC makes a decision.
2. Can You Apply for Your Parents’ Visitor Visa While on Implied Status?
The short answer is: Yes, you can—but it comes with some risks.
When applying for a visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa, TRV) for your parents, IRCC will ask:
Is the host (you) legally in Canada?
Do you have the financial ability to support your parents?
Do your parents have strong reasons to return to their home country?
While implied status does keep you legal in Canada, it may raise some doubts for the visa officer.
Why?
You can only show your old, expired permit plus the Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) of your extension application.
You cannot yet provide a new valid study/work permit.
If your extension application is later refused, it could negatively affect your parents’ application.
3. Practical Scenarios
Let’s look at some realistic scenarios:
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Student on Implied Status Waiting for Study Permit Extension
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If your study permit has expired but you applied before the deadline, you are on implied status.
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You can apply for your parents’ visitor visa, but officers may hesitate since your future status is not confirmed.
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Worker on Implied Status Waiting for Work Permit Extension
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Same case as students—the application is legal, but it’s “in limbo.”
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If the officer feels uncertain about your employment security, it may weaken your parents’ case.
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Approved Permit vs Implied Status
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If you apply after your new permit approval, it strengthens the visitor visa application because it shows stability.
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4. Documents to Show When Applying During Implied Status
If you still choose to apply for your parents’ visitor visa while on implied status, you should prepare:
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Copy of your expired permit (study or work).
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Copy of the Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) confirming timely extension application.
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Proof of your current activities in Canada:
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Enrollment letter from your college/university, or
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Employment letter/pay stubs from your job.
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Bank statements and financial proof showing you can support your parents.
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A detailed invitation letter explaining the purpose of visit, your relationship, and assurance of support.
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Your parents’ ties to home country: property documents, job/business proof, financial savings, and family commitments.
5. Risks of Applying Under Implied Status
Higher scrutiny: Visa officers may question your uncertain legal status.
Possible delay: Applications may be put on hold until your own status is decided.
Refusal risk: If your extension is later refused, your parents’ application may automatically weaken.
6. Best Practices & Expert Advice
At Globexa Immigration, we recommend the following approach:
1. Best Option – Wait until your new permit is approved before applying for your parents’ visitor visa. This shows stability and reduces risks.
2. If Time-Sensitive (e.g., graduation ceremony, urgent family event) – Apply with strong supporting documents, making sure you clearly explain your legal implied status with the AOR and other proofs.
3. Prepare a Strong File – Focus on proving your parents’ ties to their home country (this is often the biggest reason for visitor visa refusal).
7. Example Case
A student in Canada applied to extend her study permit before expiry. While waiting on implied status, she wanted her parents to visit for convocation. She applied with:
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Expired study permit copy,
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AOR letter of extension,
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University convocation invitation letter,
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Proof of tuition fee payments and bank funds,
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Parents’ property and pension proof.
Result: Approved visitor visa, because the case was well-documented, and the officer was satisfied with both the student’s ongoing education and the parents’ home ties.
Conclusion
Yes, you can apply for your parents’ visitor visa while you are on implied status in Canada, but it comes with uncertainty and higher risk of refusal. The safest approach is to wait for your new permit approval before submitting their application.
If applying during implied status is unavoidable, make sure your application is thorough, transparent, and well-documented.
At Globexa Immigration, we specialize in handling such sensitive cases to maximize your success. If you’re unsure about the timing or documents, let our experts guide you step by step.
