A Bridging Open Work Permit may allow an eligible permanent residence applicant to continue working while IRCC processes the PR application. An Express Entry profile or Invitation to Apply is not enough: the principal applicant must submit the PR application, receive an AOR and meet the applicable status and program requirements.

What Is a Bridging Open Work Permit?

A Bridging Open Work Permit, commonly called a BOWP, is designed to reduce a potential employment gap for certain permanent residence applicants while their PR applications are processed.

Eligible programs include the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program and Federal Skilled Trades Program, as well as certain Provincial Nominee Program, Quebec and legacy caregiver applications. Each program has its own processing-stage and document requirements. Canada.ca

A pending PR application does not automatically grant a work permit or extend temporary status.

Express Entry BOWP Eligibility

An Express Entry applicant must generally:

• live in Canada and intend to live outside Quebec when applying;
• hold a valid work permit and temporary status, have maintained worker status, or qualify to restore status and obtain a work permit;
• be the principal applicant on the PR application;
• have submitted a complete PR application that passed the completeness check; and
• have an acknowledgement of receipt letter.

Creating an Express Entry profile or receiving an Invitation to Apply is not the same as submitting a permanent residence application. The applicant must submit the electronic PR application and reach the required processing stage. Canada.ca

The AOR should generally be uploaded in the Client information field of the online BOWP application. Provincial nominees may also need to provide their nomination letter.

When Should You Apply?

IRCC’s current public BOWP eligibility page does not list a separate rule limiting applications to the final four months of the existing permit. Nevertheless, the applicant must have the required AOR and supporting documents and should not allow their status to lapse.

IRCC recommends applying to extend or change a work permit at least 30 calendar days before the current permit expires. This is practical timing guidance, not a guaranteed processing period. Canada.ca

Can You Continue Working After the Current Permit Expires?

An applicant who submits the BOWP application before the existing work permit expires and remains in Canada may benefit from maintained status. If eligible, the person may continue working until IRCC decides the application—but only under the conditions of the original permit. ircc.canada.ca

This distinction is important:

• A worker with an employer-specific permit must continue with the employer, occupation and location authorized by that permit.
• A person who already holds an open work permit may continue changing jobs within the conditions of that permit.
• The new open-work-permit conditions apply after the BOWP is approved.

Submitting a BOWP application does not immediately convert an employer-specific permit into an open permit.

What If the Worker Needs Restoration?

IRCC’s BOWP criteria may accommodate a person who is eligible to restore status and obtain a work permit. However, restoration does not provide maintained-status work authorization.

A person who allowed a work permit to expire without filing an eligible extension application must normally stop working. Filing restoration and BOWP applications does not, by itself, authorize employment; work generally resumes only after status is restored and the new permit is issued. Canada.ca

What Happens If You Leave Canada?

A temporary trip does not necessarily cancel the BOWP application. It may, however, end the applicant’s ability to rely on maintained status for work.

If the previous work permit expires while the applicant is outside Canada—or the applicant leaves after it expires—the person may be unable to work after returning until the new permit is approved. Travel should therefore be assessed against the permit expiry date, entry-document requirements and the applicant’s actual status. Canada.ca

Additional Concerns for Provincial Nominees

Express Entry and non-Express Entry provincial nominees must generally have no employment restriction as a condition of the nomination to qualify for a BOWP.

A BOWP being open does not necessarily eliminate the obligation to preserve the circumstances underlying a nomination. Applicants nominated through an employer-driven stream should review the provincial rules before changing jobs or allowing the job offer to end.

For Ontario nominees, a material employment change may need to be reported to OINP. Ontario may also issue a temporary work-permit support letter to certain job-offer nominees. ontario.ca

Does the Spouse Automatically Receive an Open Work Permit?

No. The BOWP is issued to the principal PR applicant. A spouse or common-law partner needs a separate application and must qualify under the applicable family-member open-work-permit rules.

Eligibility may depend on the principal applicant’s immigration program, permit category, remaining permit validity, employment and residence in Canada. Being included as an accompanying dependant in the PR application is not enough by itself.

FAQ

Q1. Can I apply for a BOWP as soon as I receive an ITA?
No. An ITA is an invitation to submit the PR application. The applicant must submit a complete application, receive an AOR and satisfy the remaining BOWP requirements.

Q2. Can I change employers immediately after submitting my BOWP application?
Not if your original permit is employer-specific. You generally remain bound by its conditions until the BOWP is approved or you receive another authorization permitting the change.

Q3. Can I work while a restoration application is pending?
Normally, no. Restoration is different from maintained status. Work generally cannot resume until status is restored and the new work permit is issued.

Disclaimer

This article provides general information and is not legal or immigration advice for a particular case. BOWP eligibility and work authorization depend on the PR program, current status, existing permit conditions, filing date, travel history and any provincial nomination restrictions.