01
Continue Working in Canada
A BOWP can provide continued work authorization while an eligible permanent residence application is being processed.
WORK
Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
Certain permanent residence applicants in Canada may be able to obtain an open work permit that allows them to continue working while IRCC processes their permanent residence application.
Check Your BOWP EligibilityBRIDGING OPEN WORK PERMIT
Keep Working While Your Permanent Residence Application Is Processed
A Bridging Open Work Permit, commonly known as a BOWP, is designed for certain temporary foreign workers who have already submitted a qualifying permanent residence application and need continued work authorization while waiting for a decision.
Unlike an employer-specific work permit, a BOWP is generally an open work permit and is not tied to one specific employer.
This can provide eligible applicants with flexibility to continue working in Canada during permanent residence processing.
However, submitting an Express Entry profile, receiving an Invitation to Apply or simply planning to apply for permanent residence does not automatically make someone eligible for a BOWP.
OPEN WORK PERMIT
What Does a Bridging Open Work Permit Allow?
A BOWP can allow an eligible permanent residence applicant to maintain access to the Canadian labour market while waiting for IRCC's decision.
02
No New LMIA Generally Required
Because a BOWP is an open work permit, it generally does not require an employer to obtain a new Labour Market Impact Assessment.
03
Work for Most Employers
The permit generally allows the holder to work for most eligible employers in Canada, subject to any conditions on the permit.
04
Change Employers
Because the permit is generally not employer-specific, the holder may usually change employers without first obtaining a new employer-specific work permit.
05
Temporary Work Authorization
A BOWP remains temporary status and does not guarantee that the permanent residence application will be approved.
06
Program-Specific Conditions
Eligibility can differ depending on the permanent residence program through which the applicant applied.
BASIC ELIGIBILITY
General BOWP Requirements
Although requirements vary by permanent residence program, several conditions apply to most BOWP applicants.
01
Live in Canada
Applicants generally must be living in Canada at the time they apply for the Bridging Open Work Permit.
02
Qualifying Worker Status
You generally must hold a valid work permit, have maintained your status as a worker, or be eligible to restore your status and obtain a work permit.
03
Principal Applicant
You must be the principal applicant on the qualifying permanent residence application.
04
PR Application Submitted
You must have submitted an actual permanent residence application under an eligible immigration program.
05
Required Processing Stage Reached
Your permanent residence application must have reached the processing stage required for your particular immigration program.
06
Supporting IRCC Documents
Applicants generally need documents such as an acknowledgement of receipt, nomination certificate or other program-specific evidence.
EXPRESS ENTRY
BOWP for Express Entry Applicants
Applicants who submitted permanent residence through Express Entry may be eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit under the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program or Federal Skilled Trades Program.
The applicant must be living in Canada and intend to live outside Quebec when applying for the BOWP.
The permanent residence application must have been submitted and passed IRCC's completeness check.
The applicant must also have received an acknowledgement of receipt confirming that IRCC received the permanent residence application.
Express Entry Profile ≠ PR Application
Creating an Express Entry profile or receiving an Invitation to Apply does not by itself make you eligible for a BOWP.
Review My Express Entry CaseEXPRESS ENTRY PROGRAMS
Which Express Entry Applicants May Qualify?
BOWP eligibility can apply to principal applicants under the three federal Express Entry economic immigration programs.
01
Canadian Experience Class
Eligible CEC applicants who have submitted a complete permanent residence application and received their acknowledgement of receipt may qualify.
02
Federal Skilled Worker Program
Principal applicants under the Federal Skilled Worker Program may qualify once the applicable permanent residence processing requirements are met.
03
Federal Skilled Trades Program
Eligible Federal Skilled Trades Program applicants may also qualify for a BOWP while their permanent residence application is being processed.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT
Why the Acknowledgement of Receipt Matters
For many BOWP applications, the acknowledgement of receipt, commonly called the AOR, is a key supporting document.
The AOR confirms that IRCC has received the permanent residence application.
For Express Entry applicants, the application must also have passed the required completeness check before the applicant qualifies for a Bridging Open Work Permit.
ITA Is Not an AOR
An Invitation to Apply under Express Entry is not the same as an acknowledgement of receipt for a submitted permanent residence application.
Check My Application StagePROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM
BOWP for Provincial Nominees
Certain Provincial Nominee Program applicants may qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit after submitting their permanent residence application.
The requirements differ depending on whether the applicant applied for permanent residence through an Express Entry aligned nomination or through a non-Express Entry PNP process.
In either situation, the provincial nomination must generally not contain employment restrictions that prevent the applicant from qualifying for an open work permit.
Check Your Nomination Conditions
Provincial nominees with employment restrictions on their nomination may not qualify for a BOWP.
Review My NominationPNP APPLICATION TYPE
Express Entry PNP vs. Non-Express Entry PNP
The permanent residence processing stage required for BOWP eligibility differs depending on how the provincial nominee applied.
01
Express Entry PNP
Express Entry provincial nominees generally must have submitted a complete PR application that passed the completeness check and have received an acknowledgement of receipt.
02
Non-Express Entry PNP
Non-Express Entry provincial nominees generally must have submitted a complete permanent residence application that has passed IRCC's eligibility assessment before the BOWP can be approved.
03
Nomination Letter
Provincial nominee applicants should generally include a copy of their nomination documentation with the BOWP application.
PNP EMPLOYMENT RESTRICTIONS
Does Your Provincial Nomination Restrict Your Employment?
BOWP eligibility for provincial nominees generally requires that the nomination does not contain an employment restriction.
This is different from simply having obtained a provincial nomination through an employer-driven immigration stream.
The nomination certificate and provincial documents should be reviewed carefully to determine whether an employment restriction applies.
Employer-Based Nomination Does Not Always Mean No BOWP
The important issue is whether employment restrictions appear as a condition of the provincial nomination, not simply whether an employer supported the nomination.
Review My PNP DocumentsQUEBEC APPLICANTS
Quebec Skilled Worker Applicants
Certain Quebec-selected skilled workers may also qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit while their permanent residence application is being processed.
The applicant must live in Canada, intend to live in Quebec and hold a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ). The CSQ must have been valid when the permanent residence application was submitted.
The applicant must also be the principal applicant, and the permanent residence application must have reached the processing stage required for Quebec-selected applicants.
Quebec Has Separate Requirements
Quebec applicants should not rely on the same eligibility analysis used for Express Entry or provincial nominees outside Quebec.
Review My Quebec CaseOTHER PR PROGRAMS
Other Permanent Residence Applicants Who May Qualify
BOWP eligibility is not limited to Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Program applicants. Some applicants under older or specialized permanent residence programs may also qualify.
01
Certain Caregiver Pilot Applicants
Certain applicants under the Home Child Care Provider Pilot or Home Support Worker Pilot programs that operated from 2019 to 2024 may qualify once the applicable requirements are met.
02
Older Caregiver Classes
Some applicants under the former Caring for Children Class or Caring for People with High Medical Needs Class may qualify after approval in principle.
03
Agri-Food Pilot
Certain applicants who applied through the former Agri-Food Pilot may qualify after reaching the required permanent residence processing stage.
04
Quebec Investors
Certain Quebec investor applicants may qualify if they meet the applicable Quebec selection and permanent residence processing requirements.
CAREGIVER PROGRAMS
Newer Home Care Worker Pilots Are Different
Applicants under the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots that opened in 2025 should not assume that the Bridging Open Work Permit rules applicable to earlier caregiver pilots also apply.
IRCC currently states that applicants under the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots opened in 2025 are not eligible for a BOWP under the standard BOWP provisions.
Similar Program Names Can Have Different Rules
Caregiver immigration programs have changed several times. Eligibility should be reviewed based on the exact program and application date.
Review My Caregiver CaseIMPORTANT DISTINCTION
Not Every Permanent Residence Application Leads to a BOWP
A Bridging Open Work Permit is available only in specific permanent residence situations.
Applying for permanent residence does not automatically give a person the right to obtain an open work permit.
Some permanent residence pathways have separate work permit options rather than the standard BOWP framework.
PR Pending Does Not Automatically Mean BOWP Eligible
The exact permanent residence program and stage of processing must be reviewed before determining work permit eligibility.
Check My PR ProgramCURRENT WORK PERMIT
Do Not Let Your Work Permit Expire While Waiting to Qualify
Some applicants may be planning to apply for permanent residence but have not yet reached the stage required for a BOWP.
For example, an Express Entry candidate who has only created a profile or is still waiting for an Invitation to Apply is not yet eligible for a BOWP on that basis.
If your current work permit is approaching expiry before you become BOWP eligible, another work permit strategy may be required.
Waiting for an ITA?
Do not assume that your Express Entry profile protects your work status. Your existing work permit and status should be addressed separately.
Review My Work Permit OptionsMAINTAINED STATUS
Can You Continue Working While the BOWP Is Processing?
An applicant who submits an eligible work permit extension application before their current work permit expires may be able to maintain temporary resident status and continue working under applicable maintained status rules.
Whether you can continue working depends on your existing work authorization, the timing of the application and whether you remain eligible under the applicable rules.
Applicants should not assume that merely submitting a permanent residence application gives them authority to continue working.
PR Applications Do Not Maintain Work Status
Permanent residence and temporary work status are separate. You must maintain appropriate temporary resident status while your PR application is being processed.
Check My Maintained StatusTRAVEL
Travelling Outside Canada While a BOWP Is Processing
Applicants may travel outside Canada while a BOWP application is being processed, but travel can affect temporary resident status and work authorization.
If your current work permit expires while you are outside Canada, or you leave Canada after it expires, you may not be able to resume working immediately when you return.
Provincial nominee applicants should also be aware that IRCC may require valid temporary resident status in Canada when the BOWP decision is made.
Travel Can Affect Work Authorization
Before travelling while relying on maintained status or waiting for a BOWP, review the immigration consequences carefully.
Review My Travel PlansFAMILY MEMBERS
Does a BOWP Automatically Cover Your Spouse?
A Bridging Open Work Permit is issued to the eligible principal applicant.
A spouse or common-law partner does not automatically receive a work permit simply because the principal applicant receives a BOWP.
A spouse or partner may have a separate open work permit pathway if they meet the applicable family open work permit requirements.
Separate Eligibility Applies
Your spouse's eligibility should be assessed separately under the current family open work permit rules.
Check My Spouse's EligibilityDOCUMENTATION
Common Documents for a BOWP Application
The documents required depend on the permanent residence program and the applicant's current immigration status.
01
Acknowledgement of Receipt
Many applicants must provide the AOR issued after IRCC receives the permanent residence application.
02
Current Work Permit
Your existing work permit and temporary resident status are relevant to determining BOWP eligibility.
03
Provincial Nomination
Provincial nominee applicants may need to provide their nomination certificate or nomination letter.
04
CSQ
Eligible Quebec applicants may need to provide their Certificat de sélection du Québec.
05
Approval in Principle
Certain applicants under older caregiver or specialized permanent residence programs may need an approval in principle letter.
06
Passport and Status Documents
Passport validity and documentation confirming current or maintained status may also be required.
APPLICATION PROCESS
How the Bridging Open Work Permit Process Works
BOWP eligibility should be confirmed before the application is submitted because the required PR processing stage differs by program.
1
Identify Your PR Program
Confirm whether your permanent residence application falls within an eligible BOWP category.
2
Confirm the PR Processing Stage
Determine whether your permanent residence application has passed the completeness, eligibility or approval-in-principle stage required for your program.
3
Review Your Temporary Status
Confirm your current work permit, maintained status or restoration eligibility.
4
Prepare Supporting Documents
Gather your AOR, work permit, passport, nomination documents and other program-specific evidence.
5
Submit the Work Permit Application
Submit the BOWP application using the appropriate IRCC process and pay the applicable work permit and open work permit holder fees.
COMMON MISUNDERSTANDINGS
Common BOWP Mistakes
BOWP eligibility is often misunderstood because permanent residence and temporary work status operate separately.
!
Express Entry Profile Only
Being in the Express Entry pool does not make you eligible for a BOWP.
!
ITA Only
Receiving an Invitation to Apply is not the same as submitting a complete permanent residence application.
!
PR Application Maintains Work Status
Submitting a permanent residence application does not by itself extend your work permit or authorize continued work.
!
Every PNP Applicant Qualifies
PNP applicants must meet additional requirements, including applicable nomination and processing conditions.
!
Every PR Program Qualifies
BOWP eligibility is limited to specific permanent residence categories.
!
Spouse Automatically Gets a BOWP
A spouse or common-law partner must qualify separately for their own work permit.
HOW WE CAN HELP
Timing Is Critical in a BOWP Application
AddPlus Immigration Solutions Inc. can review both your permanent residence application and your temporary status to determine whether and when a BOWP application may be appropriate.
01
PR Program Review
We identify whether your permanent residence program supports BOWP eligibility.
02
Application Stage Review
We review whether your PR application has reached the stage required before a BOWP can be issued.
03
Status Planning
We review your current work permit expiry and temporary resident status to reduce gaps in work authorization.
04
Supporting Documentation
We help identify the AOR, nomination, CSQ and other documents relevant to your specific BOWP category.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Permanent Residence and Work Status Must Be Managed Separately
A permanent residence application can take time to process, but having a PR application in progress does not automatically protect temporary resident status or work authorization.
Applicants should review their work permit expiry date, permanent residence processing stage and BOWP eligibility before their existing authorization expires.
If a BOWP is not yet available, another temporary work permit option may need to be considered.
Is Your Work Permit Expiring?
Tell us which permanent residence program you applied under, when you applied and when your current work permit expires. We can help determine your next step.
Review My BOWP OptionsBRIDGE THE GAP TO PERMANENT RESIDENCE
Keep Your Work Status on Track While You Wait for PR
Tell us about your permanent residence application, current work permit and immigration status. Our team can help you determine whether a Bridging Open Work Permit is available and when you should apply.
Assess Your BOWP Eligibility