Bridging Open Work Permit Canada: Keep Working While Your PR Application Is Processed

If your current Canadian work permit is about to expire and your permanent residence (PR) application is already in the queue at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), there is a bridge designed exactly for this gap. A bridging open work permit (BOWP) lets eligible workers stay employed in Canada — without being tied to a specific employer — while IRCC finishes processing their PR file.

The BOWP is not automatic and it is not available to everyone. Understanding who qualifies and what conditions must be met before you apply can save you weeks of unnecessary stress, or prevent a costly mistake that leaves you out of status. As of writing, the rules below reflect current IRCC policy — always verify the latest requirements at Canada.ca or with a licensed immigration lawyer before you act.

This guide explains what the BOWP is, who qualifies, the four conditions you must satisfy, how to apply, and what happens if things do not go to plan.

What Is a Bridging Open Work Permit?

A bridging open work permit is a type of open work permit — meaning it is not restricted to one employer, job, or location in Canada. Unlike a standard employer-specific (closed) work permit, a BOWP lets you work for any employer while you wait for IRCC to make a final decision on your PR application.

The word "bridging" captures exactly what it does: it bridges the gap between the expiry of your current work permit and the date IRCC either approves or refuses your PR application. Without it, workers in this situation would face a choice between stopping work or risking unauthorized employment.

A BOWP is distinct from other open work permits (such as a post-graduation work permit or a spousal open work permit) because its entire purpose is to extend your ability to work during a pending PR process — not to confer any independent immigration benefit on its own.

Who Qualifies: Eligible PR Streams

Not every PR applicant is eligible for a BOWP. As of writing, the following applicants may qualify, provided the other conditions below are also met:

• Express Entry applicants — those who have received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and have submitted a complete PR application (all three programs: Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades)
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applicants — those who hold a provincial nomination and have applied for PR through the federal stream (both the paper-based and Express Entry-linked streams generally qualify)
• Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) applicants
• Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) applicants
• Agri-Food Pilot applicants
• Home Support Worker pilots applicants
• Caring for Children and Caring for People with High Medical Needs pilot applicants

Applicants under some other humanitarian or family-class streams may not be eligible. If you are unsure whether your specific program qualifies, confirm with a licensed immigration lawyer before spending time and money on an application.

The Four Conditions You Must Meet

IRCC requires that all four of the following conditions be satisfied before you can apply for a BOWP. Missing even one will result in refusal.

1. You Currently Hold Valid Temporary Status in Canada

You must be in Canada and in valid status when you apply. If your status has already expired, you are not eligible for a BOWP.

2. Your Current Work Permit Must Still Be Valid

Your existing work permit must be valid at the time you submit your BOWP application. IRCC will not accept a BOWP application after your work permit has expired. Plan ahead — IRCC recommends applying well before the expiry date to allow processing time.

3. Your PR Application Has Already Been Submitted to IRCC

You must have already submitted a complete PR application under an eligible class. A pending Express Entry profile, a provincial nomination, or a job offer alone is not enough — the full PR application must be filed with IRCC and in process.

4. Your PR Application Is in an Eligible Class

As noted above, only certain PR streams qualify. The PR application you have filed must fall within one of IRCC's designated eligible classes for the BOWP.

What Is "Maintained Status" (Implied Status) and Why It Matters

Maintained status, also called implied status, is one of the most important — and most misunderstood — concepts for temporary residents in Canada.

Under Canadian immigration law (the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, IRPA, and its regulations), if you apply to extend your status before your current status expires, you are generally allowed to continue doing what your current authorization permits — living and working in Canada — while IRCC processes your new application. This continuation of your previous conditions is what is called maintained or implied status.

Why it matters for BOWP applicants: If you apply for your BOWP before your current work permit expires, and IRCC has not yet made a decision by the time it does expire, your implied status typically allows you to keep working under the same conditions as your old permit while you wait. However, maintained status is not unconditional. It ends if IRCC refuses your application, and it does not give you new or broader rights — it only preserves what you already had.

The practical risk: If you wait too long and your work permit expires before you apply for the BOWP, you lose implied status and are out of status. At that point you cannot legally work, and the BOWP is no longer available to you. Apply early.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for a BOWP

1. Confirm eligibility. Check that your PR application is filed, your work permit is still valid, and your PR stream is on the eligible list (verify on Canada.ca — the list can change).
2. Gather documents. You will typically need: your current work permit, proof your PR application was received by IRCC (the Acknowledgement of Receipt, or AOR), your passport, and any other documents IRCC specifies.
3. Apply online through your IRCC secure account. BOWP applications are submitted online at Canada.ca/immigration. You will pay the applicable open work permit holder fee (verify the current amount at Canada.ca — fees change).
4. Apply well before your permit expires. Implied status only protects you if you submitted before expiry. Build in several weeks of buffer.
5. Track your application. Log in to your IRCC account to monitor status. Processing times vary — check current estimates at Canada.ca/IRCC.
6. Receive your BOWP. Once approved, IRCC will issue an open work permit valid until close to the expected processing date of your PR application. You can work for any employer in Canada.

What Happens If Your PR Application Is Refused?

A BOWP does not create independent status — it is tied entirely to your pending PR application. If IRCC refuses your PR application, your BOWP will cease to be valid. You will need to either:

• Appeal or reapply for PR through an eligible process, if grounds exist, or
• Leave Canada or apply for another temporary status before your authorization ends.

It is also worth knowing that a BOWP refusal (separate from a PR refusal) can happen if IRCC determines one of the four eligibility conditions was not met. If your BOWP is refused and your old work permit has expired, you may be without valid status — another reason to apply early and get proper advice before filing.

How the BOWP Differs from a Regular Open Work Permit

Frequently asked questions