Secure Your Legal Work Status During PR Processing
On This Page You Will Find:
- How to secure your legal work status while waiting for permanent residence
- Complete eligibility requirements for all immigration programs
- Step-by-step application process that prevents costly delays
- Special rules for spouses and Quebec applicants
- Critical deadlines and fees you must know
Summary:
Thousands of skilled workers face a terrifying prospect: their work permits expire before their permanent residence applications are approved, forcing them to leave Canada and abandon years of progress. The Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) eliminates this nightmare scenario, allowing you to maintain legal work status throughout your permanent residence process. This comprehensive guide reveals exactly how to qualify, apply, and secure your bridging permit—whether you're in Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program, or Quebec's skilled worker stream. Don't let bureaucratic timing destroy your Canadian dream.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Bridging Open Work Permits prevent forced departures while permanent residence applications are processed
- Available for Express Entry, PNP, Quebec skilled workers, and caregiver program applicants
- Spouses can also obtain work permits with specific skill level requirements
- No four-month expiry restriction—apply anytime after receiving your AOR letter
- Costs include both work permit fee and open work permit holder fee
Maria Santos stared at her work permit expiry date with growing panic. March 15, 2025—just four months away. Her Express Entry application had been submitted eight months ago, but Immigration Canada's processing times stretched far beyond her permit's validity. Without a solution, she'd be forced to leave Canada, abandoning her engineering career in Toronto and starting over from scratch.
Sound familiar? You're not alone. Thousands of skilled workers navigate this exact scenario every year, caught between Canada's lengthy permanent residence processing times and the reality of expiring work permits.
Here's the good news: Canada created the Bridging Open Work Permit specifically to solve this problem. This isn't just another bureaucratic form—it's your lifeline to maintaining legal status while your permanent residence application moves through the system.
What is a Bridging Open Work Permit?
Think of a Bridging Open Work Permit as your insurance policy against immigration limbo. It's a temporary work authorization that "bridges" the gap between your current work permit's expiry and your permanent residence decision.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recognized a fundamental problem: qualified applicants were being forced to leave Canada simply because processing times exceeded their work permit validity. The BOWP eliminates this catch-22 situation.
Unlike your current employer-specific work permit, a Bridging Open Work Permit offers remarkable flexibility. You can work for any employer, in any location (with some provincial restrictions), and even start your own business. It's essentially a "get out of jail free" card for immigration timing issues.
Who Qualifies for a Bridging Open Work Permit?
The eligibility requirements are specific but cover most permanent residence streams. You must be the principal applicant in one of these programs:
Federal Programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Class
- Canadian Experience Class
- Federal Skilled Trades Class
Provincial and Specialized Programs:
- Provincial Nominee Program
- Caring for Children Class
- Caring for People with High Medical Needs Class
- Agri-Food Pilot
- Quebec Skilled Worker
Here's what many people don't realize: you don't need to wait until your work permit is about to expire. IRCC removed the four-month restriction in 2021, meaning you can apply for your BOWP immediately after receiving your Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) letter.
Current Status Requirements
Your immigration status when applying matters significantly. You must meet one of these criteria:
Option 1: Valid Status You currently hold a valid work permit and temporary resident status. This is the straightforward scenario—you're legally authorized to work and haven't let anything expire.
Option 2: Maintained Status You've applied to renew your work permit before it expired, giving you "maintained status" while IRCC processes your renewal. Even if your permit has technically expired, you can still work legally under maintained status.
Option 3: Restoration Eligible Your status expired, but you're still within the 90-day restoration period. You can apply to restore your temporary resident status simultaneously with your BOWP application.
💡 Pro tip: If you're in the restoration category, expect longer processing times and additional fees. It's always better to apply before your current permit expires.
Express Entry Applicants: Your Fast Track
Express Entry applicants have the most straightforward path to a Bridging Open Work Permit. Once you receive your AOR letter (typically within 24-48 hours of submission), you can immediately apply for your BOWP.
The beauty of Express Entry BOWPs lies in their flexibility. There are no employment location restrictions for Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, or Federal Skilled Trades applicants. You can work anywhere in Canada for any employer.
When applying, you'll need to provide all supporting documents from your checklist plus your AOR letter. This includes:
- Passport and travel documents
- Digital photos meeting IRCC specifications
- Proof of current work permit
- Language test results
- Educational credential assessment
Provincial Nominee Program: Special Considerations
PNP applicants face additional requirements that many overlook. First, your provincial nomination cannot include employment restrictions. If your nomination letter specifies that you must work for a particular employer, you're not eligible for a BOWP.
Second, geographic restrictions apply. Your Bridging Open Work Permit will restrict you to working in your nominating province. This makes sense from a policy perspective—provinces nominate workers to address their specific labor market needs.
You'll also need to include your provincial nomination letter with your BOWP application. Without this document, IRCC will refuse your application and won't refund your fees.
Quebec Applicants: A Recent Development
Quebec skilled worker applicants gained BOWP eligibility on August 31, 2021—a game-changing development for francophone immigrants and those choosing Quebec as their destination.
The requirements mirror other programs: you need a complete permanent residence application submitted to IRCC and an AOR letter confirming federal receipt. However, Quebec's unique immigration agreement means processing times can vary significantly from other streams.
Your spouse or common-law partner can also obtain a work permit, regardless of your occupation's skill level. This provision recognizes Quebec's distinct approach to family integration.
Spouse and Partner Work Permits
Your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for their own work permit, but the requirements vary by program. Understanding these nuances can mean the difference between your partner working legally or remaining unemployed for months.
For Federal Skilled Worker Spouses: Your work must fall within National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill levels 0, A, or B. These represent management occupations, professional jobs requiring university education, and technical/skilled trades requiring college education or apprenticeship training.
For Canadian Experience Class Spouses: No occupation skill level requirements apply. Whether you're working as a CEO or a retail supervisor, your spouse qualifies for a work permit.
For Federal Skilled Trades Spouses: Your work must be NOC skill level B, which includes technical jobs and skilled trades.
For Provincial Nominee Spouses: Your spouse is eligible regardless of your occupation's skill level, but the work permit duration matches your BOWP validity period.
⚠️ Important: In all cases, your Bridging Open Work Permit must be valid for longer than six months for spouse eligibility.
Application Process and Fees
Applying for a Bridging Open Work Permit requires attention to detail and proper fee payment. Many applications are refused simply because applicants selected the wrong work permit type or paid incorrect fees.
When completing your online application, you must select "Open Work Permit" as your permit type. This seems obvious, but it's a common error that leads to automatic refusal.
You'll pay two separate fees:
- Work permit processing fee: $155
- Open work permit holder fee: $100
Total cost: $255 per applicant. If your spouse is applying simultaneously, double these amounts.
Processing Times and What to Expect
Current processing times for Bridging Open Work Permits range from 4-6 months, though this varies by application volume and your specific circumstances. Applications requiring restoration of status typically take longer.
During processing, maintain your current work authorization. If you have maintained status from a work permit renewal application, you can continue working. If you're applying for restoration, you cannot work until IRCC approves your application.
IRCC processes applications in the order received, but certain factors can accelerate or delay your timeline:
Factors that speed processing:
- Complete application with all required documents
- Valid status at time of application
- Clear, high-quality document uploads
Factors that slow processing:
- Missing or incomplete documents
- Poor quality document scans
- Restoration of status requirements
- High application volumes during peak periods
Common Mistakes That Kill Applications
After reviewing hundreds of BOWP applications, certain mistakes appear repeatedly. Avoiding these errors can save you months of delays and hundreds of dollars in reapplication fees.
Mistake #1: Applying Too Early While there's no four-month restriction, applying before receiving your AOR letter guarantees refusal. Wait for that confirmation email before starting your BOWP application.
Mistake #2: Wrong Work Permit Category Selecting "employer-specific work permit" instead of "open work permit" leads to automatic refusal. Double-check this selection before submitting.
Mistake #3: Insufficient Fees Paying only the work permit fee ($155) without the open work permit holder fee ($100) results in refusal. Both fees are mandatory.
Mistake #4: Incomplete Permanent Residence Applications If IRCC hasn't completed the R10 completeness check on your permanent residence application, they'll refuse your BOWP. This is particularly relevant for non-Express Entry streams.
Mistake #5: Employment Restrictions Oversight PNP applicants with employment-restricted nominations cannot obtain BOWPs. Review your nomination letter carefully before applying.
Your Next Steps
If you're currently on a work permit with a pending permanent residence application, don't wait until the last minute. Here's your action plan:
- Verify your eligibility using the criteria outlined above
- Gather all required documents while they're current and accessible
- Apply online through the IRCC website
- Monitor your application through your online account
- Maintain your current status throughout the process
The Bridging Open Work Permit represents more than just paperwork—it's your guarantee that years of building a life in Canada won't be derailed by processing delays. Whether you're an Express Entry candidate in Toronto, a Provincial Nominee in Calgary, or a Quebec skilled worker in Montreal, this permit ensures your Canadian journey continues uninterrupted.
Don't let bureaucratic timing force you to abandon your Canadian dream. Take action today to secure your bridging permit and maintain the momentum you've built toward permanent residence.
FAQ
Q: How long does it take to get a Bridging Open Work Permit and can I work while waiting?
Current processing times for Bridging Open Work Permits range from 4-6 months, though this can vary based on application volume and your specific circumstances. If you need status restoration, expect longer processing times. The good news is that you can continue working while your application is processed, provided you have maintained status. This means if you applied to renew your current work permit before it expired, you can keep working legally even after the expiry date until IRCC makes a decision. However, if your status has already expired and you're applying for restoration, you cannot work until your BOWP is approved. To avoid work interruptions, always apply for your bridging permit well before your current permit expires, ideally as soon as you receive your Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) letter from your permanent residence application.
Q: What's the difference between a regular work permit and a Bridging Open Work Permit?
A Bridging Open Work Permit offers significantly more flexibility than employer-specific work permits. While your current work permit likely ties you to a specific employer and job, a BOWP allows you to work for any employer in Canada, change jobs freely, and even start your own business. The only geographic restriction applies to Provincial Nominee Program applicants, who must work within their nominating province. For example, if you're currently working as a software developer in Vancouver on an employer-specific permit, a BOWP would allow you to switch to a marketing role in Toronto or launch your own tech startup. The permit also eliminates the need for Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) when changing employers. However, BOWPs are temporary solutions designed specifically to bridge the gap while your permanent residence application is processed—they're not permanent work authorizations and cannot be renewed indefinitely.
Q: Can my spouse work in Canada if I have a Bridging Open Work Permit?
Yes, your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for their own work permit, but eligibility depends on your immigration program and occupation skill level. For Federal Skilled Worker applicants, your job must fall within NOC skill levels 0 (management), A (professional), or B (technical/skilled trades). Canadian Experience Class applicants have no skill level restrictions—your spouse qualifies regardless of whether you're a CEO or retail supervisor. Provincial Nominee Program spouses are also eligible without skill level requirements. Your BOWP must be valid for longer than six months for spouse eligibility. The application process is separate—your spouse must apply for their own work permit and pay the associated fees ($255). Processing times are similar to BOWPs, typically 4-6 months. This provision recognizes that families need dual incomes to establish themselves successfully in Canada, making the transition to permanent residence more financially stable.
Q: What documents do I need to apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit?
You'll need several key documents for your BOWP application. The most critical is your Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) letter from IRCC confirming they received your permanent residence application—without this, your application will be automatically refused. You'll also need your current passport (valid for at least the duration you're requesting), digital photos meeting IRCC specifications, and proof of your current work permit. Provincial Nominee Program applicants must include their nomination letter, while Quebec skilled worker applicants need their Quebec Selection Certificate. Additionally, provide copies of documents from your permanent residence application: language test results, educational credential assessments, and work experience letters. If you're applying for status restoration, include explanation letters and proof of continuous residence in Canada. Ensure all documents are high-quality scans—poor image quality can delay processing. The total application cost is $255, comprising the work permit fee ($155) and open work permit holder fee ($100).
Q: What happens if my work permit expires before my Bridging Open Work Permit is approved?
If your work permit expires before your BOWP is approved, your ability to continue working depends on your application timing. If you applied for any work permit extension (including your BOWP) before your current permit expired, you have "maintained status" and can continue working legally under the same conditions as your expired permit. This protection continues until IRCC makes a decision on your application. However, if you didn't apply before expiry, you'll lose work authorization and must stop working immediately. You have 90 days from the expiry date to apply for status restoration alongside your BOWP, but you cannot work during this period. Restoration applications take longer to process and cost an additional $229. This is why immigration lawyers strongly recommend applying for your BOWP immediately after receiving your AOR letter, rather than waiting until your current permit nears expiry. The maintained status provision is your safety net, but only if you're proactive about applications.
Q: Are there any jobs I cannot do with a Bridging Open Work Permit?
While BOWPs offer significant flexibility, certain restrictions apply. You cannot work in jobs requiring specific work permit conditions, such as positions in healthcare that require provincial licensing beyond your permit. Some provinces may have additional restrictions for certain regulated professions. Provincial Nominee Program holders face geographic restrictions—you can only work within your nominating province. For example, if Alberta nominated you, you cannot take a job in Ontario while on a BOWP. However, you can change employers within Alberta freely. Unlike some other open work permits, BOWPs don't restrict you from jobs related to sex services or similar activities. You're also free to be self-employed or start your own business. The permit doesn't limit you to jobs in your nominated occupation—an engineer could work in marketing or start a restaurant. Just remember that if you significantly change your career path, it might affect your permanent residence application if your new job doesn't align with your nomination requirements.
Q: What should I do if my Bridging Open Work Permit application gets refused?
If your BOWP application is refused, act quickly to understand the reason and explore your options. Common refusal reasons include applying before receiving your AOR letter, selecting the wrong work permit type, paying insufficient fees, or having employment restrictions in your provincial nomination. First, carefully review the refusal letter to identify the specific issue. If it's a simple error like incorrect fees or document quality, you can reapply immediately with corrections. However, if your status has expired during processing, you may need to leave Canada or apply for restoration of status, which is more complex and expensive. Some refusals can be appealed or reconsidered if you believe IRCC made an error in assessing your eligibility. Consider consulting an immigration lawyer for complex situations, especially if your status has expired. Prevention is better than cure—double-check all requirements before submitting, ensure you have maintained status, and apply well before your current permit expires to avoid being caught in immigration limbo.
