What is a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) in Canada?

A Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) is an open work permit that allows foreign nationals in Canada to continue working legally while they wait for a decision on their permanent residence application. It 'bridges' the gap between when your current work permit expires and when you receive your PR. It is open — meaning you can work for any employer in Canada, in any job, for any hours.

Who qualifies for a Bridging Open Work Permit in Canada?

To qualify for a BOWP, you must: (1) be in Canada with valid temporary status, (2) hold a valid work permit or have applied to extend it before it expired (implied status), (3) have submitted a complete permanent residence application that has been received by IRCC (either through Express Entry, a PNP, or certain other economic class programs), and (4) your current work permit must be expiring within 4 months (or already expired and you are on implied status). Your PR application must not yet have been approved or refused.

How much does a Bridging Open Work Permit cost?

The application fee for a Bridging Open Work Permit is $155 CAD. If you also need an open work permit holder document, there may be an additional fee. Biometrics may also be required ($85 CAD) if you have not provided them within the last 10 years.

Can I apply for a BOWP before my work permit expires?

Yes — you should apply before your work permit expires, not after. You can apply for a BOWP as soon as your work permit has 4 months or less remaining AND you have an acknowledged PR application on file. Applying early ensures you maintain continuous work authorization through implied status while your BOWP is processing.

Can I work for any employer on a Bridging Open Work Permit?

Yes. A BOWP is an open work permit — it is not tied to a specific employer, job title, or location. You can work for any employer in Canada, change jobs freely, work part-time or full-time, and work in any occupation. This is a significant benefit compared to an employer-specific work permit.

How long is a Bridging Open Work Permit valid?

A BOWP is typically issued until the expected decision date on your PR application, or for a fixed period (often 1 year). It is valid until either your PR is approved (at which point you no longer need it) or refused (at which point your BOWP also ends and you must take further action). If your PR processing takes longer than expected, you can apply to extend your BOWP.

Bridging Open Work Permit Canada 2026: Who Qualifies and How to Apply (BOWP)

Last updated: April 2026 • For foreign workers in Canada whose work permit is expiring while their permanent residence application is being processed

Your work permit is expiring, your permanent residence application is in process, and you cannot afford a gap in your work authorization. A Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) is the solution — it lets you keep working for any employer in Canada while you wait for your PR decision. This guide explains exactly who qualifies, how to apply, and what to watch out for.

BOWP Quick Facts

💳 Fee: $155 CAD
🔓 Type: Open work permit — any employer, any job, anywhere in Canada
📋 Who can apply: Workers in Canada with a PR application acknowledged by IRCC
⏰ When to apply: When your work permit has 4 months or less remaining
⏱️ Processing: Varies — apply early to protect implied status
✅ Valid until: PR decision is made (approved or refused)

What Is a Bridging Open Work Permit?#

A Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) is a special category of open work permit designed specifically for foreign nationals who are waiting for a decision on their Canadian permanent residence application. It "bridges" the period between when your current work permit expires and when IRCC makes a final decision on your PR.

Unlike a regular employer-specific work permit, a BOWP is open — it is not tied to any particular employer, job title, or province. You can work for any employer in Canada, in any occupation, for any number of hours. This gives you full flexibility while your PR is pending.

Who Qualifies for a BOWP?#

You must meet all of the following conditions:

Condition	Details
You are in Canada	You must be physically present in Canada and currently hold valid temporary resident status (or be on implied status)
You hold a valid work permit OR have implied status	You currently have a work permit, or you applied to extend it before it expired and are waiting for a decision
You have submitted a complete PR application	IRCC has acknowledged receipt of your PR application — you have an AOR (Acknowledgement of Receipt) or ITA (Invitation to Apply) acceptance confirmation
Your current work permit expires within 4 months	Your existing work permit has 4 months or fewer remaining. If it has more than 4 months left, wait until you are within the 4-month window before applying.
Your PR application has not been decided	IRCC has not yet approved or refused your PR — it is still pending

⚠️ Your PR Application Must Already Be Submitted — Not Just Planned

You cannot apply for a BOWP on the basis of a PR application you are planning to submit. IRCC must have already received and acknowledged your complete PR application. If you have not yet submitted your PR application, do so as soon as possible — then apply for the BOWP once your work permit enters its 4-month window.

Which PR Programs Make You Eligible?#

PR Program	BOWP Eligible?
Express Entry — Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)	✅ Yes
Express Entry — Canadian Experience Class (CEC)	✅ Yes
Express Entry — Federal Skilled Trades (FST)	✅ Yes
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) — through Express Entry	✅ Yes
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) — paper-based stream	✅ Yes (in most provinces)
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)	✅ Yes
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)	✅ Yes
Spousal / Family Class sponsorship	❌ No — different work permit rules apply
Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C)	❌ No
Refugee class PR application	❌ No — refugee claimants have a different work permit stream

The 4-Month Rule Explained#

IRCC requires that your current work permit has 4 months or fewer remaining when you apply for a BOWP. This is a strict eligibility condition. If your permit has 5 months left, your BOWP application will be refused — you must wait until you are within the 4-month window.

Work Permit Expiry	Can You Apply for BOWP?
Expires in 5+ months	❌ No — too early. Wait until 4 months remaining.
Expires in exactly 4 months	✅ Yes — you are now eligible to apply
Expires in 1–3 months	✅ Yes — apply immediately
Already expired — but you applied to extend before expiry (implied status)	✅ Yes — you can still apply for BOWP if you are on implied status from a prior extension application
Already expired — no prior extension application filed	❌ No — you are out of status; restoration is required first

How to Apply: Step by Step#

Confirm your PR application has been acknowledged by IRCC

You need your Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) letter or equivalent confirmation that IRCC received your complete PR application. This is the foundation of your BOWP eligibility — without it, your application will be refused.

Confirm your work permit expires within 4 months

Check your work permit expiry date. If it is within 4 months — apply now. If it has more than 4 months remaining, set a reminder and apply when you enter the 4-month window.

Apply online through your IRCC secure account

Go to ircc.canada.ca and sign in to your account. Select "Apply for a work permit" and choose the open work permit — bridging category. Complete the application form accurately.

Upload all required documents

Upload your current work permit, passport, AOR letter from your PR application, and any other documents required. Ensure everything is legible and complete. Incomplete applications cause delays.

Pay the $155 CAD fee

Pay online by credit card through your IRCC account. Keep your payment confirmation. The fee is non-refundable.

Submit and maintain implied status

Once submitted, you are on implied status — you can continue working legally for your current employer while the BOWP is processing, even if your original work permit expires during this time. Do not stop working — implied status protects your authorization.

Documents Required#

Document	Details
Current work permit	Copy of your existing work permit showing the expiry date
Valid passport	Must be valid for longer than your planned BOWP validity
PR application AOR / confirmation	Acknowledgement of Receipt from IRCC confirming your PR application was received and is complete
PR application file number	Your PR application number (UCI or Application number)
Digital photo	Recent photo meeting IRCC specifications
Biometrics	Required if not provided in the past 10 years ($85 CAD additional fee)
Implied status proof (if applicable)	If your work permit has already expired and you are on implied status, include proof that you applied to extend before expiry

Implied Status While BOWP Is Processing#

When you apply for a BOWP before your current work permit expires, you automatically maintain implied status — you are legally authorized to continue working for the same employer under the same conditions as your current work permit while IRCC processes your BOWP application.

During BOWP Processing — What You Can and Cannot Do

✅ Continue working for your current employer
✅ Stay in Canada legally
❌ Cannot change employers yet — employer restrictions of your current permit still apply during implied status
❌ Cannot travel outside Canada and re-enter on implied status (leave = abandonment of your BOWP application)
✅ Once BOWP is approved: work for any employer anywhere in Canada

How Long Is a BOWP Valid?#

A BOWP is typically issued for the expected duration of your PR processing — often 1 year, sometimes longer. It remains valid until:

Your PR application is approved (you become a PR and no longer need the work permit), or
Your PR application is refused (your BOWP also ends — you need to take further action), or
The BOWP's own expiry date is reached (in which case you can apply to extend it if your PR is still pending)

BOWP vs Regular Work Permit Extension#

Feature	BOWP	Regular Work Permit Extension
Employer restriction	Open — any employer	Employer-specific (same employer, same job)
Who it's for	Workers with a pending PR application	Workers extending their current work authorization
LMIA required	No	Often yes (unless LMIA-exempt category)
Job change allowed	Yes — immediately upon BOWP approval	No — tied to original employer
Fee	$155 CAD	$155 CAD
Best for	Anyone with acknowledged PR application	Anyone without a PR application pending

What Happens When Your PR Is Approved#

When your PR application is approved, you become a permanent resident of Canada. Your BOWP is no longer needed — you do not need a work permit as a PR. IRCC will instruct you on next steps, including landing (if you have not yet landed as a PR) and receiving your PR card. Continue working normally — there is no gap in your work authorization during this transition.

If Your BOWP Is Refused#

If your BOWP application is refused, you lose implied status and must stop working immediately. Your options depend on your PR application status:

Option	Details
Apply for a new employer-specific work permit	If your employer is willing, they may be able to get an LMIA and support a new employer-specific work permit for you
Leave Canada and re-enter on a new work permit	In some cases, leaving and re-entering with a new work permit obtained abroad may be an option
Federal Court judicial review	If the refusal was based on a legal error, apply for judicial review within 15 days
Contact an immigration professional immediately	A BOWP refusal is urgent — get professional advice the same day you receive the refusal

Frequently Asked Questions#

Can I change jobs while waiting for my BOWP to be approved?

No — while your BOWP application is processing and you are on implied status, you are still bound by the conditions of your previous (expiring) work permit, which may be employer-specific. You can only change employers freely once your BOWP is actually approved.

Can I travel outside Canada while my BOWP application is pending?

Generally no. Leaving Canada while your BOWP application is pending typically abandons the application. If you need to travel, consult an immigration professional first. Once your BOWP is approved, you can travel — but re-entry may require a valid visa or eTA depending on your nationality.

My PR application was refused — what happens to my BOWP?

If your PR is refused, your BOWP also ends. You are no longer authorized to work in Canada and must either leave, apply for a new work permit, or take another immigration step. Contact an immigration professional immediately to understand your options.

My BOWP is expiring but my PR is still pending — can I extend it?

Yes. If your BOWP is approaching expiry and your PR has not been decided, you can apply for another BOWP extension. Apply before your current BOWP expires to maintain implied status and continuous work authorization.

Does a BOWP allow me to study in Canada?

Yes — open work permit holders, including BOWP holders, are generally allowed to study in Canada without a separate study permit, as long as the study is incidental to their work or is part-time.

I have a PNP nomination — am I eligible for a BOWP?

Yes, if you have submitted a complete PR application based on your PNP nomination and received an AOR from IRCC. Both Express Entry-linked PNP and paper-based PNP streams can make you eligible for a BOWP, as long as all other conditions are met.

Work Permit Expiring While Waiting for PR?

Don't let a gap in work authorization cost you your job. Apply for a BOWP as soon as your permit enters the 4-month window. Our team can connect you with immigration professionals who handle BOWP applications every day.

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Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration rules change frequently. Always consult a licensed Canadian immigration lawyer or RCIC for advice specific to your situation.