Originally published January 21, 2025. Reviewed for accuracy in July 2026.

A bridging open work permit (BOWP) can allow certain permanent-residence applicants to continue working in Canada while their application is processed. It is often described as a simple bridge between an expiring work permit and permanent residence. In practice, eligibility depends on the immigration program, the stage of the permanent-residence application and the applicant’s status in Canada.

General requirements

A BOWP applicant generally must be living in Canada and intend to live outside Quebec. At the time of application, the person must normally:

• hold valid temporary resident status and a valid work permit;
• have maintained status as a worker after applying in time to extend work authorization; or
• be eligible to restore temporary resident status and obtain a work permit.

The applicant must also be the principal applicant in an eligible permanent-residence class and must have received the required acknowledgement of receipt. An acknowledgement of receipt, however, is not always the end of the analysis.

Express Entry applications

For an eligible Express Entry application, IRCC must have completed the required completeness check. This is commonly associated with the section 10 completeness review. Applicants should not assume that merely submitting an electronic application or receiving an automated message proves that every BOWP requirement has been met.

The safest application identifies the permanent-residence class, includes the acknowledgement of receipt and demonstrates that the application has reached the stage required by IRCC’s instructions.

Provincial nominees outside Express Entry

Applicants under a non-Express Entry Provincial Nominee Program face additional considerations. IRCC’s published BOWP instructions require a complete permanent-residence application that has passed the eligibility assessment. The nomination must not contain an employment restriction.

This is an important distinction: for a non-Express Entry provincial nominee, an acknowledgement of receipt by itself does not necessarily establish BOWP eligibility. Applying before the required assessment has occurred can create an avoidable refusal risk.

Timing and status

IRCC no longer limits BOWP applications to the final four months of a current work permit. That does not mean an early application is always strategically appropriate. Applicants should consider:

• whether the permanent-residence application has reached the required stage;
• whether their current permit already provides stable work authorization;
• the consequences of travel while relying on maintained status;
• the expiry dates of passports and permits; and
• whether a spouse’s proposed work permit relies on a separate family-member category.

Practical takeaway

A BOWP is not granted simply because a permanent-residence application exists. The applicant must connect the facts to the correct program instructions and processing stage. Where the stage of processing is uncertain, it may be prudent to obtain reliable confirmation before filing rather than relying on assumptions about what an acknowledgement letter means.

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Official source: IRCC: Bridging open work permits for permanent-residence applicants.