The Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) is designed for one specific situation: a foreign national in Canada whose temporary work permit is about to expire while a permanent residence application is pending with IRCC. The BOWP bridges the gap — allowing the worker to remain employed in Canada under an open work permit until the PR decision is issued, whether that decision is positive (PR granted) or negative (requiring further action or departure).
The BOWP is not a long-term work permit category. It is a transitional tool, valid until the underlying PR application is decided or until the date the existing work permit would have expired (whichever is earlier, under current policy). As such, it requires careful timing: the BOWP application must be submitted before the current work permit expires, and ideally several months before to account for processing time.
📋 Quick Facts
- Government Fee: $255 total ($155 work permit + $100 open work permit holder fee)
- Biometrics: $85 individual (if applicable)
- Processing Time: ~3–4 months
- RCIC-IRB Representation: Available — Dimple Verma R708308
Eligibility Requirements
- For workers in Canada whose current work permit is expiring while their PR application is pending
- Must have an active PR application submitted under Express Entry (CEC, FSW, FST) or PNP
- Must have received AOR (Acknowledgment of Receipt) for PR application
- Current work permit must not have expired at time of BOWP application
- Allows holder to work for any eligible employer while awaiting PR decision
- Must apply online; BOWP typically valid until PR decision is made (or work permit would have expired)
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a BOWP, all of the following must be true at the time of application:
- You are physically in Canada with a valid work permit (or in implied status from a timely renewal application)
- You have submitted a permanent residence application under one of the qualifying streams
- You have received an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) for that PR application — confirming it has been received and is under review by IRCC
- Your current work permit has not yet expired at the time of the BOWP application
- The PR application is still active (not refused, withdrawn, or abandoned)
The qualifying PR streams for BOWP purposes include Express Entry applications (Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades), Provincial Nominee Program applications where a nomination has been received, and in some circumstances Atlantic Immigration Program and other federal immigration streams. Spousal sponsorship PR applications do not typically qualify for the BOWP — sponsored spouses have the SOWP pathway instead.
When to Apply — Timing Is Critical
The BOWP application must be submitted before your current work permit expires. This cannot be overstated: if you allow your work permit to lapse without submitting a BOWP application (or any other extension), you lose implied status and may need to leave Canada. The BOWP is not available to restore status after a permit has expired.
Given that BOWP processing currently takes approximately 3–4 months, applicants should ideally submit at least 4 months before the current work permit’s expiry date. Submitting early ensures that if the BOWP is still processing when the current permit expires, implied status is maintained and the applicant can continue working under the conditions of the previous permit while the BOWP is processed.
Applicants who submit within weeks of permit expiry risk gaps in implied status protection. The PR application AOR is typically received 4–8 weeks after the initial PR application submission, so timing the sequence — PR application → AOR → BOWP application — requires proactive planning.
What the BOWP Authorises
The BOWP is an open work permit — it allows the holder to work for any eligible Canadian employer in any occupation without employer or location restrictions. This is consistent with other open work permit types. Holders can change employers, take on multiple jobs, and work part-time or full-time as needed.
The BOWP is valid until the PR decision is made (or until the original work permit would have expired, whichever comes earlier). Once a positive PR decision is issued, the holder’s work authorisation continues through their PR status. If the PR is refused, the BOWP is no longer valid as a basis for employment — the holder would need to make other arrangements or prepare for departure.
Fees
The BOWP costs $255 total: the $155 work permit application fee plus the $100 open work permit holder fee. Biometrics ($85) are payable if not currently on file, which is uncommon for applicants who have been in Canada on a prior work or study permit and already provided biometrics within the valid collection period.
How VGIS Can Help
Timing a BOWP application correctly — relative to PR application submission, AOR receipt, and current work permit expiry — is one of the most common planning challenges VGIS clients face. Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308, helps clients map out their PR and work permit timeline, prepare BOWP applications, and ensure there are no gaps in work authorisation. Book a paid consultation to review your timeline before your current permit expires.
Fees & Costs
| Fee Component | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Government Fee | $255 total ($155 work permit + $100 open work permit holder fee) |
| Biometrics | $85 individual (if applicable) |
Fees current as of 2026. IRCC may update fees periodically — confirm on the official source link below before paying.
Key Documents Required
- AOR for permanent residence application
- Current valid work permit (copy)
- Work permit application form
- Passport
- Biometrics (if applicable)
- Proof of PR application (AOR letter)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a BOWP if my work permit has already expired?
No. The BOWP is only available to applicants who are in Canada with a currently valid work permit or who are in implied status (meaning they applied to extend or change status before their permit expired). If your work permit has expired without a pending application, you are out of status and cannot apply for a BOWP — you would typically need to leave Canada and re-enter through another category, or seek other remedial options.
My PR application was submitted but I have not received the AOR yet. Can I apply for a BOWP?
No. The AOR is a mandatory document for the BOWP application. You must wait until the AOR is issued before applying. If your work permit is expiring soon and you haven’t yet received the AOR, you may need to consider applying for an extension of your current work permit through a different mechanism, or accepting implied status while waiting for the AOR.
Does the BOWP have any restrictions on where or what type of work I can do?
No occupation or employer restrictions. The BOWP is a fully open work permit — you can work for any eligible employer in any occupation, anywhere in Canada. The only restriction is that you cannot work for employers on IRCC’s ineligible employer list.
What happens if IRCC refuses my PR application while I am on a BOWP?
If the PR application is refused, the BOWP is no longer valid. You would need to either appeal the refusal (through the Federal Court or other applicable review mechanisms), apply under a different immigration category, or make arrangements to depart Canada. The BOWP does not automatically extend after a PR refusal — it is strictly a bridging tool pending the PR decision.
Can I get a BOWP if my PR application is a spousal sponsorship?
Generally no. The BOWP qualifying streams are primarily Express Entry (CEC, FSW, FST) and PNP nominations. Spousal sponsorship PR applicants whose work permit is expiring should instead apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) under the A74 category, which is the equivalent bridging tool for the spousal sponsorship context.
Official Government Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/permit/temporary/open-work-permit.html
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Disclaimer: This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration laws and IRCC policies change frequently. For advice specific to your case, please book a paid consultation with our licensed RCIC-IRB. VG Immigration Services Inc. — Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308.