Canada Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP): Requirements, Eligibility, Process & Documents for Indians

An employer-free bridge for PR applicants whose work permit is expiring — no LMIA, no job offer, and work for almost any Canadian employer while your Express Entry or eligible PNP PR application finalises.

Processing Time

Varies — check IRCC tool

Visa Fee

CAD 255

Validity

Up to 2 years

Canada Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) is a temporary, employer-free work permit issued by IRCC to foreign workers already in Canada who have applied for permanent residence under Express Entry or an eligible Provincial Nominee Program stream and whose current work permit is close to expiring. It is designed as a continuity bridge — keeping applicants legally employed while their PR application is processed, so they do not have to stop working or leave the country while waiting for a final decision. A BOWP is not a new PR pathway; it only extends work authorisation during the PR processing window.

To qualify, the applicant must be physically in Canada with valid temporary status, maintained status, or restoration eligibility, and must have the correct Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) or PR-stage proof for the stream. Total fees come to CAD 255 (CAD 155 work permit + CAD 100 open work permit holder fee), plus CAD 85 biometrics if needed. BOWPs require no LMIA and no job offer, and they can help eligible Express Entry, PNP, Quebec, caregiver, and other PR applicants avoid a work gap while IRCC finalises permanent residence.

BOWP answer for PR applicants

Bridging open work permit answers before you apply

Use this section as the fast eligibility read. It reflects current IRCC guidance for permanent residence applicants who need a work permit bridge while their PR file is in process.

What is a bridging open work permit?

A BOWP is an open work permit for certain permanent residence applicants in Canada whose current work permit is expiring. It lets them keep work authorization while IRCC processes the PR application.

Who qualifies for a BOWP?

The applicant normally must be in Canada, be the principal applicant on an eligible PR application, have an AOR or required PR-stage proof, and hold valid status, maintained status, or restoration eligibility.

See eligibility details

When should you apply?

Apply after the eligible PR application has passed the required completeness or eligibility stage and before your current work authorization creates a gap. Do not rely on an Express Entry profile or ITA alone.

See application timing

Can you work while waiting?

If you apply before your current work permit expires, you may be able to keep working under maintained status. If you leave Canada after the permit expires, IRCC says you cannot work until the new permit is approved.

See maintained-status steps

Common refusal and edge cases

Refusal risk rises if the PR file has not reached the required stage, the applicant is outside Canada, the nomination has employment restrictions, status is lost, or the wrong PR stream proof is uploaded.

See requirement details

Eligibility

Who can apply for Canada Bridging Open Work Permit?

Foreign workers currently in Canada on a valid work permit who have applied for Canadian PR under Express Entry (CEC, FSWP, or FSTP)
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applicants under eligible streams, including Express Entry-aligned nominees and non-Express Entry nominees without employment restrictions
Applicants whose current work authorization is expiring and who need to avoid a work gap while their PR application is processed
PR applicants who have received an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) from IRCC confirming their complete PR application is in processing
Applicants maintaining valid temporary resident status in Canada at the time of applying for the BOWP
Current open work permit or employer-specific work permit holders transitioning to PR who need continued work authorisation
Spouses or common-law partners of principal BOWP applicants may apply for their own Spousal Open Work Permit (subject to the January 21, 2025 rules — principal in NOC TEER 0/1 or a select TEER 2/3 priority-sector occupation, with 16+ months remaining on the permit)
Applicants who applied from within Canada and remain physically present in Canada throughout the BOWP application

BOWP eligibility hinges on a live PR application, correct PR-stage proof, and valid, maintained, or restorable status. Verify your exact status against current IRCC rules at canada.ca before applying.

Requirements

What are the requirements and key details of Canada Bridging Open Work Permit?

Physical Presence in Canada: Applicant must be physically in Canada at the time of BOWP application
Valid Temporary Status: Must hold valid worker status — or be maintaining status — when applying
Current Work Permit: Must hold a valid work permit, have maintained status as a worker, or be eligible to restore status and get a work permit
Eligible PR Application: Must have applied for PR under Express Entry, an eligible PNP stream, Quebec skilled worker/investor, caregiver, Agri-Food Pilot, or another listed PR-linked category
Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR): IRCC must have issued an AOR, permanent application number, approval-in-principle letter, or other proof required for the specific PR category
Timing: Apply after the PR application reaches the required IRCC stage and before work authorization gaps create maintained-status risk
No LMIA Required: Yes — BOWPs are explicitly LMIA-exempt
No Job Offer Required: Yes — no Canadian employer or offer is needed to apply
Work Permit Fee: CAD 155
Open Work Permit Holder Fee: CAD 100 — mandatory in addition to the work permit fee
Biometrics Fee: CAD 85 per applicant, if biometrics are not already valid
Inland Online Application: BOWP must be submitted online via the IRCC Secure Account — no paper-based intake
Enhanced PNP Ineligibility: Enhanced PNP candidates apply via Express Entry — direct non-EE Enhanced PNP nominees are not eligible for BOWP
Compliance with Conditions: Cannot work for unauthorised employers (sex trade, certain childcare/medical employers)
No Duplicate Permits: A BOWP replaces the existing work permit once issued — it is not stacked on top of the old permit

Documents

What are the documents required for Canada Bridging Open Work Permit?

Valid Indian passport with at least 6 months validity beyond the intended stay in Canada, plus digital passport-size photographs per IRCC specifications
Completed application form IMM 5710 (inland work permit application), with a copy of your current Canadian work permit and any study or visitor history
Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) from IRCC for your Express Entry or eligible PNP permanent residence application, plus the provincial nomination certificate for non-Enhanced PNP applicants
Proof of Express Entry Invitation to Apply (ITA) and e-APR submission confirmation
Copy of the current work permit showing the expiry date, plus any proof that you applied before expiry if you are relying on maintained status
Employer letter confirming current employment and role (if currently working) plus recent pay stubs or T4 slips showing active Canadian employment
Proof of maintained status in Canada throughout the current permit period, plus any record of previous immigration decisions, refusals, or Canadian permits
Recent bank statements showing ability to self-support during BOWP validity, plus a copy of the PR application settlement-funds proof if applying under Express Entry FSWP or FSTP
Proof of accommodation in Canada (lease or ownership record) if available
Biometrics confirmation reused from the PR application if within 10-year validity, otherwise booked at a VFS Canada centre
Valid medical examination results — typically reused from the PR application if still valid
Police Clearance Certificate from every country of 6+ months residence since age 18 if requested by the visa officer, plus payment receipts for the CAD 155 work-permit fee, CAD 100 OWP holder fee, and CAD 85 biometrics fee where applicable
Additional documents and requirements may vary based on the specific Canada Bridging Open Work Permit, applicant profile, or immigration pathway

Application Process

How to Apply for a Canada Bridging Open Work Permit: Step-by-Step Process

Confirm BOWP Eligibility

Verify you meet the core conditions: physically in Canada, holding valid status, maintained status, or restoration eligibility, applying as the principal PR applicant, and holding the AOR or PR-stage proof required for your stream.

Secure AOR for Your PR Application

Obtain the Acknowledgement of Receipt letter from IRCC for your complete PR application. Without the AOR, a BOWP cannot be issued. For Express Entry applicants, the AOR is generated after submitting the e-APR following an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Prepare the Inland Online Application

Create or log in to your IRCC Secure Account. Start a new application using form IMM 5710 for inland work permit applications. Select the bridging open work permit category and attach all supporting documents under the correct upload slots.

Pay the Fees

Pay CAD 155 for the work permit and CAD 100 for the open work permit holder fee — total CAD 255. If biometrics are not already valid from a previous application, add CAD 85. All payment is processed online via credit card inside the IRCC Secure Account.

Submit Before Current Permit Expires

Submit the BOWP application while your current work permit is still valid whenever possible. Submitting before expiry may allow you to continue working under maintained status while the BOWP is being processed.

Complete Biometrics If Required

If your previous biometrics are older than 10 years or were never collected, book a VFS appointment. Most BOWP applicants have already provided biometrics with their PR application and do not need to repeat the step.

Continue Working Under Maintained Status

While the BOWP is in processing, you may continue working under maintained status if you applied before your current permit expired. If you leave Canada after your permit expires, IRCC says you cannot work until the new application is approved.

Receive BOWP and Bridge to PR

Once approved, IRCC issues the BOWP (typically valid up to 2 years). Download the permit from your IRCC account and inform your employer. Continue PR processing — when your PR is finalised, the BOWP is replaced by permanent resident status.

The Canada Bridging Open Work Permit is a narrow but essential tool for foreign workers whose PR application is in progress but whose current work permit is about to expire. It preserves legal employment during the Express Entry, CEC, FSWP, FSTP, or eligible PNP processing window — a critical safeguard for high-CRS applicants and provincial nominees who would otherwise face forced work interruptions or departure from Canada.

Because BOWP eligibility hinges on very specific conditions — an AOR or stream-specific PR proof, inland presence in Canada, valid or restorable status, and a qualifying PR program — applicants must plan submissions carefully. Spousal open work permit eligibility for BOWP holders is now tied to the January 21, 2025 SOWP rules, so couples should map both permits together.

Always check the IRCC processing-times tool and the current BOWP eligibility page at canada.ca before submitting. Program-specific proof requirements and PNP eligibility can shift — for a full walkthrough of related pathways, explore the linked Express Entry, Canadian Experience Class, and Open Work Permit guides.

For detailed insights on eligibility, document checklist, visa validity, and common refusal reasons, explore the Canada Work Visa hub for FAQs and related work permit guides.

Last updated June 22, 2026

Official IRCC sources used for this BOWP guide

Updated for current IRCC BOWP guidance

Source-backed by Canada.ca and IRCC fee pages

Immigration rules and processing times change often. Use these official pages as the final authority before paying fees or submitting documents.

Editorial reviewer

Prabu Rajasekaran

Study-Abroad Expert

Prabu Rajasekaran is a study-abroad writer and mentor with 12+ years of experience creating student guidance, test-prep resources, and Canada education/admissions content.

IRCC BOWP eligibility page IRCC PR work permits hub IRCC work permit fee list IRCC work permit processing times

FAQ

BOWP questions from PR applicants

You may be eligible if you are in Canada, are the principal applicant on an eligible permanent residence application, have the required AOR or PR-stage proof, and hold valid status, maintained status, or restoration eligibility. These answers are based on current IRCC BOWP guidance, but always match your PR stream against the official page before applying.

Usually no. A BOWP depends on proof that IRCC has received or advanced the eligible permanent residence application to the required stage. For Express Entry applicants, an Invitation to Apply or profile submission alone is not enough.

If you submitted the BOWP application before your current work permit expired, you may be able to keep working under maintained status while IRCC processes it. If you did not apply before expiry, you may need restoration and should not keep working unless IRCC rules allow it for your exact status.

A spouse or common-law partner may qualify for their own open work permit only if the current family open work permit rules are met. A BOWP by itself does not automatically make every family member eligible, so check the principal applicant's job, permit length, and status before filing.

Common refusal reasons include applying before the PR file reaches the required stage, being outside Canada, losing status, uploading the wrong AOR or nomination proof, having employment restrictions on a nomination, or applying under a PR stream that is not BOWP-eligible.

Some applicants may apply while eligible for restoration, but restoration does not give the same work rights as maintained status. If your status expired, confirm the current IRCC restoration rules before working or submitting the BOWP application.

Travel can create risk. IRCC states that if you leave Canada after your work permit expires, you cannot work until the new work permit application is approved. Travel can also affect your ability to rely on maintained status, so avoid unnecessary trips while the BOWP is pending.

Related Resources

Explore more about Canada Bridging Open Work Permit

Canada Work Visa Open Work Permit Spousal Open Work Permit Employer-Specific Work Permit Express Entry Canadian Experience Class Provincial Nominee Program Canada PR visa guide

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