Can I get a bridging open work permit?
A bridging open work permit (BOWP) lets some permanent residence applicants keep working while IRCC decides. Who can get one depends on the PR program you applied to, your status in Canada, and how far your PR application has gone; a provincial nominee's nomination must not restrict their employment. A few questions find IRCC's rule for you.
Every quote below was checked word for word on IRCC’s own pages on October 8, 2026. Each answer names its source page and that page’s date.
What IRCC says, situation by situation
Yes, if you have your acknowledgement of receipt letter.
Yes, you may be eligible for a BOWP
In IRCC’s words:
“have submitted a complete application for permanent residence and passed the completeness check”
“have your acknowledgement of receipt letter”
“live in Canada (and intend to live outside Quebec) at the time you apply for your BOWP”
“select “Open work permit” as the type of work permit”
“pay the work permit processing fee and the open work permit holder fee”
“In most cases, you must apply online .”
“However, if you leave Canada after your work permit expires, you can’t work until your new application is approved.”
IRCC: how to apply for a bridging open work permit
Source: IRCC, page dated June 23, 2026
Yes, but the permit limits your work to your nominating province.
Yes, you may be eligible for a BOWP, limited to work in your nominating province
In IRCC’s words:
“Foreign nationals in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) are eligible for a BOWP only if they ... provided with their application a copy of the nomination letter issued by the nominating province or territory that indicates their employment is unrestricted ... selected “Open Work Permit” on their application form”
“electronic application for permanent residence (e-APR) submitted under Express Entry has passed the section R10 completeness check. This applies to the following classes: ... PNP (where the applicant is accepted through the provincial or territorial Express Entry stream)”
“When a BOWP is being issued to an applicant for permanent residence under the PNP, the employment location on the work permit must be restricted to the nominating province.”
IRCC: how to apply for a bridging open work permit
Source: IRCC, page dated July 30, 2025
Yes, but IRCC holds it until your PR application passes eligibility.
Yes, you may be eligible, but IRCC holds your BOWP until your PR application passes eligibility
In IRCC’s words:
“Foreign nationals in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) are eligible for a BOWP only if they ... provided with their application a copy of the nomination letter issued by the nominating province or territory that indicates their employment is unrestricted ... selected “Open Work Permit” on their application form”
“receipt of a positive eligibility assessment on their non-Express Entry APR submitted by mail or online under one of the following classes or pilots: ... PNP (where the applicant does not qualify for Express Entry)”
“Applicants under the non-Express Entry PNP are not issued an approval-in-principle letter. The applicants are required to provide proof of the acknowledgement of receipt letter for their permanent residence application. The processing office will put the BOWP application on hold until stage 1 eligibility is passed, and then a BOWP application can be assessed.”
“When a BOWP is being issued to an applicant for permanent residence under the PNP, the employment location on the work permit must be restricted to the nominating province.”
IRCC: how to apply for a bridging open work permit
Source: IRCC, page dated July 30, 2025
Not yet: you need your acknowledgement of receipt letter.
Not until you have your acknowledgement of receipt letter
In IRCC’s words:
“have your acknowledgement of receipt letter”
“We send this letter to your account after we get your permanent residence application”
“have submitted a complete application for permanent residence and passed the completeness check”
Source: IRCC, page dated June 23, 2026
Not yet: a profile in the pool is not a PR application.
Not yet: a BOWP needs a submitted PR application, not only a profile in the pool
Until you apply for permanent residence, keep your status by extending your current work permit.
In IRCC’s words:
“Submitting a profile to the pool is not the same as applying for permanent residence.”
“Don’t let your work permit expire while you wait for an invitation to apply. Maintain your status in Canada by extending your work permit .”
“Your employer may need to get a new Labour Market Impact Assessment or submit a new offer of employment for you to do this.”
Source: IRCC, page dated June 23, 2026
Not yet: your PR application must be submitted and pass eligibility.
Not yet: your PNP permanent residence application must be submitted and pass eligibility
In IRCC’s words:
“have submitted a complete application for permanent residence and passed the eligibility assessment”
“have your acknowledgement of receipt letter”
Source: IRCC, page dated June 23, 2026
No: with employment restrictions, IRCC issues no BOWP.
Not a BOWP: a nomination that restricts your employment leads to the employer-specific nominee work permit (code T13)
In IRCC’s words:
“Where the nomination letter issued by the province indicates that the employment is restricted to a specific employer, the nominee is not eligible to apply for a bridging open work permit.”
“They are allowed to apply for another employer-specific work permit if eligible.”
“A person may be issued a work permit without requiring an LMIA, if they have a valid nomination from a province (other than Quebec) for permanent residence and a job offer from an employer based in that province.”
“have a valid nomination from a province (other than Quebec) for permanent residence or proof that their application for permanent residence was submitted prior to expiry of the nomination”
“have an LMIA-exempt offer of employment from an employer based in the nominating province”
“have a provincial support letter indicating the urgent requirement for the foreign national to begin the job prior to permanent residence”
“Officers should not request the nomination certificate as provincial nominees are not issued a copy”
Source: IRCC, page dated November 17, 2022
Not yet: but as a nominee you may first apply for an employer-specific T13 permit.
Not a BOWP yet, but a nominee can apply for an employer-specific work permit (code T13) before applying for permanent residence
In IRCC’s words:
“Provincial nominees can apply for a work permit under the administrative code T13 [R204(c)] before submitting an application for permanent residence under the PNP unless the nomination is expired (prior to submission) or paused.”
“A person may be issued a work permit without requiring an LMIA, if they have a valid nomination from a province (other than Quebec) for permanent residence and a job offer from an employer based in that province.”
“have a valid nomination from a province (other than Quebec) for permanent residence or proof that their application for permanent residence was submitted prior to expiry of the nomination”
“have an LMIA-exempt offer of employment from an employer based in the nominating province”
“have a provincial support letter indicating the urgent requirement for the foreign national to begin the job prior to permanent residence”
“Officers should not request the nomination certificate as provincial nominees are not issued a copy”
Source: IRCC, page dated November 17, 2022
Yes, if you meet the Manitoba bridge's conditions.
Possibly: Manitoba's temporary Workforce Transition Bridge can give an open work permit (the public policy runs until December 31, 2027)
In IRCC’s words:
You hold a valid work permit: “Holds a valid work permit;”
Or: your work permit was valid on May 7, 2024 and has since expired: “Held a valid work permit on May 7, 2024 but that permit has since expired;”
Or: you were working on maintained status on May 7, 2024: “Is authorized to work pursuant to paragraph 186(u) of the Regulations on May 7, 2024, after having submitted a work permit renewal application under section 201 of the Regulations on or before May 7, 2024;”
“will provide eligible foreign nationals who have a support letter from the Government of Manitoba issued on or before December 31, 2025, outlining their placement in the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program’s Expression of Interest pool also by December 31, 2025 following an initial assessment of the candidate by the Government of Manitoba, and have a letter of employment from their current employer, to be issued an open work permit.”
“This public policy will expire on December 31, 2027 and may be revoked at any time, without prior notice.”
Source: IRCC, page dated August 5, 2026
No, unless one of the three work-permit situations applies to you.
Not on what you answered: the Manitoba bridge needs one of three work-permit situations
In IRCC’s words:
You hold a valid work permit: “Holds a valid work permit;”
Or: your work permit was valid on May 7, 2024 and has since expired: “Held a valid work permit on May 7, 2024 but that permit has since expired;”
Or: you were working on maintained status on May 7, 2024: “Is authorized to work pursuant to paragraph 186(u) of the Regulations on May 7, 2024, after having submitted a work permit renewal application under section 201 of the Regulations on or before May 7, 2024;”
“will provide eligible foreign nationals who have a support letter from the Government of Manitoba issued on or before December 31, 2025, outlining their placement in the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program’s Expression of Interest pool also by December 31, 2025 following an initial assessment of the candidate by the Government of Manitoba, and have a letter of employment from their current employer, to be issued an open work permit.”
Source: IRCC, page dated August 5, 2026
No: it is applied for in Canada.
Not from outside Canada: the Manitoba bridge is applied for with an extension of your stay in Canada
In IRCC’s words:
“an extension of their authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident under section 181 of the Regulations”
“Holds a valid work permit;”
“Held a valid work permit on May 7, 2024 but that permit has since expired;”
Source: IRCC, page dated August 5, 2026
Yes, if your nomination letter shows no restrictions on employment.
It depends on the “Restrictions on employment” field of your nomination letter
In IRCC’s words:
“Provinces and territories have been instructed to choose “Yes” or “No” in the “Restrictions on employment” field, as this provides IRCC officers with confirmation of whether or not the nominee is, in fact, eligible to apply for a BOWP.”
“Provinces and territories may include an employer or the name of the occupation and the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code and still indicate that there are no employment restrictions.”
Source: IRCC, page dated July 30, 2025
No, but you may get one once the principal applicant has a BOWP.
Not as a spouse or dependant: a BOWP is for the principal applicant
In IRCC’s words:
“spouses and dependants of principal permanent residence applicants”
“This cohort of foreign nationals has access to work permits under different LMIA exemption categories.”
“genuine accompanying spouses, common-law partners and dependent children are eligible for an open work permit under administrative code C49 if the principal foreign national was issued a BOWP under administrative code A75.”
Source: IRCC, page dated July 30, 2025
No, unless you hold a work permit, have maintained status, or can restore it.
Not without a work permit, maintained status as a worker, or eligibility to restore it
In IRCC’s words:
“meet one of the following criteria at the time of submission:”
“have valid temporary resident status and authorization to work as the holder of a valid work permit”
“have maintained status and authorization to work under paragraph 186(u) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) as a result of submitting an application to renew their work permit under subsection R201(1)”
“be eligible to restore their temporary resident status with authorization to work on a work permit”
“foreign nationals in Canada under section R186 who are exempt from the work permit requirement, except those under paragraph R186(u)”
“This cohort is not transitioning from a work permit to permanent residence.”
Source: IRCC, page dated July 30, 2025
No: you must be in Canada to apply.
Not from outside Canada
In IRCC’s words:
“foreign nationals applying for a BOWP at a port of entry or visa office (as they have not yet been authorized to enter as a temporary resident under section A22 )”
“currently be in Canada after being authorized to enter as a temporary resident under section 22 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA)”
“There is a significant benefit to applicants being physically in Canada and working while transitioning to permanent residence.”
Source: IRCC, page dated July 30, 2025
Yes, if your PR application is approved in principle.
Yes, once your PR application is approved in principle
In IRCC’s words:
“be approved in principle for permanent residence”
“be the principal applicant on your permanent residence application”
“live in Canada (and intend to live outside Quebec) at the time you apply for your BOWP”
“a copy of the letter we send you after your permanent residence application is approved in principle (approval in principle letter)”
IRCC: how to apply for a bridging open work permit
Source: IRCC, page dated June 23, 2026
Yes, if you applied before June 18, 2019 and are approved in principle.
Only if you applied before the classes closed on June 18, 2019, and are approved in principle
In IRCC’s words:
“have submitted a complete application for permanent residence before the programs closed on June 18, 2019”
“be approved in principle for permanent residence”
“be the principal applicant on your permanent residence application”
“live in Canada (and intend to live outside Quebec) at the time you apply for your BOWP”
IRCC: how to apply for a bridging open work permit
Source: IRCC, page dated June 23, 2026
Yes, if approved in principle with 6 months of qualifying experience.
Yes, once you are approved in principle and prove 6 months of qualifying work experience
In IRCC’s words:
“To be eligible for a BOWP under these pilots (opened from 2019 to 2024), you must”
“be approved in principle for permanent residence”
“prove you have 6 months of qualifying work experience”
“have applied to extend your work permit before your original permit expired”
“live in Canada (and intend to live outside Quebec) at the time you apply for your BOWP”
IRCC: how to apply for a bridging open work permit
Source: IRCC, page dated June 23, 2026
No: the 2025 Home Care Worker Immigration pilots carry no BOWP.
No: the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots (opened in 2025) carry no BOWP
In IRCC’s words:
“If you applied under the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots, you’re not eligible for a BOWP.”
Source: IRCC, page dated June 23, 2026
Yes, if you hold a CSQ and passed the completeness check.
Yes, with a CSQ, once your PR application passes the completeness check
In IRCC’s words:
“hold a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ)”
“Your CSQ must have been valid when you applied for permanent residence.”
“have passed a completeness check for permanent residence”
“applied for permanent residence as a Quebec investor and passed a completeness check”
“live in Canada and intend to live in Quebec”
IRCC: how to apply for a bridging open work permit
Source: IRCC, page dated June 23, 2026
No: a BOWP is only for the PR programs IRCC lists.
Not under a program IRCC does not list for a BOWP
In IRCC’s words:
“You may be eligible for a BOWP if you applied to one of the permanent residence programs below.”
IRCC: how to apply for a bridging open work permit
Source: IRCC, page dated June 23, 2026
What would change the answer
- Your PR application passing the completeness check, shown by your acknowledgement of receipt letter.
- Keeping your work permit valid, or applying to extend it before it expires (maintained status).
- For a provincial nominee: whether the nomination letter restricts your employment.
What you might not have asked yet
- Waiting on a work permit extension: can you keep working while IRCC decides?
- Can your spouse or partner work while you wait for permanent residence?
- Not in Express Entry yet: which of its programs would fit you?
Sources
- IRCC › work-canada/pr-work-permits/bridging · page dated June 23, 2026
- IRCC › publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/foreign-workers/provincial-nominees-permanent-resident-applicants/bridging-open-work-permits · page dated July 30, 2025
- IRCC › publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/foreign-workers/exemption-codes/federal-provincial-territorial-agreements-r204-lmia-exemption-code-t13/nominated-by-province · page dated November 17, 2022
- IRCC › mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/public-policies/prospective-pnp-applicants · page dated August 5, 2026
Other answers
- Am I eligible for an Express Entry program?
- As a caregiver, can I change jobs, move, or apply for PR?
- As an asylum claimant, can I get a work or study permit?
- Can a positive LMIA be changed?
- Can I apply for a study permit from inside Canada (or for my child)?
- Can I apply for a work permit from inside Canada?
- Can I apply for a work permit when I arrive at the border?
- Can I change employers on my work permit?
- Can I change the sex or gender identifier on my IRCC documents?
- Can I come to Canada as a business visitor, without a work permit?
- Can I come to Canada with a criminal record?
- Can I get a post-graduation work permit, and can I work while I wait?
- Can I get an immigration loan, and how do I repay it?
- Can I get two-week work permit processing?
- Can I immigrate as a self-employed person or start-up founder?
- Can I include or sponsor my child, and up to what age?
- Can I keep my permanent resident status, and travel without a PR card?
- Can I keep working while my work permit extension is processed?
- Can I leave Canada and come back on my permit or status?
- Can I sponsor a refugee?
- Can I sponsor my parents or grandparents?
- Can I stay in Canada as a visitor, and for longer than I was given?
- Can I take a short course in Canada without a study permit?
- Can I take free government-funded language classes?
- Can I take part in International Experience Canada (again)?
- Can I work while I study in Canada?
- Can my family come with me while I work or study in Canada?
- Can my spouse or partner work in Canada?
- Could a health condition make me inadmissible to Canada (excessive demand)?
- Do I need a language test, and which one counts?
- Do I need a representative, and who may help me?
- Do I need a visa or an eTA to come to Canada?
- Do I need an immigration medical exam?
- Do I need police certificates?
- Do I need to give biometrics (fingerprints and photo), or give them again?
- Does my credential assessment (ECA) let me work in my profession?
- Does the employer have to invite Job Match candidates?
- Does the low-wage cap apply to this employer?
- Does this LMIA job ad meet ESDC's advertising rules?
- My application was refused: can I still do something about it?
- My employer is treating me unfairly: can I get help and keep my status?
- Will I lose my other citizenship if I become Canadian?
Written by AHI Life from IRCC’s own pages; the quotes are IRCC’s words, re-read on their pages every day. General information, not legal advice, and not yet reviewed by a licensed consultant (RCIC). Only a licensed representative may charge you for immigration advice.