Express Entry applicants
FSW, CEC and FST applicants whose electronic application has reached the required stage.
Most common
Bridging open work permit
Don’t stop working waiting for PR.
A bridging open work permit exists for one reason: your permanent residence application is in process, your current permit is running out, and nobody benefits from you having to stop work. Timing is everything.
RCIC-led
Brampton & London
Reviewed July 2026
PR in process
Core rule
Your application must have reached a qualifying stage.
Open permit
What you get
Not tied to your current employer.
Before expiry
Timing
You generally must apply while your current permit is still valid.
Keeps you working
The point
Continuity of income and of Canadian work experience.
Who qualifies
Which PR applicants can bridge.
Eligibility depends on your permanent residence stream and how far your application has progressed.
Provincial nominees
Nominated applicants who have submitted their permanent residence application.
Caregiver applicants
Applicants under caregiver pathways at the qualifying stage of processing.
Agri-food and pilot streams
Certain economic pilots allow bridging where the application has progressed far enough.
Spouses being sponsored in Canada
A separate open work permit route generally applies to inland sponsorship.
Different routeAnyone close to expiry
If your permit expires soon and your PR is filed, this is the question to ask immediately.
The rules
What has to be true.
A qualifying PR application
Your permanent residence application must be in process and past the stage your stream requires.
Valid status now
You generally need to hold valid status and a work permit that is close to, but not past, expiry.
You must be in Canada
A bridging permit is an in-Canada mechanism.
Apply in the window
Typically within four months of your current permit expiring — not after it has expired.
It follows your PR
Validity is generally tied to your permanent residence processing, not a fixed term.
Conditions still apply
Open does not mean unrestricted — medical requirements apply to some occupations.
How we help
How we help.
01
Map the timing
We work backwards from your permit expiry and your PR stage to find the right filing window.
02
Prove the PR stage
The acknowledgement of receipt and stream evidence must be presented correctly.
03
File before expiry
So maintained status protects your ability to keep working while a decision is pending.
04
Plan for landing
We keep your permit and PR timelines aligned right through to landing.
Free eligibility check
Is your permit expiring during PR?
Send us your permit expiry and your PR stage and a licensed RCIC will tell you whether a BOWP is available and when to file.
- Whether your PR application has reached a qualifying stage.
- Exactly when your filing window opens and closes.
- How to protect your right to keep working.
- What to do if your permit already expired.
Check your eligibility
Reviewed by a licensed RCIC, usually the same business day.
Thanks — we’ll be in touch
A licensed RCIC will review your details and reach out, usually the same business day.
Message us on WhatsApp Good to know
Questions, answered.
What is a bridging open work permit?
It is an open work permit for people who have already applied for permanent residence and whose existing work permit is nearing expiry. It bridges the gap so you can keep working while IRCC finishes processing your permanent residence application.
When should I apply?
Generally while your current work permit is still valid and close to expiry, commonly within about four months of that expiry date. Applying too early can result in a refusal; applying too late can cost you your ability to work. The window matters.
What if my work permit already expired?
A bridging permit is not designed for that situation. You may need to apply for restoration of status within ninety days, which is time-sensitive and carries risk. If you are in this position, treat it as urgent.
Can I change employers on a BOWP?
Yes. It is an open permit, so you are not tied to the employer named on your previous permit. Bear in mind that some permanent residence streams, particularly provincial nominations, may have expectations about the job that supported your nomination.
How long is it valid?
Validity is generally linked to your permanent residence processing rather than a fixed period, and it may be issued for a defined term with the possibility of further extension if processing continues.
Does my spouse get one too?
Your spouse may be eligible for their own open work permit depending on your occupation and status, under the spousal open work permit rules that changed in 2025. We assess the household together.