Bridging Open Work Permits in Canada: Who Qualifies and How They Help You Keep Working
For many temporary foreign workers, one of the biggest concerns is what happens when their work permit is about to expire while they are waiting for a decision on their permanent residence application.
A Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) can provide an important solution. It allows eligible applicants to continue working in Canada while Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) processes their permanent residence application.
Understanding whether you qualify—and when to apply—is essential. Applying too early, too late, or under the wrong immigration stream can result in a refusal and potentially affect your ability to continue working in Canada.
What Is a Bridging Open Work Permit?
A Bridging Open Work Permit is an open work permit that allows certain permanent residence applicants to continue working while awaiting a final decision on their PR application.
Unlike most employer-specific work permits, a Bridging Open Work Permit generally allows you to work for almost any employer in Canada without first obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
The purpose of the program is straightforward: to prevent skilled workers who are already contributing to Canada’s economy from having to stop working simply because their permanent residence application is still being processed.
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility depends on several factors, including your immigration status and the type of permanent residence application you have submitted.
Generally, applicants must:
Be physically present in Canada.
Hold valid temporary resident status.
Have a work permit that is nearing expiry or have maintained status after submitting an extension application.
Have submitted a complete permanent residence application under an eligible immigration program.
Have received confirmation that the permanent residence application has passed the completeness check (where applicable).
Which Permanent Residence Programs Qualify?
Bridging Open Work Permits are commonly available for applicants under programs such as:
Express Entry
Federal Skilled Worker Program
Canadian Experience Class
Federal Skilled Trades Program
Provincial Nominee Program (in qualifying circumstances)
Certain caregiver pathways
Agri-Food Pilot (where applicable)
Other eligible economic immigration programs identified by IRCC
Eligibility requirements can change over time, and not every permanent residence pathway qualifies for a Bridging Open Work Permit.
When Should You Apply?
Timing matters.
Many applicants mistakenly wait until after their work permit expires before taking action.
Ideally, you should review your eligibility several months before your current work permit expires. This gives enough time to:
confirm that your PR application qualifies;
gather supporting documents;
submit the work permit application before your existing authorization expires; and
avoid unnecessary interruptions to your employment.
If you apply before your current work permit expires, you may be able to continue working under maintained status while IRCC processes your application, provided you otherwise meet the legal requirements.
Is a Bridging Open Work Permit Truly “Open”?
Usually, yes.
Unlike employer-specific work permits, a Bridging Open Work Permit generally allows you to:
change employers;
accept new employment;
work in different occupations; and
work in most provinces without obtaining a new work permit.
However, there are exceptions.
For example, some Provincial Nominee Program applicants may receive work permits with conditions restricting where they may work depending on the basis of their nomination.
Common Reasons Applications Are Refused
Although the process appears straightforward, Bridging Open Work Permit applications are frequently refused because applicants:
apply before becoming eligible;
submit the wrong type of work permit application;
have not filed an eligible permanent residence application;
no longer have valid temporary resident status;
misunderstand IRCC’s eligibility requirements; or
fail to include the required supporting documents.
A refusal can have significant consequences, particularly if your existing work authorization expires before the issue is corrected.
What If Your Work Permit Is About to Expire?
Waiting until the final weeks before expiry can significantly limit your options.
Depending on your circumstances, there may be other strategies available, including applying under a different work permit category or pursuing restoration of status if eligibility has already been lost.
If your work permit is nearing expiry, obtaining legal advice early can help identify the most appropriate strategy before deadlines are missed.
If your work permit has already expired, you may also wish to read our guide on Maintained Status in Canada: What It Means After Your Work Permit Expires, which explains when you may legally continue working while an application is pending and when you cannot.
How a Lawyer Can Help
Whether you qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit is not always obvious. Eligibility often depends on the interaction between your current immigration status, the permanent residence stream you applied under, and IRCC’s evolving policies.
An immigration lawyer can help:
determine whether you qualify;
identify the best timing for your application;
prepare a complete application;
avoid unnecessary refusals; and
advise you if your work permit has already expired or if your application has been refused.
Receiving proper advice before filing can often prevent delays and protect your ability to continue working legally in Canada.
Contact Summit Point Law
If your work permit is expiring and you have applied—or are planning to apply—for permanent residence, Summit Point Law can assess whether a Bridging Open Work Permit is available and help you prepare the strongest possible application.
We advise workers across Canada on work permits, permanent residence applications, maintained status, judicial reviews, and other complex immigration matters.