Your work permit is expiring, your PR application is still being processed, and you are not sure what your next move should be. Here is what every PR applicant in Canada needs to know about their work permit options, including a pathway that many applicants do not even realise is available to them.
If you have applied for permanent residence in Canada and your work permit is approaching its expiry date, you are not stuck. Canadian immigration law gives PR applicants two main pathways to keep working legally while their application is being processed. Choosing the right one and applying correctly can be the difference between a smooth transition to PR and a refusal that puts your entire status in Canada at risk.
At Bluefern Immigration Services, we work with PR applicants every week who are navigating this exact situation. In this post, we break down both options and outline the documents you need to give your application the best possible chance of approval.
The Two Work Permit Options for PR Applicants
When your work permit is expiring and you have already submitted your PR application, there are two main pathways to consider:
- Option 1: Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
- Option 2: Employer-Specific Work Permit (with PNP nomination support)
Each option serves a different group of applicants, and the eligibility rules are strict. Here is how they compare.
Option 1: The Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
The Bridging Open Work Permit is designed for foreign nationals in Canada who have applied for permanent residence and are waiting for a decision. It is called open because, in most cases, it allows you to work for any employer in Canada without being tied to one company.
Official IRCC Eligibility Criteria for a BOWP
To be eligible, you must meet all of the following:
- Live in Canada (and intend to live outside Quebec) at the time you apply for your BOWP. You may leave Canada while IRCC processes your application, but if you leave after your work permit expires, you cannot work until your new application is approved.
- Hold a valid work permit and temporary resident status, or have an expired work permit but maintained your status as a worker, or be eligible to restore your status and obtain a work permit
- Be the principal applicant on your permanent residence application
- Have submitted a complete PR application that has passed the completeness check. Submitting a profile to the Express Entry pool is not the same as applying for permanent residence.
- Have received your Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) letter from IRCC after your PR application was accepted
Who Is NOT Eligible for a BOWP
Meeting the eligibility criteria above is only one part of the picture. In practice, there are specific situations that disqualify applicants from the Bridging Open Work Permit, and these are the scenarios that catch many PNP applicants completely off guard.
You are not eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit if:
- Your provincial nomination carries an employment restriction. If your PNP nomination ties you to a specific employer, the BOWP pathway is not available to you. Your work authorization must remain tied to that employer through a different application route.
- You are no longer on a valid work permit and are not eligible to restore your status. If you have fallen out of status and the 90-day restoration window has passed, the BOWP is not an option.
This is one of the most common scenarios we troubleshoot at Bluefern Immigration Services, and getting the strategy wrong can lead to refusals, loss of status, and serious disruption to your PR pathway. If either of the situations above applies to you, the right next step is usually a new employer-specific work permit supported by your provincial nomination, not a BOWP.
Option 2: Employer-Specific Work Permit with a Provincial Nomination
This is where the second pathway comes in, and it is often the right option for PNP applicants whose nomination is tied to a specific employer. If you have been nominated by a province through an employer-supported stream and your employer is willing to continue employing you, you may be eligible to apply for a new employer-specific work permit. This pathway uses your provincial nomination as the basis for the application, supported by your employer’s compliance with program requirements.
Who This Option Typically Suits
- PNP applicants whose nomination is tied to a specific employer
- PNP applicants whose existing work permit is expiring or has already expired
- PNP applicants whose employer is committed to continuing the employment relationship
- Applicants whose situation makes the BOWP the wrong strategic fit
To succeed on this pathway, you will need:
- A valid provincial nomination letter issued specifically for the purpose of the work permit application
- Your employer’s commitment to pay the employer compliance fee and submit a compliant offer of employment through the IRCC employer portal
- Complete and accurately filled work permit application forms
- Strong supporting documentation
Side-by-Side Comparison: BOWP vs. Employer-Specific Work Permit
| Feature | Bridging Open Work Permit | Employer-Specific Work Permit (PNP) |
| Work for any employer? | Yes, in most cases | No, tied to nominating employer |
| Best for | PR applicants who meet all IRCC BOWP criteria and whose application is not employer-restricted | PNP applicants whose nomination is tied to a specific employer |
| Requires employer support? | No | Yes, including compliance fee and offer of employment |
| Requires AOR letter? | Yes | Not required for this pathway |
| Requires provincial nomination letter? | No, unless PNP-based | Yes, issued for the purpose of the work permit application |
| Typical duration | Up to 24 months | Varies, often up to 3 years |
| Can be used with restoration of status? | Yes, if eligible to restore | Yes, if eligible to restore |
Documents You Typically Need for a Successful Application
The exact document list will depend on your specific situation, but applicants in either category should generally be prepared with the following:
For Both Options
- Application form IMM 5710
- Valid passport and copies of all previous passports if applicable
- Current and previous Canadian immigration documents such as work permits, study permits, and visitor records
- Proof of your PR application submission, either your Acknowledgement of Receipt or equivalent confirmation
- Up-to-date resume reflecting your Canadian work experience
- Recent pay stubs and T4s confirming ongoing employment
- Employment reference letter or letter of employment from your current employer
- Digital photo meeting IRCC specifications
- Application fees, including the open work permit holder fee where applicable
Additional Documents for the BOWP Pathway
- Your Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) letter from IRCC
- Proof that you are the principal applicant on the PR application
- Proof of current valid status in Canada, or evidence of maintained status, or eligibility to restore
- Confirmation that you live in Canada and intend to live outside Quebec
Additional Documents for the Employer-Specific Work Permit Pathway (PNP)
- Valid provincial nomination letter issued for the purpose of the work permit application
- Detailed employer support letter confirming continued employment, position, salary, and duties
- Proof that the employer has paid the employer compliance fee and submitted a compliant offer of employment through the IRCC employer portal
- Evidence of the employer’s compliance with provincial program requirements
- If your status has expired, a complete restoration of status submission with a clear explanation and supporting documentation
If You Have a Previous Refusal
- A clear legal explanation addressing the specific reasons for the previous refusal
- Updated documentation demonstrating your eligibility under the correct pathway
Why the Right Strategy Matters
PR applicants often assume that because they have a provincial nomination or an active Express Entry profile, they automatically qualify for an open work permit. That assumption is incorrect. The rules are technical, and the consequences of choosing the wrong pathway, whether that is a refusal, loss of status, or an unexpected break in employment, are serious and can be difficult to recover from.
Working with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) means your situation is assessed properly the first time, the right pathway is selected for your specific circumstances, and your application is built in a way that anticipates the questions an immigration officer will ask. At Bluefern Immigration Services, we have helped clients avoid refusals, restore status, and continue working in Canada without interruption by getting the strategy right from the start.
Do Not Wait Until Your Work Permit Expires
The earlier you act, the more options you have. Whether you are deciding between the BOWP and an employer-specific permit, dealing with an expired work permit, or trying to understand how your provincial nomination fits into all of this, Bluefern Immigration Services is here to help you make the right call.
Book a consultation with Bluefern Immigration Services today and let us protect your status, your employment, and your path to permanent residence in Canada.