A BOWP allows Provincial Nominees to keep working in Canada while their PR application is processed. As long as you apply before your current permit expires, you benefit from maintained status. The IRCC application fee is $255 CAD.
Transitioning from a temporary worker to a Permanent Resident is an exciting milestone, but the federal processing times can create significant anxiety. If you have been nominated by a Canadian province (PNP) and your current work permit is about to expire, you might worry about having to stop working or leave the country. Fortunately, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) offers the Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) to solve this exact problem.
A BOWP acts as a legal bridge. 📄 It allows eligible foreign workers who have already submitted a complete PR application to maintain their legal status and continue working seamlessly. Because it is an “open” work permit, you are generally free to change employers or locations within your nominating province without needing a new Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This provides immense peace of mind and job flexibility.
Step-by-Step Process in Canada
Whether you were nominated by Ontario (OINP), Alberta (AAIP), or British Columbia (BC PNP), the federal application process for the BOWP remains consistent. Many applicants choose to work with a dedicated law firm to ensure their PR submission confirmation or Acknowledgment of Receipt (AoR) and PNP certificates align perfectly with federal requirements.
Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility and PNP Restrictions
Not all Provincial Nominees qualify for a BOWP. 🔍 You must check your official Nomination Certificate. If it explicitly states that employment restrictions apply (meaning you are tied to a specific employer who supported your nomination), you cannot get an open BOWP. You must apply for a closed, employer-specific permit instead.
Step 2: Submit Your PR Application or Obtain Your AoR
Traditionally, you could not apply for a BOWP until IRCC reviewed your Permanent Residence application for completeness and issued an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AoR). However, under temporary operational measures effective June 9, 2026, in-Canada PNP candidates can apply for a BOWP without waiting for an AoR. Instead, you can use your online portal submission confirmation email along with proof of your PR fee payment as an alternative.
Step 3: Prepare the IMM 5710 Application
Log into your IRCC secure account and fill out form IMM 5710 (Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker). 💻 You will upload your valid passport, your PNP Nomination Certificate, your PR AoR letter (or your online portal submission confirmation email and PR fee payment receipt), and a digital photograph.
Step 4: Submit Before Your Current Permit Expires
Timing is absolutely critical. You must submit your BOWP application before midnight (UTC) on the day your current work permit expires. 📍 If you do this, you automatically benefit from “maintained status” (formerly known as implied status), allowing you to keep working under the exact same conditions while you wait for the new permit.
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
Because the BOWP is an open work permit, there are two distinct government fees attached to the application. Here is what you can expect to pay in Canadian dollars:
- Standard Work Permit Fee: IRCC charges $155 CAD to process the application.
- Open Work Permit Holder Fee: You must also pay an additional $100 CAD fee for the privilege of an open permit.
- Total Government Fees: $255 CAD total.
- Lawyer Fees: If you hire a professional to manage your PR and BOWP applications together, expect to pay between $2,000 and $4,000 CAD.
| Immigration Status | Your Right to Work in Canada |
|---|---|
| Maintained Status (Applied on time) | Can legally continue working exactly as before until a decision is made. |
| Restoration of Status (Applied late) | Must stop working immediately. Costs $401.25 CAD in total (including the $246.25 CAD restoration fee and $155 CAD work permit fee). |
How Long Does the Process Take?
Wait times for a BOWP can fluctuate wildly depending on IRCC’s backlog. Currently, processing an online work permit application from inside Canada typically takes between 2 to 4 months. However, because you have maintained status, this wait time does not negatively impact your ability to earn a living. You simply continue working normally, paying your taxes to the CRA, until the physical document arrives in the mail.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I travel outside of Canada while on maintained status?
You can physically leave Canada, but if you do, your maintained status to work ends immediately. When you return to the Port of Entry, you may be allowed back in as a visitor, but you cannot legally resume working until your actual BOWP is approved.
Can I apply for a BOWP if my current permit already expired?
No. If your permit expired, you must apply for a Restoration of Status within 90 days. During this restoration period, you are strictly prohibited from working.
Can my spouse get an open work permit too?
Yes. If you are approved for a BOWP, your spouse or common-law partner can generally apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) to extend their stay in Canada along with you.
Do I need to do a new medical exam for a BOWP?
Generally, if you completed an immigration medical exam for your PR application within the last 12 months, you will not need a new one just for the BOWP. However, IRCC retains the right to request one if you work in healthcare or agriculture.
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