Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) Guide
How to bridge your temporary work permit while your Canadian permanent residency application is being processed.
You cannot submit a BOWP application without an official **Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR)** letter from IRCC. The AOR is issued automatically in your portal once your Express Entry or provincial nominee PR application is successfully submitted and paid.
BOWP Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit, you must satisfy five core parameters:
- PR Application Pending: Have submitted a complete permanent residency application under one of the qualifying programs (CEC, FSW, FST, PNP, Agri-Food pilot, or Quebec Skilled Worker).
- Hold an Active Work Permit: You must currently hold a valid work permit (such as a PGWP, LMIA closed permit, or spouse open permit) at the time of submission.
- Expiration Rules: Your current work permit must be expiring in **4 months or less** OR you must be on maintained status having applied for an extension before expiry.
- Reside in Canada: You must be physically living inside Canada when you submit the application. Applicants living in Quebec are eligible but subject to different nomination rules.
- AOR Upload: You must provide a copy of your official IRCC Acknowledgment of Receipt letter showing your PR file has passed the completeness check.
How to Submit Your BOWP Application
Follow these steps to file your BOWP application through the IRCC Secure Portal:
- Create an Application: Log in to your IRCC portal and select "Apply to remain in Canada as a temporary resident".
- Answer Eligibility Questionnaire: Answer "Yes" to having applied for PR and holding a valid work permit expiring soon. The system will generate a checklist for an "Open Work Permit".
- Upload Required Forms: Complete Form **IMM 5710** (Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker).
- Attach AOR Letter: Combine your Acknowledgment of Receipt letter and your current work permit page into a single PDF and upload it under "Proof of PR Application".
- Pay Fees: Pay the standard work permit fee (**$155 CAD**) and the open work permit holder fee (**$100 CAD**), bringing the total to **$255 CAD**.
Maintained Status (Implied Status) Rules
If your current work permit expires *after* you have successfully submitted your BOWP application:
- Legality to Work: You are legally authorized to **continue working** under the same conditions (and with the same employer) while waiting for IRCC to process your BOWP.
- Travel Warning: If you leave Canada while on maintained status, you lose your authorization to work. You must wait inside Canada until your new BOWP card is issued.
This guide compiles official work permit guidelines and bridging open work permit parameters sourced directly from:
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) BOWP Eligibility Guide: canada.ca/bowp-guide
• IRCC Work Permit Extension Manual (IMM 5710 instructions): canada.ca/implied-status-rules