Bridging Open Work Permit

A Bridging Open Work Permit is valid for up to 24 months from issuance. Its purpose is to keep federal economic class permanent residence applicants legally working while their PR application processes. The duration covers most processing timelines for Express Entry, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. If your PR is approved before the BOWP expires, you transition directly to permanent resident status. If processing exceeds 24 months, you must apply for another permit category to maintain status.

Once eligible, BOWP processing in 2026 typically takes 3 to 4 months for inland applications. You become eligible to apply once IRCC has acknowledged your PR application as complete (passed completeness check), which itself takes 3 to 6 months for Express Entry profiles after submitting the eAPR. So the realistic total wait from PR application submission to BOWP in hand is around 6 to 10 months. Apply for the BOWP at least 4 months before your current work permit expires.

BOWP eligibility requires you to be currently in Canada on a valid work permit (or eligible for restoration), and to have submitted a permanent residence application under Express Entry (FSWP, CEC, or FSTP), the Provincial Nominee Program, the Caregiver Pathways, the Agri-Food Pilot, or specific other federal economic streams. The PR application must have passed the completeness check, meaning IRCC issued an acknowledgment of receipt. You apply at least 4 months before your current permit expires. Government fee is $155 plus $85 biometrics.

BOWP holders can stay in Canada for up to 24 months while their PR application is processed. This covers most Express Entry and PNP timelines. If PR is approved during the BOWP, you transition to permanent resident status immediately. If your PR is refused, your BOWP becomes invalid and you must depart or apply for another permit. The BOWP cannot be extended past 24 months. April 2026 maintained status rules give you 365 days of continued work authorization if you applied for an extension.

There is no Canadian visa called a bridging visa, but the equivalent concept is the Bridging Open Work Permit. Eligibility requires being physically in Canada on a valid work permit (or restorable status), and having submitted a permanent residence application under a federal economic class such as Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program, the Caregiver Pathways, the Agri-Food Pilot, or other qualifying federal streams. The PR application must have passed the completeness check before you apply. The fee is $155 plus $85 biometrics.

Yes, if you apply for your BOWP before your current work permit expires, maintained status protects you. You can keep working under the same conditions as your previous permit until IRCC makes a decision. As of April 2026, maintained status extends up to 365 days, giving you a full year of continued work authorization. If your current permit expired before you applied, you cannot work and must apply for restoration of status within 90 days. Always apply early to avoid coverage gaps.

A Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) is a temporary open work permit that lets foreign workers in Canada keep working for any employer while their permanent residence application processes through a federal economic class. It bridges the gap between an expiring work permit and PR approval. It is valid for up to 24 months, allows any job at any location, and requires a PR application that has passed completeness check. The fee is $155 plus $85 biometrics. Apply at least 4 months before your current permit expires.

An Invitation to Apply alone does not make you BOWP-eligible. You become eligible only after submitting your full eAPR (electronic application for permanent residence) following the ITA, and after IRCC acknowledges receipt by passing completeness check. PNP candidates can apply for BOWP after their PR application acknowledgment of receipt is issued. So you need more than just the ITA: you need the AOR confirming your PR application is in processing. Submit the BOWP application 4 months before your current work permit expires.