Bridging Open Work Permits

In-Canada applicants who have made an application to immigrate to Canada under either the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Class, the Federal Skilled Trades (FST) Class, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or one of the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) may be considered for a bridging open work permit if their current work permit is due to expire (within four months). A foreign worker legally working in Canada who has made, or will soon make, an application for permanent residence under one of these immigration programs may then continue to work until a decision is made on his or her application for permanent residence.

To be eligible for a bridging open work permit, the following parameters must be met:

• The foreign national is currently in Canada
• He or she has valid status on a work permit that is due to expire within four months
• He or she is the principal applicant on an application for permanent residence under the FSWP, the CEC, the PNP or the FSTP
• He or she received a positive eligibility assessment on his or her application
• He or she has made an application for an open work permit

Please note that a foreign national does not qualify for a bridging work permit if:

• He or she has let his or her status expire
• His or her work permit is valid for longer than four months and/or he or she has a new LMIA that can be used as the basis for a new work permit application
• He or she is applying for a bridging work permit at the port of entry
• He or she is the spouse or dependent of the principal permanent resident applicant 
• He or she is a provincial nominee who has not submitted a copy of his or her nomination letter with the application for a bridging work permit, or whose nomination letter specifically indicates employment restrictions