Eligible PR programs
- Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades
- Provincial Nominee Program (through Express Entry or not) — your nomination must have no employment restrictions
- Quebec skilled workers and Quebec investors
- Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilots (2019–2024), the caregiver classes, and the Agri-Food Pilot
People who applied under the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots that opened in 2025 aren't eligible for a BOWP.
Conditions for Express Entry applicants
| Condition | What IRCC requires |
|---|---|
| Where you are | In Canada, and living outside Quebec |
| Status | Valid work permit, maintained status, or eligible to restore status |
| Your role | Principal applicant on the PR application |
| PR application | Submitted, passed the completeness check, and you have the acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) |
For non-Express Entry PNP applications, the PR application must have passed IRCC's eligibility assessment, not just the completeness check. You must still be in Canada with valid temporary status when IRCC decides on the BOWP.
Fee, length and family
- Fee: $255 — the $155 work permit fee plus the $100 open work permit holder fee.
- Length: IRCC's public page doesn't state a length. Its officer instructions say a BOWP is issued for 24 months; PNP-based BOWPs are limited to the nominating province.
- Family: per the same instructions, accompanying spouses, partners and dependent children of a BOWP holder can be eligible for an open work permit.
- Processing: BOWPs fall under "work permit extension in Canada", currently 10 weeks if you apply today (all processing times).
Typical path: PGWP → Canadian work → Express Entry invitation → PR application → BOWP if your current permit is about to expire.