Last Updated Apr 10, 2026

My work permit expires in 20 days. My PR application is submitted but not approved. Can I stay? Can I work? Answered

My work permit expires in 20 days. My PR application is submitted but not approved. Can I stay Can I work Answered

By Vineet Tiwari

Canadian Immigration

Executive Summary: Your Options Before Expiry

Hello! I am RCIC Vineet. One of the most stressful situations a temporary worker can face happens right at the finish line. Every day, clients come to me in a panic, stating: My work permit expires in 20 days. My PR application is submitted but not approved. Can I stay? Can I work? As of April 10, 2026, here is the exact strategy to secure your status.

  • The Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP): If you have an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) for your PR application, you can apply for a BOWP to extend your stay and your right to work.
  • Maintained Status: If you submit an extension application before your current permit expires, you legally remain in Canada and can keep working under the same conditions.
  • Visitor Record: If you do not qualify for a BOWP, you can apply to stay as a visitor, but you must stop working the day your work permit expires.
  • Every Case is Unique: A mistake here means losing your job and your legal status. Because eligibility varies heavily based on your specific PR stream, professional guidance is crucial.

My work permit expires in 20 days. My PR application is submitted but not approved. Can I stay? Can I work? (Answered for 2026)

You have done everything right. You completed your studies, secured a skilled job, gathered all your documents, and finally clicked "Submit" on your Permanent Residence (PR) application. But now, you are looking at the calendar in absolute panic. Your current Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) or closed work permit is running out of time.

It is the most common emergency scenario I deal with as a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC). The exact phrase I hear in my office is always the same: "My work permit expires in 20 days. My PR application is submitted but not approved. Can I stay? Can I work?"

The short answer is yes, you can stay, and yes, you can work. But it does not happen automatically. You must take immediate, precise action to protect your status in Canada. Here is your ultimate 2026 survival guide.

Work Permit Expiring? Book an Urgent Status Consultation Now

1. The Best Solution: The Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) created a specific safety net just for this exact situation. It is called the Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP). This permit "bridges" the gap between the expiry of your current work permit and the final decision on your PR application.

If you are asking, "My work permit expires in 20 days. My PR application is submitted but not approved. Can I stay? Can I work?", the BOWP is your golden ticket. However, you must meet strict criteria:

  • You must currently be in Canada with valid temporary resident status.
  • You must have submitted a complete PR application under an eligible economic class (such as Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program, etc.).
  • You must have received an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) from IRCC confirming your PR application is complete.
The Power of Maintained Status:
If you submit your BOWP application even one day before your current work permit expires, you gain "Maintained Status" (formerly known as implied status). This legally allows you to continue working for your employer under the exact same conditions while you wait for the BOWP to be approved.

2. What If I Don't Have My AOR Yet?

This is where the panic truly sets in. You submitted the PR application, but the AOR has not arrived in your portal, and the 20-day countdown is ticking.

In 2026, Express Entry AORs are usually generated automatically within 24 hours of submission. However, if you applied through a non-Express Entry Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) or another paper/portal-based stream, the AOR can take weeks or months.

If your permit is expiring and you lack the AOR to apply for a BOWP, you have two secondary options:

Alternative OptionHow It WorksCan I Work?
Apply for a Visitor RecordYou apply to change your status from a worker to a visitor before your permit expires. This keeps you in Canada legally while you wait for your PR.No. You must stop working on the exact day your current work permit expires.
Apply for an LMIA Closed Work PermitYour employer applies for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to keep you on staff, and you apply for a new closed work permit.Yes. If submitted before expiry, you get Maintained Status and can keep working for that specific employer.
Warning: Submitting PR Does Not Extend Your Status!
A massive mistake applicants make is assuming that hitting "Submit" on a PR profile automatically extends their right to stay and work. It does not. A PR application gives you zero legal status in Canada. You must submit a separate temporary residence extension (like a BOWP or Visitor Record) before your permit expires.

3. The Risk of Refusal: Why You Need a Custom Plan

When clients come to me and say, "My work permit expires in 20 days. My PR application is submitted but not approved. Can I stay? Can I work?", I immediately audit their PR application. Why?

Because if you apply for a BOWP, your Maintained Status is tied directly to the validity of your PR application. If IRCC reviews your PR application and rejects it for being incomplete (known as R10 rejection) missing a police certificate, an incorrect reference letter, or an invalid language test, your PR application is canceled. Consequently, your BOWP application will also be refused, and your Maintained Status vanishes instantly. You will be out of status and forced to stop working that very day.

Do Not Guess With Your Immigration Status

Every applicant's timeline, program eligibility, and document quality is different. A generic online search cannot save your job. Book a consultation with me today, and we will build a dedicated, bulletproof plan to keep you in Canada legally.

Consult With RCIC Vineet Now

4. Top 25 Reddit FAQs: Waiting for PR While Your Permit Expires

To provide you with the most comprehensive guide available in 2026, I have scoured forums like Reddit to find the exact questions people are asking when they face this crisis. Here are the top 25 genuine doubts answered clearly.

1. What happens if my work permit expires while waiting for PR?

If you do not apply for an extension before it expires, you lose your legal status and must stop working immediately. You will have 90 days to apply to restore your status as a visitor or leave the country.

2. My work permit expires in 20 days. My PR application is submitted but not approved. Can I stay? Can I work?

Yes, you can stay and work, but you must apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) before those 20 days are up. This grants you Maintained Status, allowing you to keep your job legally while waiting for the PR approval.

3. Can I apply for BOWP after my work permit expires?

No. You can only apply for a BOWP while you still have valid status on your current work permit. If it expires, you lose the ability to bridge your work authorization and must apply for Restoration of Status.

4. How long does BOWP processing take in 2026?

Processing times for online work permit extensions from inside Canada currently average between 80 to 120 days. However, because you have Maintained Status, you can continue working during this entire wait period.

5. Do I need an AOR to apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit?

Yes. The Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) proves to IRCC that your PR application has passed the initial completeness check. You must include this letter with your BOWP application.

6. Can I travel outside Canada on maintained status?

It is highly discouraged. If you leave Canada while on Maintained Status, you will lose your right to work upon your return until the new permit is officially approved and issued.

7. My PR is submitted but my PGWP expires tomorrow, what do I do?

Submit your BOWP application online immediately tonight. As long as the application is received by IRCC before midnight UTC on the day your permit expires, you will secure Maintained Status.

8. Does a visitor record allow me to work while waiting for PR?

Absolutely not. A visitor record only allows you to remain in Canada legally as a tourist. The moment your work permit expires, you must stop all employment activities.

9. What if my PR application is rejected while I am on maintained status?

If your PR application is rejected as incomplete (R10), your BOWP application will also be refused shortly after. Your Maintained Status ends the day the BOWP is refused, and you must stop working immediately.

10. Can I apply for a closed work permit while waiting for PR?

Yes. If your employer secures an LMIA or you qualify for an LMIA-exempt permit, you can apply for a closed work permit instead of a BOWP to maintain your legal status and right to work.

11. Can my spouse keep working if my work permit expires?

If you apply for a BOWP, your spouse can apply to extend their Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) alongside your application, allowing them to also benefit from Maintained Status.

12. How much is the BOWP fee in 2026?

The total fee for a Bridging Open Work Permit is $255 CAD, which includes the $155 standard work permit processing fee and the $100 open work permit holder fee.

13. Can I get maintained status if I apply for an extension on the last day?

Yes, but it is incredibly risky due to server crashes or time zone differences. As long as IRCC's system registers the submission before 11:59 PM UTC on your expiry date, you are safe.

14. Does my SIN expire when my work permit expires?

Yes, the expiry date on your Social Insurance Number (SIN) matches your work permit. However, Service Canada allows you to continue using the expired SIN legally as long as you can prove you have Maintained Status.

15. Can I keep my health insurance (OHIP/MSP) on maintained status?

Rules vary by province. In Ontario, you can often extend your OHIP coverage by providing Service Ontario with your IRCC submission confirmation letter showing you are on Maintained Status.

16. What if I haven't received my AOR yet and my permit expires?

If you apply for a BOWP without an AOR, it will likely be refused. The safest strategy is to apply to change conditions to a Visitor Record to maintain legal residency, though you must stop working.

17. Can I flagpole for a BOWP in 2026?

No. The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) explicitly states that Bridging Open Work Permits cannot be processed at the border via flagpoling. You must apply online from inside Canada.

18. If I stop working, do I have to leave Canada immediately?

If your permit expires and you did not apply for a visitor record or extension, you are out of status and must leave. If you applied for a visitor record, you can stay legally but cannot work.

19. What is the 90 day restoration period?

If you lose your temporary resident status, you have a 90-day grace period to apply for Restoration of Status. You must pay a penalty fee and you are not allowed to work while the application processes.

20. Can I transition from a closed work permit to a BOWP?

Yes. The BOWP is available to anyone holding a valid work permit (open or closed) who has submitted an eligible PR application. If approved, you will transition to an open work permit.

21. Will IRCC process my PR faster if my work permit is expiring?

No. IRCC does not prioritize Permanent Residence applications based on the expiry date of your temporary work permit. You must manage your own extensions.

22. Do I need a valid TRV if I have maintained status?

If you are from a visa-required country, you need a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to enter Canada. Maintained status only keeps you legal inside Canada; it does not give you a new visa to travel and return.

23. My employer wants to fire me because my permit expires, what are my rights?

Provide your employer with your IRCC submission confirmation and the official IRCC webpage explaining Maintained Status. This legally proves to HR that your Social Insurance Number and right to work remain valid.

24. Can I apply for a second PGWP while waiting for PR?

No. A PGWP is strictly a once in a lifetime permit. You must use the BOWP or a closed work permit pathway to extend your stay.

25. Should I hire an RCIC for a BOWP application?

Because your ability to stay in Canada and keep your job relies entirely on this application being flawless, hiring a licensed RCIC ensures you do not make a mistake that results in a refusal and loss of status.

Do Not Guess With Your Legal Status

The rules around work permit extensions are unforgiving. Let Liberty Immigration's licensed professionals submit your extension properly to secure your Maintained Status.

Consult With a Work Permit Expert Today

Related Blogs:

Written By

Vineet Tiwari

Vineet is a caring and creative leader who has lived in India, Oman, UAE, and Canada, giving him a rich multicultural perspective. His commitment to physical fitness keeps him energetic and focused. Vineet's dedication to his clients is evident as he often takes calls on weekends, ensuring they always feel supported and valued. His diverse background and unwavering availability help build strong, trusting relationships with our clients.