Last Updated Apr 13, 2026

Traveling on a BOWP: Can You Re-Enter Canada and Travel with Pending PR in 2026?

Traveling on a BOWP Can You Re-Enter Canada and Travel with Pending PR in 2026

By Vineet Tiwari

BOWP

Executive Summary: Navigating Travel on a BOWP in 2026

Hello! I am RCIC Vineet. One of the biggest risks applicants take is attempting to travel with pending PR without understanding the strict border rules. If you are holding a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) or are currently on Maintained Status, leaving Canada can jeopardize your employment and residency.

  • A Work Permit is Not a Visa: A BOWP gives you the right to work, but it does not give you the right to re-enter Canada. You still need a valid TRV or eTA.
  • The Maintained Status Trap: If you leave Canada while waiting for your BOWP to be approved, you instantly lose your Maintained Status and cannot work upon return.
  • The eCOPR Dilemma: If your PR is approved while you are overseas, your TRV becomes invalid. You will need to apply for a PRTD to board a flight back to Canada.
  • The 2026 Recommendation: Unless it is an absolute emergency, do not book international flights until you have your physical PR card in hand.

Traveling on a BOWP: Can You Re-Enter Canada and Travel with Pending PR in 2026?

You have submitted your Permanent Residence application, and you have secured a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) to keep working while you wait. Understandably, after years of stress, you want to take a vacation. Or perhaps you have a family emergency back home. The burning question on every applicant's mind is: Can I safely travel with pending PR?

As a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), I receive frantic calls every week from clients stranded at foreign airports, denied boarding because they misunderstood the rules of a BOWP. To travel with pending PR requires flawless planning. Here is the unvarnished truth about re-entering Canada in 2026.

Planning to Travel While Waiting for PR? Book a Border Strategy Session

1. The Golden Rule: A BOWP is NOT a Travel Document

The most common mistake applicants make is assuming their physical work permit guarantees re-entry. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) states explicitly: a work permit is a status document, not a travel document.

If you plan to travel with pending PR, holding a valid BOWP is only half the equation. To board a commercial flight back to Canada, you must have one of the following:

  • A valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV): The physical sticker counterfoil in your passport.
  • A valid Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): If you are from a visa-exempt country.
The TRV Expiry Trap: Many graduates realize too late that their TRV expired on the same day as their original student visa or PGWP. If you have an approved BOWP but an expired TRV, you must apply for a new TRV from inside Canada before you leave. Processing times for TRVs in 2026 can take weeks. Do not book flights without checking this sticker!

2. The Maintained Status Trap: Leaving Without an Approved BOWP

What if your current work permit expired, you applied for a BOWP, and you are currently working legally under Maintained Status (formerly Implied Status)? Can you travel with pending PR while waiting for the BOWP to be approved?

Yes, you can leave. But you will lose your right to work.

Maintained status is a legal protection that only exists while you are physically inside Canada's borders. If you exit the country, that protection vanishes immediately. Here is what happens when you try to return:

Border ScenarioThe 2026 Legal Reality
Re-entering on Maintained Status (with a valid TRV/eTA)You will likely be allowed back into Canada as a Visitor. You must stop working immediately until your physical BOWP is finally approved and mailed to you.
Re-entering on Maintained Status (without a valid TRV)You will be denied boarding at the foreign airport. You cannot return to Canada until you apply for and receive a new visitor visa from abroad.

Because processing a BOWP inside Canada currently takes 80 to 120 days in 2026, traveling on maintained status means you could be sitting in Canada without a paycheck for months upon your return.

Don't Get Stranded at the Border

A single mistake at the border can cost you your job and jeopardize your PR application. Let our licensed RCIC team review your travel documents to guarantee a safe return to Canada.

Consult With RCIC Vineet Today

3. The eCOPR Dilemma: Getting Approved While Overseas

Let's say you have a valid BOWP and a valid TRV. You decide to travel with pending PR. While you are sitting on a beach in Mexico, you receive an email from IRCC: your Permanent Residence has been approved, and your electronic Confirmation of Permanent Residence (eCOPR) is issued.

You might think this is cause for celebration. In reality, it is a logistical nightmare.

The exact moment your eCOPR is issued, you are legally a Permanent Resident of Canada. This instantly invalidates your BOWP, your TRV, and your eTA. Permanent Residents are legally forbidden from using temporary travel documents to board commercial flights to Canada.

So, how do you get back?

  • Commercial Flight: You must apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) through a local visa application center abroad. In 2026, obtaining a PRTD can take weeks, leaving you stranded overseas.
  • US Land Border: If you have a valid US visa, you can fly into the United States and drive across the land border in a private vehicle, presenting your eCOPR to the CBSA officer.
The Golden Rule for 2026:
Because PR processing times are highly unpredictable right now, the safest strategy is simple: Do not travel internationally if you are expecting a final PR decision soon. Wait until you have your physical PR card in your hand.

4. Top 20 FAQs: Travel with Pending PR & BOWP Rules

To help you navigate these strict border policies, I have compiled the top 20 questions applicants are asking about how to travel with pending PR in 2026.

1. Can I travel with pending PR?

Yes, you can travel with pending PR, provided you have a valid passport and a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or eTA to re-enter Canada. Your pending PR application itself does not restrict your movement.

2. Does a BOWP allow me to re-enter Canada?

No. A Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) only gives you the right to work while inside Canada. To re-enter Canada on a commercial flight, you must also hold a valid TRV or eTA.

3. What happens if I leave Canada on maintained status?

If you leave Canada while waiting for a work permit extension (maintained status), you lose your right to work. Upon returning, you will enter as a visitor and must stop working until the new permit is approved.

4. Do I need a TRV if I have an approved BOWP?

Yes. If you are from a visa-requiring country, having a valid BOWP is not enough. You must apply for a new TRV from inside Canada before you travel internationally.

5. Can I travel if my PR is approved while I am outside Canada?

If you receive your eCOPR while overseas, your TRV/eTA becomes invalid. You cannot board a commercial flight without applying for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) from abroad.

6. What is a PRTD?

A Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) is a one-time visa issued to permanent residents who are outside of Canada and do not possess a valid PR card, allowing them to board a commercial carrier back to Canada.

7. Can I flagpole to get my BOWP instead of waiting?

No. The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) does not process Bridging Open Work Permits at land borders. You must apply for the BOWP online through the IRCC portal.

8. Does traveling delay my PR application processing?

Generally, no. However, if IRCC requests a domestic background check, biometrics, or issues your portal invitation while you are away, being unable to respond promptly can cause severe delays.

9. Can my spouse travel with pending PR?

Yes, the same rules apply. Your spouse can travel with pending PR provided they hold a valid TRV or eTA. If they are on maintained status for a Spousal Open Work Permit, leaving will forfeit their right to work upon return.

10. What if my TRV expires while I am waiting for PR inside Canada?

It is completely fine to have an expired TRV as long as you do not leave Canada. A TRV is only required for re-entry, not for maintaining legal status inside the country.

11. Can I enter Canada as a visitor if I lose my maintained status?

Yes. If you leave Canada on maintained status, CBSA will typically allow you back in as a visitor (if you have a TRV/eTA), but you must stop working immediately.

12. How long does it take to get a TRV on a BOWP in 2026?

Applying for a new TRV from inside Canada after receiving your approved BOWP typically takes between 14 to 30 days, depending on current IRCC processing volumes.

13. Is an eTA sufficient for travel with pending PR?

If you hold a passport from a visa-exempt country, yes, a valid eTA is sufficient to board a flight back to Canada, provided you also carry your valid BOWP to prove your worker status.

14. Can I use my eCOPR to board a flight to Canada?

No. Commercial airlines will not accept an electronic Confirmation of Permanent Residence (eCOPR) as a valid travel document. You must have a physical PR card or a PRTD.

15. What if I have a valid US visa, can I enter Canada?

If you are stuck overseas with an eCOPR, having a US visa allows you to fly into the United States. From there, you can cross the Canadian land border in a private vehicle using your eCOPR.

16. Can I drive across the US-Canada border with an eCOPR?

Yes. If traveling via a private vehicle (not a commercial bus or train) across the land border, CBSA officers will accept an eCOPR and a valid passport to allow you entry as a Permanent Resident.

17. Can I continue working remotely for my Canadian employer while abroad?

Canadian immigration law does not prohibit you from working remotely for a Canadian company while physically outside the country. However, you should consult your HR department regarding tax and payroll implications.

18. Will CBSA officers know I have a pending PR application?

Yes. When they scan your passport, CBSA officers can see your entire IRCC file, including your pending PR application, your BOWP status, and whether you are on maintained status.

19. Should I inform IRCC if I leave the country?

For short vacations, no. But if you plan to travel with pending PR for an extended period (e.g., several months), you should update IRCC via a Webform, as they may try to schedule your virtual landing.

20. Can I renew my passport while traveling with pending PR?

Yes, but be very careful. If you get a new passport, your existing TRV sticker in the old passport remains valid, but you must carry both passports. You must also update IRCC with your new passport details via Webform immediately to avoid delays in PR issuance.

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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.