Beyond the well-known PGWP, SOWP, and IEC streams, Canada issues several specialized open work permits for specific situations. This page covers the five most common: Co-Op, Bridging OWP, Vulnerable Worker OWP, PNP-linked OWP, and the Hong Kong pathway.
Co-Op Work Permit — for international students in Canada
If you're a study permit holder and your program requires a co-op, internship, or work placement as part of the curriculum, you need a separate Co-Op Work Permit. It's issued alongside the study permit but is a distinct authorization.
Co-Op Work Permit eligibility
- Valid study permit at a DLI
- Work is essential to completing your program (confirmed by a letter from the school)
- Work doesn't exceed 50% of total program duration
- Not eligible: language programs (ESL/FSL), general arts programs without curriculum work
Step-by-step
- Get a Co-Op Letter from your DLI registrar/co-op office confirming work is required
- Apply online while in Canada (no separate fee — usually issued with the study permit if requested at time of study permit application)
- Receive permit valid for the program duration
- Begin co-op employment — open permit, any employer matching your program's co-op approval
Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) — for PR applicants
The Bridging Open Work Permit lets you keep working in Canada while your permanent residence application is processed. Without a BOWP, expiring work permits force you to either stop working or leave Canada — a major problem for PR applicants waiting 6–24 months for decisions.
BOWP eligibility (post-2024 rules)
- Currently in Canada on a valid work permit (or under maintained/implied status)
- Have submitted a PR application under any of these programs:
- Express Entry (FSW, FSTW, CEC) — must have ITA received and e-APR submitted
- Provincial Nominee Program (after nomination)
- Quebec Skilled Worker (after CSQ)
- Caregiver programs (after PR application submitted)
- Agri-Food Pilot (legacy applicants only)
- Current work permit expires within 4 months (apply when within the window)
- PR application has passed completeness check (AOR received)
BOWP duration
Initial BOWP is valid for up to 24 months (extended in 2023; was 12 months previously). If your PR is still pending after 24 months, you can apply for a BOWP renewal.
BOWP application
- Confirm PR application is "passed completeness" (you have an Acknowledgment of Receipt)
- Apply online via IRCC portal — typically within the 4-month-before-expiry window
- Pay $255 ($155 + $100 OWP holder fee)
- Continue working under maintained status while waiting
- Receive new permit valid up to 24 months
Vulnerable Worker Open Work Permit
If you're a foreign worker in Canada experiencing or at risk of abuse from your employer (wage theft, physical/sexual abuse, retaliation, dangerous working conditions, etc.), you can apply for a Vulnerable Worker OWP. This emergency permit lets you leave the abusive employer immediately and find new work.
Key features
- Fee waived — no $155 permit fee or $100 OWP fee
- Expedited processing — typically within 5 business days
- Open permit — work for any employer in Canada
- Initial validity: 12 months (can extend if circumstances continue)
- Confidentiality protections — application doesn't trigger notification to the abusive employer
What counts as "abuse"
- Physical, sexual, or psychological abuse
- Financial abuse (wage theft, withholding pay, illegal deductions)
- Threats of deportation or retaliation
- Forced labour or trafficking-like conditions
- Unsafe working conditions in violation of provincial labour laws
Application
- Contact a settlement agency, legal aid clinic, or RCIC — many offer free help
- Submit application online with a personal statement explaining the abuse
- Supporting evidence helpful but not required (pay stubs showing theft, medical records, police report, etc.)
- Decision typically within 5 business days
- If denied, you remain on your current permit; you can re-apply with more evidence
PNP-Linked Open Work Permit
Some Provincial Nominee Programs issue support letters that let nominees apply for an Open Work Permit before completing their federal PR application. This bridges the gap between nomination and PR landing.
Available in (select provinces)
- British Columbia PNP — nominees in skilled-worker / express-entry streams
- Ontario OINP — Employer Job Offer nominees (often combined with LMIA-exempt support)
- Manitoba MPNP — nominees with employer support letter
- Saskatchewan SINP — nominees in specific streams
- New Brunswick — nominees with provincial support
Requirements
- Provincial nomination certificate
- Provincial support letter requesting an OWP for the nominee
- Currently outside Canada OR inside Canada with valid status
- Intent to file federal PR application within stated timeframe
Hong Kong Open Work Permit pathway
Launched in 2021 in response to political changes in Hong Kong, this special pathway gives Hong Kong residents access to an Open Work Permit and a streamlined PR application.
Eligibility (extended through 2026)
- Hong Kong SAR or BNO passport holder
- Graduated within the last 10 years from a Canadian or recognized foreign post-secondary institution (bachelor's or higher, OR 2+ year diploma)
- Currently outside Canada OR inside Canada with valid status
- Admissibility: standard medical, criminal, security checks
What you get
- 3-year Open Work Permit
- Eligibility for two PR streams:
- Stream A: recent graduates of a Canadian institution (in the last 3 years)
- Stream B: 1+ year of Canadian work experience after using the Hong Kong OWP
- Spouse and dependent children can accompany
Comparison — picking the right OWP
| OWP type | Fee | Duration | For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Co-Op | $0 (with study permit) | Program length | Students with co-op curriculum |
| Bridging (BOWP) | $255 | Up to 24 months | PR applicants with submitted PR |
| Vulnerable Worker | FREE | 12 months (extendable) | Workers facing employer abuse |
| PNP-linked | $255 | Tied to nomination | Provincial nominees |
| Hong Kong | $255 | 3 years | HK passport holders, recent grads |
Useful official resources
- IRCC — Co-Op Work Permit
- IRCC — Bridging Open Work Permit
- IRCC — Open Work Permit for Vulnerable Workers
- IRCC — Hong Kong pathway streams
Not sure which OWP fits? Some applicants qualify for multiple OWPs simultaneously (e.g. BOWP + PNP-linked) and picking the strongest one matters. Our RCICs map every available open-permit option to your specific situation. Book a free OWP assessment.
