Being in limbo with your immigration status is one of the most stressful phases of the immigration process in Canada. Your application for permanent residence has been submitted, your documents have passed preliminary screening, but your PR card has not yet arrived and your work permit is about to expire. This is not just a bureaucratic task — it is a matter of your ability to keep your job, pay your rent, and remain legally in Edmonton during the most critical period of your immigration journey.
Fortunately, the Canadian government understands this dilemma. In recent years, several mechanisms have been put in place to allow foreigners to continue working without interruption, even if their current permit expires while their main PR case is being processed. However, the rules vary depending on where you come from, which immigration program you are following, and the exact expiration date of your permit. In this article, we will break down each scenario in detail so that you know which path to take.
Scenario 1: You came from Ukraine under CUAET — The easiest path
If you are a Ukrainian citizen or a family member of a Ukrainian citizen who arrived in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program before March 31, 2024, you are in the most convenient position. The Canadian government has recognized the unique challenges facing Ukrainians and has created a special temporary policy for you that provides maximum flexibility.
What you are allowed to do
You can apply for a new Open Work Permit, which will be valid until March 31, 2026. This means you can work for any employer in Edmonton or anywhere in Canada, without any restrictions on a specific boss or company. This is much more flexible than a closed work permit, which ties you to one company.
In addition, the new permit will be valid for the maximum period of up to three years, depending on the validity of your passport. If your Ukrainian passport is valid until 2027, you will receive a permit until 2027 (or until your passport expires, whichever is shorter).
Key advantage: You are exempt from medical examinations
Unlike many other foreign workers who are required to undergo medical examinations before being granted a work permit, Ukrainians are exempt from this requirement when applying. This significantly speeds up the process of issuing your permit.
Note: If you want to work in healthcare (doctor, nurse, dentist, etc.), you will have restrictions on your permit until you pass a medical examination. Once you receive your permit, you will have 90 days to undergo a medical examination by a licensed doctor included in the IRCC list. Once the results are available, you can request a change to the conditions of your permit at no additional cost.
How to apply
The process is very simple. Go to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) portal at canada.ca, create an account (or use an existing one), and fill out form IMM 5710 (Application for a Work Permit). In the appropriate field, select the option “Ukrainian nationals applying under the public policy for Ukrainians”.
The minimum documents required are:
- Valid passport
- Proof that you arrived in Canada under CUAET (usually a stamp in your passport)
- Copy of your current work permit (if you already have one)
In addition, you will need to provide biometric data (fingerprints and a photo), but for Ukrainians under this program, this is often done at no additional cost.
Timeframe
The current processing time for these applications is approximately 182 days (about 6 months) from the date of application to the date of decision. This is fairly quick, but not instantaneous. Therefore, apply as early as possible.
Important: If you apply before your current work permit expires, you will be granted “maintained status.” This means that you can continue to work legally in Edmonton under the same conditions while your application is being processed, even if your old permit has technically expired. You will not be an “illegal worker” — you will be in maintained status.
Special feature: Passport expiring
If your Ukrainian passport is due to expire in the coming months, you can still apply for an extension right now. Do not wait for your new passport. Apply with your existing passport, even if it is about to expire. Once you receive a decision, IRCC will allow you to update your personal information (including your new passport number) later. This significantly speeds up your process and ensures that you do not lose your eligibility for an extension if you experience delays in obtaining a new passport from Ukraine.
Scenario 2: You Have Already Applied for PR and Received an AOR — Bridging Open Work Permit
If you are already in the final stages of your PR application — you have a letter from IRCC called an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR), which means your case is actively being processed — then the best option for you is a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP).
What is a BOWP and how does it work?
A BOWP is the gold standard for those awaiting PR. This permit is designed specifically to bridge gaps in your legal status. It allows you to do the following:
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*Work for any company. * Unlike a closed work permit, you are not limited to one employer. This means that if you decide to change jobs in Edmonton, if you are laid off, or if you find a better job, you can do so without having to obtain a new permit. This is incredible flexibility.
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Continue to live in Canada legally. Even if your current work permit has expired, the BOWP gives you the legal right to live and work in Canada until a decision is made on your PR application (or until the BOWP expires, whichever comes first).
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Get an “automatic” extension. If you apply for the BOWP before your current permit expires, you will automatically receive maintained status. This means that even if the BOWP decision takes several months and your old permit expires during that time, you will still be eligible to work under the same conditions.
Who is eligible for the BOWP
To apply for BOWP, you must meet several criteria:
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You must be the principal applicant. Dependent applicants (family members) cannot apply for BOWP on their own. However, they may be eligible for open work authorization as family members of the principal applicant, but that's a different story.
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You must have a valid or expired work permit with the right to renew it (maintained status). This means that you cannot be someone who has already allowed their permit to expire without applying for renewal.
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You must submit a complete PR application, not just an Express Entry profile. This is critical. If you only have an Express Entry profile (from which you were invited to apply), it is not enough for BOWP. You need to actually submit your entire permanent residence application through the IRCC portal.
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You must receive an AOR from IRCC. An AOR is the first letter you receive from IRCC after you submit your complete PR application. This letter includes your file number (your unique case number) and confirms that IRCC has received your application and has begun processing it. This is proof that your case is active.
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Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you apply for the BOWP.
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You must be in Canada at the time of application.
How to apply for the BOWP
Applications for the BOWP are submitted through the IRCC portal. You will need to upload several documents:
- A copy of your AOR
- A copy of your current work permit (or a copy of it)
- A copy of your passport
- A completed IMM 193 form (Application for a Work Permit — Bridging Open Work Permit)
- A copy of your nomination certificate if you applied through a PNP (provincial nomination program, such as the AAIP)
If you have changed jobs since applying for PR, it is also helpful to provide a copy of your new employment contract or offer from your new employer, although this is not always required.
Processing time and waiting period
The standard processing time for a BOWP is 3–4 months from the date of application. However, if there are any complications in your case (due to security, health, or other reasons), it may take longer.
Critical application strategy: Apply for BOWP 3–4 months before your current work permit expires. This ensures that your new permit will be issued before your old one expires. If this is not possible, apply as soon as possible after receiving your AOR.
What happens if your BOWP is rejected
This is a rare situation, but it can happen. If your BOWP application is rejected, you will be allowed to work until your BOWP expires under retention status. If you did not apply for BOWP before your current permit expired and your BOWP is rejected, you will need to stop working immediately.
Scenario 3: You are an AAIP (Alberta Advantage Immigration Program) nominee — Pathway with a 204(c) Letter
If you applied for PR through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) and have already received a nomination certificate from the province, the situation is more complicated than the BOWP scenario. Alberta had plans to issue open work permits to its nominees, but changed course in 2025.
Alberta's Specifics in 2025
In 2025, the AAIP fulfilled its allocation of 6,741 nominations (its total budget for that year). Of those 6,741 nominees, only 777 received letters of support for open work permits. This means that about 91% of AAIP nominees did not automatically receive an open work permit. The rest needed to find another way.
Alberta did not participate in the federal temporary policy that allowed open work permits to be issued to all provincial nominees. Instead, the province set up a system in which only nominees who already had a valid work permit at the time of nomination could receive letters of support for renewal.
Path 204(c): Closed permit, but still eligible
If you had a valid work permit at the time you received your nomination certificate from AAIP, you are eligible to apply for a so-called 204(c) Letter of Support from the province. This letter allows you to continue working in Alberta on the basis of a closed work permit (tied to a specific employer) rather than an open one.
The process looks like this:
Step 1: Obtain a nomination certificate from the AAIP.
This is a quick first step. Your nomination case is reviewed, and when the AAIP decides to nominate you, you receive a nomination certificate.
Step 2: Apply for a 204(c) Letter of Support.
This application is submitted directly to the AAIP through the provincial portal (or by mail, depending on how you applied for the nomination). The application includes:
- A copy of your current work permit
- A copy of your current job offer from your employer (with the job title, salary, and employer contact information)
- Proof that you are paying for the service (unless IRCC has requested the letter, in which case no payment is required)
Step 3: Pay the fee.
The 204(c) Letter request costs $150. This fee is non-refundable — if you submit a request, you cannot get a refund even if the request is denied (although this rarely happens).
Step 4: Receive the letter and apply for a new work permit.
AAIP reviews your request (this takes about 28 days) and issues a 204(c) support letter. With this letter, you apply for a new closed work permit through the IRCC federal portal.
Significant limitations of this approach
Fortunately, you can continue working, but with significant limitations:
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You are tied to one employer. Unlike an open permit, you cannot simply change jobs. If you want to change employers, you need to obtain a new work permit with a letter of support or LMIA from your new employer. This is not only inconvenient—it means additional time and money.
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You are restricted to Alberta. Your work permit will only be valid for work in Alberta. If you want to move to British Columbia or another province, you will need a new work permit.
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Your employer must pay a compliance fee. Your employer will need to submit a job offer through IRCC's federal Employer Portal and pay a compliance fee of $230. Not all employers are willing to do this, especially if they do not fully understand the immigration process.
What to do if you have not received a nomination by the time your permit expires
If you have already applied for the AAIP but have not yet received a nomination, and your work permit is about to expire, you have two options:
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Option 1: Apply for a BOWP. If you have already applied for PR through IRCC (either on your own or based on an AAIP nomination) and received an AOR, you can apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit. Technically, a provincial nomination is not required for a BOWP if you applied for PR as a secondary applicant under another program.
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Option 2: Apply for an LMIA or LMIA-exempt permit. If you don't have a nomination and don't have a BOWP, the only option is a classic work permit through your employer. Your employer must obtain a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which proves that they have not found a Canadian for the job. This is expensive ($1,000 for the employer) and time-consuming, but it is your last line of defense.
Scenario 4: Employer can obtain an LMIA or LMIA exemption — Classic Work Permit
If you don't fall under any of the previous scenarios — you're not Ukrainian, you don't have a provincial nomination, and you don't yet have an AOR for BOWP — your only option is to rely on your employer.
Work Permit through LMIA
Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is an official assessment of whether the Canadian labor market needs a foreign worker for this particular position. The employer applies for an LMIA by demonstrating that they have tried but failed to find a Canadian or permanent resident for the position.
How it works:
Your employer gathers documents (job descriptions, proof that they advertised the position to Canadians, etc.) and submits an LMIA application to Service Canada (a federal agency). The LMIA assesses:
- Does the labor market really need a foreign worker for this position?
- Would hiring a foreign worker be detrimental to Canadian workers?
If Service Canada issues a positive LMIA, it means that the employer has the right to hire you as a foreign worker. With a positive LMIA, you are already more than halfway to obtaining a work permit.
Cost and time:
- An LMIA costs the employer $1,000
- LMIA processing takes 2–4 months
Then you apply for a permit:
Once you have a positive LMIA, you apply for a closed work permit through IRCC. This process takes another 4–8 weeks.
LMIA exemption: A faster but more specific route
Certain categories of workers are exempt from the LMIA requirement. These include:
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International agreements. If you are a citizen of a country with which Canada has a trade agreement (the US, Mexico under CUSMA, EU countries under CETA, etc.) and your position is identified as an eligible occupation in the agreement, you may not need an LMIA.
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Intra-company transfers. If you have worked for a multinational company in your country and are being transferred to the Canadian branch, this is often exempt from LMIA.
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Trades. Some skilled occupations in construction, agriculture, aviation, etc. may have special exemptions.
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Cultural entities. Artists, musicians, directors, etc. are often exempt from LMIA.
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Clergy. Priests, monks, nuns, and other religious figures serving a religious community are often exempt.
If you fall into one of these categories, your employer can apply for a so-called Offer of Employment Number instead of an LMIA. This is less expensive, less time-consuming, and a partially automated process.
Strategic calculation: When to choose an LMIA
Obtaining an LMIA from your employer is a significant investment of time and money. Your employer must be prepared for this, and you must be confident that you are truly satisfied with the job, as the process takes several months.
You should not request an LMIA if:
- Your work permit expires in less than 2-3 months (you often won't have enough time)
- You are not sure you want to stay in this job
- The employer is not willing to pay $1,000 or expects you to do so (you are not allowed to do this)
You should apply for an LMIA if:
- You have decided on a long-term employer
- Your employer is willing to flexibly support your status
- You have enough time (3-4 months) before your current permit expires
Scenario 5: Your Partner Works — Spousal Permit
This scenario is often overlooked by immigrants, but it can be very useful. If your husband or wife already has a work permit in Canada, you may be eligible for a Spousal Open Work Permit.
When this will help you
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When your partner has a closed work permit in a skilled position. If your partner works under a closed work permit in a position classified as NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 (highly skilled positions), you are eligible to apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit valid until the end of your partner's permit.
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When your partner is enrolled in certain programs. Some educational programs entitle spouses to an open work permit. These may include certain master's programs or diploma programs in certain professions (medicine, engineering, nursing, etc.).
How it works
The process is quite simple. You apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit by providing evidence that your partner has qualified employment or is enrolled in a qualifying program. To do this, you will need to provide:
- A copy of your partner's work permit
- A letter from your partner's employer confirming their position and job duties
- Your marriage certificate or cohabitation documents
- Your passport and current status in Canada
Strategic advantage
If you are in a situation where your permit is expiring but your partner has strong status, do everything you can to apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit. This will give you maximum flexibility: you will be able to work for anyone, anywhere in Alberta, while your PR case is being processed.
Restoration of Status: Plan B
If you missed the deadline and your work permit expired without applying for a new one, don't despair. You can still restore your status, but it costs $200 and takes extra time.
How it works
You apply for restoration of status through IRCC, providing reasons why you missed the deadline (e.g., health issues, paperwork error, misinformation, etc.). IRCC reviews your request and decides whether to restore your status.
If your request for restoration of status is approved, you can then apply for a new work permit (BOWP, CUAET extension, LMIA, etc.) as if you had never left your status.
However, reinstatement of status is not guaranteed. IRCC has discretionary power, and if they believe you have violated the conditions of departure, they may refuse. In addition, this is all time during which you cannot legally work.
Strategic Planning: Action Timeline
If your work permit expires within the next 6 months, here is the recommended action timeline:
4–5 months before your permit expires:
- Determine which scenario applies to you (CUAET, BOWP, AAIP, LMIA, etc.)
- Start gathering the necessary documents
- If it is CUAET, apply for an extension
- If it is AAIP, write to the province requesting a 204(c) Letter
3 months before the permit expires:
- If you have an AOR, apply for BOWP
- If you have received a letter from AAIP, apply for a closed work permit through IRCC
- If you have an LMIA exemption, apply for a work permit
2 months before your permit expires:
- Make sure all documentation has been submitted and is in the system
- Track the status of your application through the IRCC portal
- If the documents have not been received, contact IRCC
1 month before the permit expires:
- If a new permit has not yet been issued, make sure you have all the evidence that the application has been submitted (screenshot from the portal, receipt numbers, etc.)
- If something is wrong, contact IRCC
After the permit expires (if a new one has not yet been issued):
- If you applied before the old permit expired, you are entitled to maintained status — continue working
- Keep all proof of application (screenshots, emails, payment receipts)
Common Questions People Ask
Question: I missed the deadline — my permit expired yesterday. Do I have to stop working?
Answer: It depends on whether you intended to apply for a new permit before the old one expired. If you applied for an extension before your permit expired, even if the decision has not yet been made, you are entitled to maintained status. However, if you have not yet applied, you need to immediately:
- Apply for restoration of status ($200)
- Simultaneously apply for a new work permit (CUAET extension, BOWP, 204(c), etc.)
Once both applications have been submitted, you will be eligible for maintained status during the review process.
Question: I applied for a CUAET extension two months ago, but I still haven't received a response. Can I still work?
Answer: Yes. If you applied before your current permit expired, you are eligible for maintained status, even if the decision takes months. One way to do this is to download a screenshot of your application confirmation from the IRCC portal or save your application acceptance letter (if you applied by mail) as proof.
Question: My employer is not willing to pay $1,000 for the LMIA. What should I do?
Answer: First, make sure you are not eligible for an LMIA exemption. If not, you have several options:
- Ask your employer to split the cost of the LMIA with you (some employers do this, although it is not the norm)
- Find another job that offers a work permit
- If you have a partner with strong status, apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit
Question: How often can I renew my work permit?
Answer: Technically, you can renew your permit an unlimited number of times as long as you are eligible for a new one (e.g., you still have a valid PR application, or you are still Ukrainian under CUAET, etc.). However, IRCC may question you if you apply for a permit once a year for many years without making progress on PR. It is better to have a plan for PR within a reasonable time frame.
Conclusion: Don't Panic, But Don't Delay
The system of work permits in Canada prior to PR is complex, but it is designed with the understanding that people need time and flexibility during the transition to permanent status. The government recognizes that some people will be in temporary resident status for a long time and tries to ensure that they can work and live with dignity during that time.
The key to success is foresight and attention to detail. Don't wait until the last day of your permit. Start planning at least 3-4 months in advance. Determine which scenario applies to you (CUAET, BOWP, AAIP, LMIA), gather the necessary documents, and submit your application on time.
If you have submitted an application for which you are eligible before your current permit expires, you are protected under maintained status. Even if the decision takes months, you can continue to work legally in Edmonton.
And if you encounter unforeseen circumstances or need personal advice, there are always immigration lawyers and consultants who can help. The cost of a consultation is often much less than the cost of a mistake.