Canada eases work permit rules for provincial nominees, i.e., Canada has introduced temporary measures that make it easier for provincial nominees and their spouses to access work permits sooner while waiting for their permanent residence applications to move forward.
The new measures, introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), are designed to help eligible foreign nationals maintain their ability to work in Canada during the permanent residence application stage.
Starting in June 2026, certain Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applicants no longer need to wait for an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) before applying for specific work permits.
Previously, many applicants had to wait until they received an AOR for their permanent residence application before becoming eligible to apply for a work permit or extension. Under the temporary policy, alternative proof can now be used.
The following in-Canada work permit applications are affected:
- PNP bridging open work permits (BOWPs).
- PNP employer-specific work permits, for which the nomination has expired.
- Eligible spousal open work permits, for spouses of PNP applicants.
Applicants who have not yet received an AOR can instead submit a copy of the email confirming that their permanent residence application was submitted through the online portal. Proof of payment of application fees must also be included.
Immigration officers may also verify eligibility directly through IRCC systems if those systems show that a permanent residence application has been received and remains under review.
The operational bulletin instructs officers to use system confirmation whenever it is available.
These alternatives only apply to applicants who have not yet received an AOR. Once an AOR has been issued, applicants must provide that document as part of their work permit application.
The temporary measures came into effect on June 9, 2026, and will remain in place until December 31, 2026.
IRCC published the operational bulletin on the same day the changes took effect.
Why Were Temporary Measures Introduced?
According to IRCC, the changes were introduced because of extended delays in R10 completeness checks. These delays have resulted in lengthy waits before applicants receive their acknowledgement of receipt.
Data shared by users on the CanadaVisa forum highlights the issue. Among 141 provincial nominees, all submitted permanent residence applications through the base PNP in late November 2024. None reported receiving an AOR before October 2025.
As a result, many applicants faced the possibility of losing work authorization while waiting for the document required to apply for a new work permit.
The new measures are intended to reduce that risk and help applicants continue working legally in Canada while their immigration applications remain under review.
Foreign nationals who submit a work permit application before their current permit expires can continue benefiting from maintained status.
It is important to note that the temporary exemption applies only to work permit applications submitted from within Canada. Applicants applying from outside the country must still provide an acknowledgement of receipt when required.
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