Between Work Permits and PR: Navigating Canada’s Immigration Timelines and Options

Our journey through Canada’s immigration system can feel like navigating a maze : work permits, provincial nominations, and PR applications all intertwine. The processing times vary widely, and rules change frequently. This guide breaks down what you need to know if you’re on a closed (employer-specific) work permit after a provincial nomination (PNP), or in between visas. It covers processing times, Bridging Open Work Permits (BOWP), loss of status scenarios, and lesser-known options. We focus especially on Quebec’s programs and rules, since Quebec has its own selection process, even though many examples come from other provinces. By the end, you’ll understand timelines and tactics for staying legal and protecting your PR application.

Work Permits in Canada: Closed vs Open

In Canada, a closed work permit (also called employer-specific) ties you to one job at one employer in a specific location. You can’t change jobs without IRCC approval. In contrast, an open work permit lets you work for any employer (with some exceptions), province-wide or Canada-wide. Common open permits include the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for international grads, and Spousal/Partner Open Work Permits. A Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) is a special open permit for people with a PR application in process.

Closed vs. open matters because of rules and processing times. Officially, IRCC does not publish separate timelines for “closed” vs “open” work permits – they’re all under the “work permit” category. As of mid-2025, IRCC’s published processing target for in-Canada work permit applications is about 6–7 months. For applications submitted from outside Canada, times are often faster (around 2–4 months for many countries). In practice, however, processing can be unpredictable. Some applicants report extremely fast approvals (e.g. one person got a closed permit in just 16 days) while others wait many months. These variations often depend on application type, the visa office, and workload.

Bottom Line: Don’t count on a closed permit being much faster than an open one. IRCC’s service standards treat them together, and real-world experiences vary. Generally, plan for around 6 months processing if you apply inside Canada, regardless of closed or open. (Between 2024–25 many have seen similar 6–8 month timelines for extensions or changes of conditions in Canada.)

Processing Times: Work Permits and PR Applications

Work Permit Processing Times

As mentioned, work permits (inside Canada) currently average around 188 days (6+ months) from submission. If you apply from outside Canada (e.g. at a Canadian consulate), check the IRCC processing time tool, but many report roughly 2–3 months for initial work permits in countries like India or China. Processing times can surge if volumes rise or if the application requires extra security checks. Always check IRCC’s official time estimator (“Check processing times”) or a trusted tracker like CIC News for updates.

Anecdotal note: Some have found LMIA-exempt closed permits (like those under certain free trade agreements or tech-facilitation paths) to be processed very quickly – one user reported approval in ~16 days. But others have waited months for even standard extensions. These experiences are not guarantees; IRCC doesn’t promise special speed for closed permits after PNP.

Processing times also depend on your location. For example, if you live in Quebec, IRCC may coordinate with Quebec authorities. (Quebec itself doesn’t run a PNP, but has its own Skilled Worker program. More on Quebec below.)

PR Application Timelines and AOR

After you file for Permanent Residence (PR), IRCC will send an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR). Officially, IRCC says you “will get an AOR letter or email after we receive your application and check that it’s complete”. In practice, most online applications do receive a confirmation (with application number) within hours or days of submission. However, for some categories (like PNP-nominated applications), people sometimes wait weeks or even a few months. According to a recent IRCC update, applicants who filed by early May 2025 should “receive AORs soon,”implying that a December 2024 application would likely get AOR soon if there are no completeness issues.

What to do while waiting for AOR: You can monitor status online once you have an application number. Keep copies of everything. Do not panic too soon – PR AOR can legitimately take a couple of months for non-Express Entry cases. (By comparison, Express Entry PR applications aim for 6 months; Non-EE PNP processing, from AOR to final decision, is currently on the order of 19–20 months. So be prepared for a long wait.)

Once you have AOR, IRCC says you may qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) (see next section), and you’ll use the online IRCC portal to check PR status. IRCC updates their processing time page regularly, but remember the posted time is from AOR to final decision. The current published target for PNP-based PR (Quebec excluded) is around 20 months, whereas Express Entry (CEC or FSWC) is 5–6 months.

Quebec-Specific Timelines

Quebec’s immigration system is separate. If you applied through Quebec’s Skilled Worker Program (QSW), you first obtain a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) from Quebec, then apply to IRCC for PR. IRCC lists the processing time for Quebec PR applications (once CSQ is in hand) at about 9 months. However, this does not include the time to get the CSQ from Quebec’s Ministry (which varies with Quebec’s backlog).

Bridging Open for Quebec: Quebec-selected applicants are eligible for a BOWP, but they need a CSQ and an IRCC AOR to apply.
Quebec arrival: If approved, Quebec-bound PR applications get a unique visa (“Arrêté de sélection Québec” and then an IRCC visa).

Even though Quebec doesn’t have a PNP program, we include Quebec here because many people in Quebec face similar timing and status questions, and IRCC updates often treat Quebec cases separately.

After a PNP Nomination: Work Permit Options

If you’ve been nominated by a province (PNP), you likely got it via one of two ways: Express Entry stream (CRS points + provincial nomination) or a non-Express Entry direct PNP. Either way, you apply to IRCC with that nomination. If your PNP stream required a job offer, you probably hold an employer-specific (closed) work permit tied to that job.

After nomination, you have a few work permit options:

Keep your current closed permit. If it’s still valid, you can continue with the same employer. If it’s expiring, you normally would either extend it (if employer will support an extension, often via LMIA) or switch to another option below.
Apply for a new closed permit under LMIA or other category. If your employer is willing, they could get an LMIA and you apply for a new closed permit with that employer. Processing times for LMIA-based permits vary; check IRCC and ESDC timelines.
Apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP). This is an open permit you can get once you have submitted a PR application and have an AOR. We’ll detail BOWP next.
Remain legal via Restoration: If your permit expires before you can extend or switch, you can apply to restoreyour status (if within 90 days of expiry). Restoration is its own application (with fee) and buys you time if needed.

The important thing is that IRCC (federal) and the province both want you to maintain status. IRCC’s PNP after-apply page says: “If your existing work permit is about to expire, you may be eligible for a bridging open work permit.”. And if your nomination were to be withdrawn (for example, if you lose your job), IRCC warns you must inform them if a province withdraws your nomination. Losing your job doesn’t automatically mean PR refusal yet, but it could lead the province to pull your nomination if a job offer was an eligibility requirement. We cover that risk below.

Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP): Keeping You Working

The Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) is a key tool. It lets you work while IRCC processes your PR. To get a BOWP, you must:

Have applied for PR under a qualifying category: This includes most categories, notably Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, and Provincial Nominee Program (including Quebec Skilled Worker). You also must have filed the application from within Canada (which typically you did, since you’re working here on a permit).
Have your Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) from IRCC. IRCC will only issue a BOWP after AOR.
Have a valid temporary status in Canada when you apply for BOWP. Often you apply just before your current permit expires; upon filing, you get implied status (sometimes called continued or maintained status) which lets you keep working under old permit conditions until BOWP decision.

Crucially, if your PR application was through a PNP, you can still get a BOWP. Some people assume “PNP is employer-specific so I can’t get an open permit,” but that’s not correct. IRCC policy explicitly lists Provincial Nominee Program as an eligible class for BOWP. (Quebec Skilled Workers too, provided you have a CSQ and application number.)

One caveat: IRCC may place a geographic restriction on a PNP BOWP. For example, they note that PNP-stream BOWPs require you to continue working in the nominating province. Effectively, your BOWP is open to any employer within that province. This makes sense: your PR stream ties you to that province. But you can change jobs (within province) if needed once you hold the BOWP.

Example (from IRCC non-EE PNP page):

“If your existing work permit is about to expire, you may be eligible for a bridging open work permit. If you’re eligible, this permit can let you keep working while you wait for a final decision on your permanent residence application.”

Forum Insight: On CanadaVisa forum, one member on a closed WP who had applied for PR said they sent in a BOWP in June 2023 after AOR in March. IRCC confirmed they could work under their employer-specific conditions until the BOWP decision. After that point, their status was essentially open (though they remained tied to the same employer until they changed jobs).

In practice: As soon as you have AOR, apply for BOWP online. Include proof of your PR application (application number), your current permit, and pay fees. IRCC processes BOWP typically in similar time as any in-Canada work permit (≈6 months). But once you submit, you get a letter allowing you to work on your current permit conditions until the BOWP is decided (as happened above).
If PNP is employer-specific: The BOWP will be open but limited to your province. You should inform the provincial nominee office about a job change. Many provinces (like Ontario) advised finding a similar job in same NOC to keep nomination. But the BOWP itself doesn’t prevent you from switching employers in the province – it just makes your permit open.

If Your Job or Status Ends: Risks and Remedies

One of the most common fears is “What if I lose my job or my work permit expires while waiting for PR?” Here’s what can happen and what to do:

Losing Your Job (PNP Implications)

If your PNP nomination required a job, losing that job does put your nomination at risk. Many PNPs explicitly tie the nomination to the job offer. A Reddit user (in a pandemic-era thread) explains: if your PNP certificate shows “Employment Restriction: Yes,” then losing the job likely means the province will revoke the nomination. In other words, IRCC would be told the nomination no longer stands, and your PR could be refused on that basis.

However, provinces often give some leeway. Another Redditor wrote that their PNP office said to “find another job in the same NOC and submit documents again.” They were given roughly 3 months to get a comparable job and update the province; IRCC was informed of the job change, and their nomination stayed valid. This suggests:

Act quickly if you lose your job. Immediately look for another eligible position in the same field (same NOC level).
Notify the province. As soon as possible, inform your PNP office and IRCC of the change. Some provinces require official documentation of the new offer.
Risk of revocation: If you can’t secure a similar job, the province may withdraw the nomination, which usually leads to a PR refusal.

Case Example: One applicant had the employer withdraw support in June. They informed OINP, which said they could find a new job in the same field and keep their nomination. They did so and kept their PR application alive. In contrast, if you quietly lose a job without telling anyone, and your nomination is withdrawn without your knowledge, IRCC will simply refuse the PR (you won’t automatically get a “grace period”).

Bottom Line: If your employer won’t extend your closed permit and you lose the job, you must either find another qualifying job or consider alternatives (below). Losing the nomination means you lose those extra PNP points, but your PR application might not be immediately “rejected” as incomplete (until IRCC is informed by province). Still, without a nomination, you drop from PNP stream to just a normal skilled worker application, which likely won’t succeed (especially if you applied in a PNP-only category).

Work Permit Expiry (Status Loss)

If your work permit expires before you get a replacement, you temporarily have no status in Canada. You must act fast:

Within 90 days: You can apply to restore your status with IRCC. This is a special application (with a restoration fee) that asks IRCC to re-instate your permit from its expiry date. You can only restore if you apply within 90 days of expiry. During restoration processing (which itself can take months), you can get an interim permit to work if eligible (like you would for BOWP). If approved, your restoration will retroactively legitimize your presence and let you continue working.
After 90 days: You cannot restore. You would be out of status indefinitely, which complicates everything. You’d need to leave Canada and only re-enter with a valid new status (visitor, or new work permit) before continuing any work or PR processes.

Important: You must remain in Canada to restore. If you leave (even to go to the US and re-enter at a land border – known as “flagpoling”), you cannot then ask to restore status, because you are no longer an illegal resident – you’ve simply left. One Reddit user asked exactly this: if they flagpole while waiting for restoration, what happens? A commenter replied: “One of the conditions of restoration is that you are in Canada. If you flagpole, you will not be in Canada, and there will be no status to restore.”. In other words, do not leave Canada if you intend to restore your permit.

Flagpoling: Note, as of Dec 23, 2024, Canada ended most flagpoling for work/study permit renewals. Only very limited exceptions remain (US citizens, CUSMA/USMCA/FTA professionals, and a few niche cases). So generally, you cannot fix your status by briefly crossing to the US/Mexico to get a new permit at the border anymore. You must use the IRCC process inside Canada or apply from abroad.
Visitor status workaround: Some people with expired permits apply for a visitor visa or status (eTA or visitor record) so they can stay legally and maybe look for a new work permit or wait for PR. This can be tricky and there’s no guarantee, but it is an option if restoration fails. If you have a valid PR application, IRCC might allow you to stay as a visitor while processing.

Loss of Status vs PR Impact

If you do fall out of status (permit expired without restoration), your PR application doesn’t get automatically deniedjust for that. IRCC considers whether your PR application remains complete and whether you still meet the PR criteria. Not having valid status is a violation, but IRCC often lets people correct that (e.g., by restoration) rather than outright refuse PR. The bigger risk is the PNP nomination. If you lose status and job, the province may withdraw support. If the nomination is withdrawn before landing, IRCC will refuse (or ask to reapply without nomination).

Key point: Keep both IRCC and the province informed. If your status changes or you lose your job, proactively notify IRCC (use the webform) and your PNP coordinator. That way, at least IRCC knows you’re trying to comply. In the worst case, you might have to abandon the provincial path and switch to a federal one – but by telling IRCC early, you might preserve your PR application in some form.

How Long to Wait: AOR and Processing Times Today

You asked: “What is the processing time for an AOR currently?” In mid-2025, IRCC does not publish a timeline specifically for sending AORs. Anecdotal info suggests most people get an AOR within days to a few weeks of a complete online submission.

However, volumes are high. Thankfully, IRCC indicated that PR applications filed by May 5, 2025 should have AORs coming soon. If you applied Dec 12, 2024 (as in the scenario), you are well before that cutoff, so your AOR is likely just taking time but should arrive. If you submitted on paper (unlikely, but just in case), it could add mailing delay. If it’s been months with nothing, you might try contacting IRCC (but usually they say wait). In summary: expect an AOR soon, but be prepared for waits of 1–3 months for non-Express applications.

After AOR, IRCC’s processing time for your PR application (including verification, meds, final decision) is currently around 19–20 months for base PNP applications. For Quebec Skilled Worker, IRCC’s own site says about 9 months(once CSQ is obtained), but Quebec processing can be delayed separately. Always check IRCC’s “Check application status” tool after AOR, and consider asking IRCC to expedite only in extreme cases (normally only possible for urgent humanitarian reasons).

Staying Informed and Taking Action

Check processing time calculators: Use the IRCC website to estimate current wait times for work permits and PR. Also consider CIC News or ImmiTracker for real-time data.
Use webforms to update IRCC: If your employer changes or your address changes, let IRCC know through their web form. They advise reporting job or address changes to avoid delays.
Document everything: Keep copies of all submissions, employer communications, and IRCC correspondence. You might need to prove you acted in good faith.
Seek help if needed: Immigration lawyers or accredited consultants can provide personal advice for your case.

Quebec Considerations

Since you’re focusing on Quebec, note these points:

Quebec PNP? Quebec doesn’t have a federal PNP. It has its own selections: Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) and Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), etc. The questions here (like losing status or job) apply mostly to federal-provincial streams. However, Quebec PR applicants face some parallels.
Skilled Worker Job Requirement: QSW does not require a job offer. It’s point-based (selection by CSQ). So losing a job doesn’t kill your Quebec PR in the same way it might kill an employer-specific Ontario nomination. But you still need to maintain status (work or study permit) until you land as PR.
BOWP in Quebec: Quebec PR applicants can get a BOWP if they have a CSQ and AOR. Many QSW applicants indeed do this to keep working. The permit will allow work in Quebec.
Permits in Quebec: If you held a Quebec-specific permit (e.g. Post-Graduate Work Permit while in Quebec), note that IRCC processing times are global for those categories – Quebec has no separate faster queue.
Restoration and flagpoling: Same rules apply in Quebec as elsewhere. You must restore if status expires, and flagpoling is also ended.

Case Scenario : Imagine a student in Montreal did the Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) stream, got CSQ, applied PR in Dec 2024, and is on a post-grad work permit expiring Oct 2025. They haven’t gotten an AOR yet. The answers above apply: they likely will get AOR soon (same cutoff). They can apply for BOWP after AOR to keep working anywhere in Quebec. If they lose their job (though not required by QSW), they can keep nominating because QSW doesn’t tie to a specific job. They just need some way to stay in legal status (work or study permit) until PR.

Key Options Recap

Closed Work Permit vs. Open/PGWP: Treat processing times as similar. IRCC says ~6 months for in-Canada permits. Anecdotes vary widely.
Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP): Once you have AOR, you can apply for BOWP – even on a closed permit PN stream. It will let you work province-wide.
Loss of Job: Contact your PNP office immediately. You may have a grace period (weeks or months) to find a new similar job and update documents. Without a new job, expect potential revocation of nomination.
Permit Expiry: If it’s about to expire, apply for extension or BOWP before it ends. If it does expire, apply to restore status within 90 days. Don’t leave Canada during restoration.
Flagpoling: No longer a general option since Dec 2024. Exceptions exist (e.g. US citizens, free-trade professionals). Don’t rely on it if you’re not in an exception category.
Applying from Outside: If you choose to leave Canada (for example, to escape an out-of-status situation), you would have to reapply for a new permit or visa abroad. That resets many processes, and your PR file will then be an “Outside Canada” case. This is usually a last resort.
Keep everything up to date: If any info changes (address, job, marital status, etc.), use IRCC web form to update. IRCC explicitly recommends this to avoid processing delays.

Conclusion

Between jobs, permits, and PR applications, many newcomers face “limbo” periods in Canada. Navigating this requires careful attention to timelines and rules. The good news is that Canada provides some flexibility (like restoration and bridging permits), but the bad news is that regulations change (like ending flagpoling) and backlogs exist. Always keep your status valid if possible – apply for extensions or bridging permits before expiry. Communicate with both your province and IRCC about changes. And plan ahead: if your PR will take a year or more, know what you’ll do if your employer withdraws support or your permit runs out.

In Quebec or any province, the key is staying legally employed (or at least legally in Canada) until landing. Using a BOWP or restoration can buy you time. If all else fails, switching to a visitor status or returning to your home country to process PR are last-resort options.

Canadian immigration forums are full of people who’ve gone through exactly what you’re asking about. As one Redditor observed, when a PNP-stream applicant lost their job, they were instructed to find a new job in the same field and update their file – and it worked. On the other hand, if your PNP has “employment restriction,” another user noted, losing your job normally means the nomination is revoked. The safe path is to act early: apply for any bridging or restoration before a gap appears, and talk to your province immediately if anything changes.

Official IRCC resources: IRCC’s website has pages on work permits, restoration, BOWP, and what happens if you send something later. Check IRCC’s help pages and the Help Centre. Also follow IRCC’s updates on processing times (they publish them weekly), and watch reputable news sites (e.g. CIC News) for analysis. For Quebec, see IRCC’s Quebec Skilled Worker pages.

Ultimately, each case is unique. But being informed as you are by seeking out these answers is your best tool. Stay proactive, document your status, and reach out for help if needed. Good luck!

Sources: Official IRCC instructions and updated processing times; IRCC Help Centre (AOR, restoration); Quebec Skilled Worker and PNP guidelines; Immigration news reporting on IRCC times; and community experiences on Reddit/CanadaVisa forums. (Embedded images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.)