08/14/2026
🚨 Caregiver PR applicants facing a work permit gap
A concerning issue has emerged for applicants under Canada’s 2025 Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots.
According to a Toronto Star report, applicants under the 2025 program are not eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) simply because their permanent residence application is being processed.
For caregivers whose current work permits are expiring, this can create a serious problem:
PR application in process ✅
Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) ✅
Automatic right to keep working ❌
IRCC’s position, as reported, is that BOWP eligibility was never included under the 2025 caregiver pilots and that affected applicants would need to qualify for another work permit option.
The impact isn’t limited to caregivers. Canadian families relying on them for childcare, senior care and home support can also be left without the workers they depend on.
⚠️ Important: A pending PR application or AOR does not automatically extend your authorization to work in Canada.
If your work permit is approaching expiry, your options should be reviewed before your current status expires.
Source: Toronto Star | Nicholas Keung | August 14, 2026