In 2026, skilled workers in Canada aiming to transition from temporary work permits to permanent residence must understand the types of work permits, key immigration pathways like the Canadian Experience Class, and recent policy changes such as the removal of CRS points for job offers in Express Entry. This guide outlines eligibility criteria, the impact of employer-specific versus open work permits, the role of Bridging Open Work Permits, and provincial nomination considerations, especially for BC PNP applicants.

• Transitioning from a temporary work permit to permanent residence (PR) is a common goal for skilled workers in Canada.
• Closed (employer-specific) work permits require an LMIA-supported job offer and restrict work to a specific employer; they help accumulate Canadian work experience needed for PR streams like Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
• Open work permits allow work for any eligible employer without LMIA and include Bridging Open Work Permits (BOWP), post-graduation permits, and certain family permits.
• Effective March 25, 2025, CRS points for LMIA-supported job offers were removed from Express Entry, emphasizing human capital factors over job offers for CRS scoring.
• Job offers remain relevant for eligibility in some federal programs and provincial nominee programs (PNPs), such as BC PNP Skills Immigration, which requires a valid job offer from a BC employer.
• Bridging Open Work Permits (BOWPs) enable applicants with pending PR applications to maintain work status while awaiting decisions.
• Switching employers after receiving a provincial nomination may affect eligibility if the nomination is tied to a specific job offer.
• Candidates should focus on accumulating Canadian work experience, improving language and education credentials, understanding employer requirements for PNPs, and using BOWPs strategically.

• Removal of CRS points for LMIA-supported job offers in Express Entry effective March 25, 2025.
• Continued importance of valid job offers for eligibility in certain federal and provincial immigration streams despite CRS point removal.
• Emphasis on human capital factors (education, language, experience) over job offer points in Express Entry.
• Provincial nomination programs like BC PNP maintain job offer requirements tied to specific employers.

• Skilled foreign workers in Canada holding temporary work permits (open or closed) aiming to apply for permanent residence.
• Applicants under Express Entry, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, and Provincial Nominee Programs, especially BC PNP.
• Employers sponsoring foreign workers through LMIA-supported job offers.

• Obtain a valid work permit (open or closed) to gain Canadian work experience.
• Submit a PR application under eligible programs such as Express Entry (CEC, Federal Skilled Worker) or PNP.
• Apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) after submitting a PR application to maintain work status during processing.
• Ensure job offers meet program-specific criteria if applying through PNPs or federal programs requiring job offers.
• Monitor official IRCC updates regularly to stay informed on policy changes.

• March 25, 2025: Removal of CRS points for LMIA-supported job offers in Express Entry.

• https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp
• https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/eligibility/canadian-experience-class.html