If you are a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applicant in Canada stuck waiting on your Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR), there is real relief. Through Operational Bulletin 699, IRCC has introduced temporary measures that let certain in-Canada PNP applicants apply for specific work permits without first having an AOR — using alternative proof that the permanent residence (PR) application is on file.
The measures took effect June 9, 2026 and run until December 31, 2026 (and could end earlier). They respond to long delays in R10 completeness checks that have left nominees unable to file for work permits they otherwise qualify for.
At a Glance
| Item | Detail |
| Authority | IRCC Operational Bulletin 699 |
| Effective | June 9, 2026 |
| Sunset | December 31, 2026 (may end earlier if delays ease) |
| Applies to | In-Canada applications only |
| Covers | PNP BOWP (A75), PNP employer-specific (T13, incl. expired nomination), eligible spousal OWP |
| What changed | AOR no longer required up front; alternative proof of PR submission accepted |
| Who it excludes | Anyone who already has an AOR (must submit it) and applications from outside Canada |
The Problem It Solves
Normally, the AOR is a mandatory document for several work permit categories because it proves your PR application passed the R10 completeness check. But R10 checks have been taking far longer than expected, creating a gap between submitting your PR application and receiving the AOR. Without the AOR, many nominees could not file for a bridging or extension permit — risking work interruptions, status concerns, and even refusals.
Which Work Permits Are Covered
| Permit | What it is |
| PNP Bridging Open Work Permit (A75) | An open permit that lets PNP applicants keep working while their PR application is processed |
| PNP employer-specific (T13) | An LMIA-exempt, employer-specific permit for provincial nominees — including cases where the nomination certificate has expired but PR was filed in time |
| Eligible spousal open work permit | An open permit for the spouse or common-law partner of a PNP principal applicant, tied to the principal’s PR application being on record |
The measures apply to both base (non-Express Entry) and enhanced (Express Entry-aligned) PNP applicants, provided they are physically in Canada with a PR application pending. Confirm your exact category before filing.
What You Submit Instead of an AOR
If you have not yet received your AOR, you have two routes:
- Submit the IRCC portal email confirming your PR application was submitted, plus proof of fee payment; or
- Rely on the officer verifying your pending PR application directly in IRCC systems.
Important: if you already have an AOR, you must submit it — the alternative proof is only for applicants still waiting.
Who This Helps Most
- Applicants whose work permit is approaching expiry and who need to file before it lapses
- Nominees affected by delayed R10 completeness checks
- Candidates with expired nominations who filed PR in time
- Workers facing employment interruptions or temporary resident status concerns
- Spouses and common-law partners who previously had to wait for the principal’s AOR
Filing before your current permit expires is what preserves maintained status — for how that protection works, see our guide on maintained status and work permit extensions.
Critical Caveats — Read Before You Rely on This
- It does not guarantee PR approval. The measure only changes what proof you submit for the work permit; your PR application is assessed separately.
- The PR application must still be complete. This does not replace or constitute the R10 completeness check. If your PR application is later found incomplete and returned, normal consequences apply — including potential impact on the work permit.
- All other requirements still apply. You must continue to meet every eligibility and admissibility requirement for your work permit category (assessed under section 200 of the IRPR).
- In-Canada only. Applications submitted outside Canada are not covered.
- Temporary and reversible. It is an operational response to backlog, scheduled to sunset December 31, 2026, and could be revoked earlier.
Before vs. Under Bulletin 699
| Before (standard rule) | Under Bulletin 699 (until Dec 31, 2026) |
| AOR letter required to file BOWP / T13 / eligible spousal OWP | Portal submission email + fee proof, or officer system verification, may be accepted |
| Nominees stuck waiting months for AOR could not file | Eligible applicants can file as soon as PR is submitted |
| Spouse waited for the principal’s AOR | Spouse may apply once the principal’s PR is on record |
| Risk of work interruption / status loss during the gap | Earlier filing helps preserve maintained status |
What to Do Now
- Confirm your work permit category qualifies (BOWP / T13 / eligible spousal OWP).
- Save your PR portal submission confirmation email and fee payment receipt.
- File before your current work permit expires to preserve maintained status.
- Submit your AOR with any future work permit application once you receive it.
- If your case is complex — expired nomination, prior refusal, status concern — get a professional review from a licensed RCIC consultant.
How Earnest Immigration Can Help
Earnest Immigration and Citizenship Services is a CICC-regulated, RCIC-licensed consultancy with offices in Windsor, Ontario and Regina, Saskatchewan, and 130+ five-star ratings. With a firm December 31, 2026 sunset, timing and technical accuracy are decisive.
Our team audits your permit expiry, nomination validity, and PR submission timeline; assembles the alternative-proof evidence package; and files your BOWP, T13, or spousal open work permit before your permit lapses. We also advise on related spousal open work permit eligibility and broader PNP and PR pathways. For complex files, see our immigration legal services in Windsor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a PNP work permit without an AOR?
Yes, temporarily. Under IRCC Operational Bulletin 699 (June 9 to December 31, 2026), eligible in-Canada PNP applicants can apply for a BOWP, a T13 employer-specific permit (including expired nominations), or an eligible spousal open work permit using alternative proof of PR submission instead of an AOR.
What can I submit instead of an AOR?
The IRCC portal email confirming your PR application was submitted, plus proof of fee payment. Alternatively, the officer may verify your pending PR application directly in IRCC systems. If you already have an AOR, you must submit it.
Does this guarantee my PR will be approved?
No. The measure only changes the proof required for the work permit. Your PR application is assessed separately, and if it is later found incomplete and returned, normal consequences apply, including possible impact on the work permit.
Does it cover my spouse?
Yes. A spouse or common-law partner of a PNP principal applicant may apply for an eligible spousal open work permit once the principal’s PR application is on record — they do not have to wait for the principal’s AOR.
When does this measure end?
It is scheduled to sunset on December 31, 2026 and could end earlier if processing delays improve. Applications received by the cut-off are processed under the new rules; later applications return to the AOR-required regime.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Operational Bulletin 699 is a temporary measure subject to change or early revocation. Consult a CICC-regulated, RCIC-licensed immigration consultant or a licensed immigration lawyer for advice on your specific situation.
Sources: IRCC Operational Bulletin 699 and operational instructions dated June 9, 2026; corroborating coverage of the temporary PNP work permit measures (effective June 9 – December 31, 2026). Confirm the current status of the bulletin on canada.ca before relying on it.
