Provincial Nominee Program Update — June 22, 2026
Monday, June 22, 2026
As of June 9, 2026, IRCC introduced temporary measures allowing PNP applicants in Canada to apply for bridging open work permits (BOWPs) and spousal open work permits using a portal submission confirmation email and fee payment proof — without waiting for a formal Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR).
As of March 30, 2026, provinces and territories are now solely responsible for assessing a PNP applicant's ability to become economically established and their intent to reside — IRCC no longer re-evaluates these criteria when a valid nomination certificate is presented.
Ontario's Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is expected to consolidate its Employer Job Offer streams (Foreign Worker, International Student, In-Demand Skills) into a new framework, but as of early June 2026, no official announcement or final details have been released.
What You Should Do
- If you are a PNP applicant in Canada who has submitted a PR application but has NOT yet received your AOR, you can now apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) using your portal submission confirmation email and proof of fee payment. Submit through your IRCC secure account at canada.ca/ircc-account.
- Spouses of PNP applicants in Canada who have submitted a PR application but lack an AOR should apply for a spousal open work permit now using the portal confirmation email and fee receipt, under the new June 9, 2026 temporary measures.
- Ontario employers and OINP candidates: Do NOT submit new Expressions of Interest or create new job offers in the OINP system yet — wait for official guidance from ontario.ca/page/ontario-immigrant-nominee-program before acting, as the new stream framework has not been finalized.
- If you received a PNP nomination and are applying for PR, note that IRCC will no longer re-assess your ability to establish economically or your intent to reside — your nomination certificate serves as sufficient proof. Review your application at canada.ca/pnp to ensure your nomination certificate is included.
Sources
Topics Covered
PNP Federal-Provincial Authority Transfer: Effective March 30, 2026, provinces and territories are now solely responsible for evaluating economic establishment ability and intent to reside for PNP applicants — IRCC accepts a valid nomination certificate as conclusive proof.
LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Expansion: New temporary measures effective June 9, 2026 allow PNP applicants to obtain bridging open work permits and spousal open work permits without an AOR, using portal confirmation and fee payment proof instead.
More Provincial Nominee Program Updates
Provincial Nominee Program Update — June 25, 2026
Jun 25, 2026
Provincial Nominee Program Update — June 18, 2026
Jun 18, 2026
Provincial Nominee Program Update — June 15, 2026
Jun 15, 2026
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