06/16/2026
Important IRCC Update for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Applicants in Canada
If you're a Provincial Nominee waiting for your Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) before applying for a work permit, this is welcome news.
Effective June 9, 2026, IRCC has introduced temporary operational measures (Operational Bulletin 699) to address the lengthy delays in issuing AORs.
What has changed?
Eligible in-Canada PNP applicants who have submitted their permanent residence application but have not yet received an AOR may now be able to apply for certain work permits by providing:
> The email confirming the submission of their permanent residence application through the PR Portal; and
> Proof of payment of the permanent residence application fees.
In some cases, IRCC officers may also verify the existence of the PR application directly through their internal systems instead of requiring an AOR.
Why is this significant?
Many provincial nominees have found themselves in a difficult position. Although they submitted their PR applications on time, prolonged delays in the completeness check (R10) meant they had to wait months for an AOR—putting their ability to renew their work permits at risk.
These temporary measures help bridge that gap and reduce unnecessary disruptions to employment for eligible applicants.
A few important points:
> These measures apply only to eligible in-Canada PNP work permit applications.
>If you have already received your AOR, you must continue using the AOR as required.
>These are temporary measures and are currently in effect until December 31, 2026, unless revoked earlier.
>This is a practical and much-needed operational change that recognizes the realities of current processing delays while helping applicants maintain their ability to work legally in Canada.
If you're a provincial nominee wondering whether these measures apply to your situation, it's important to review your eligibility carefully before submitting a work permit application.