Hi Natdn,
I hope you have not send your work permit application at the moment because I guess you were getting a mixed up information which might end you in restoration just like me, unable to work until you're restored and issued a new work permit. You might lose your job because not all employer can wait that long for you to come back to work and without working status your PR is in danger. I was lucky my employer were able to get me back to work after waited for like 7 months (restoration & new work permit).
From my experience, I applied for BOWP in May 2015 before my P/G work permit expired September, continue working on implied status. Received my AOR in October sent it to then CIC. My application was refused in November 2015, stopped working immediately - out of status.
I called IRCC, the call agents were confusing with wrong information then I was lucky with one of the agents who explained and email me the link that I MUST have received AOR before I can qualify for BOWP which will be issued for DURATION OF 1 YEAR.
Then (November 2015) I got my AOR but not qualify anymore for BOWP because I am out of status at the end of my post graduate work permit.
I quickly talked with my employer about the only option left because I have provincial certificate and called my province for support letter 204(c), my employer paid compliance fee $230 through employer portal and generated me ID #, included my employment as well, and applied for closed work permit.
I received the new work permit in May 2016 which valid for 2 years.
I have family and all effort to expedite the processing time proved abortive. I contacted Honourable MP & Immigration Minister
My MP was so helpful, Michelle Rempel. her office got me information I needed within 2 days , that IRCC did not make mistake in refusing BOWP because I do not have AOR before I applied for it. So I have to wait for normal processing time which was more than 6 months at that time.
Good news from her office was that my new (closed work permit) application through my employer was perfect & okay, no more information or document needed but the bad news was that I have to wait at least 6 months - for my restoration & new work permit to be issued.
Almost after 1 month I received email from office of Immigration Minister that my application was refused because I do not have AOR before applied for BOWP and my new work permit application can not be expedited.
1) YOU MUST HAVE YOUR AOR HANDY BEFORE APPLY FOR BOWP, WITHOUT THAT AUTOMATIC REFUSAL, THEN YOU WILL BE OUT OF STATUS, PROBLEM START FROM THERE
2) YOU NEED YOUR PROVINCIAL CERTIFICATE AND SUPPORT LETTER FOR NEW WORK PERMIT (CLOSED), & CONFIRMATION PRINT OUT LETTER FROM YOUR EMPLOYER PORTAL ONLINE REGISTRATION, WHERE $230 WAS PAID & GENERATE YOU APPLICATION ID #
3) YOU WILL GET 2 YEARS CLOSED WORK PERMIT WITH THIS APPLICATION, AGAIN AT THE MOMENT YOUR ARE NOT QUALIFIED FOR BOWP - ACCORDING TO REQUIREMENT STATED ABOVE (1)
4) IT SEEMS YOUR EMPLOYER DID NOT KNOW MUCH ABOUT IT OR WANT TO PLAY DOWN ON YOU. THIS APPLICATION IS LMIA EXEMPT BECAUSE YOU WERE NOMINATED BY YOUR PROVINCE, HOLDING POSTGRADUATE WORK PERMIT DOES NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS APPLICATION BECAUSE YOU WERE NOMINATED. YOU ARE APPLYING FOR NEW CLOSED WORK PERMIT WITH THE SAME EMPLOYER
5)ABDUL & MOVINCOOL WERE RIGHT, THIS IS THE ONLY OPTION FOR YOU NOW
6)YOU MAY LEAD YOUR EMPLOYER TO TAKE THE $230 FROM YOUR WORK PAY BECAUSE YOU WILL BE WORKING BEFORE YOUR NEW WORK PERMIT IS READY - IMPLIED STATUS, NO LMIA FEE REQUIRED - LMIA EXEMPTED BECAUSE YOU WERE NOMINATED.
I hope this help, you can research for more information, updates, and help.
I stand to be corrected!
GOOD LUCK!