Bridging Open Work Permit
The Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) is a valuable immigration option in Canada for foreign nationals who are currently working in Canada to extend their work permit while they await a decision on their application for permanent residency (APR). The BOWP is only available to those who have already submitted a permanent residency application and are already in possession of a valid work permit or expired work permit but maintained their status in Canada or are eligible for restoration of status as a worker.
To be eligible for the BOWP, applicants must have submitted an application for permanent residency (APR) under one of the following classes:
- Permanent residence using Express Entry (Federal skilled worker class (FSWC), Canadian experience class (CEC) or Federal skilled trades class (FSTC).
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Provincial nominee class (PNC), for applicants for whom there are no employer restrictions on nominations.
- Quebec skilled workers
- Home Child-Care Provider Pilot or Home Support Worker Pilot
- Caring for children class or caring for people with high medical needs class
- Agri-Food Pilot
In specific employer-driven streams within the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), the province or territory making the nomination may place limitations on the employment of the successful nominee until they attain permanent residency. If such employment restrictions are enforced, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will not grant an open work permit to the foreign national, excluding them from the exemption under the BOWP Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Provinces and territories may include an employer or the name of the occupation and the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code and still indicate that there are no employment restrictions. In such instances, applicants qualify for an open work permit, provided they meet the other eligibility criteria.
BOWP- Eligibility Requirements
General Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for a bridging open work permit (BOWP), foreign nationals must
- currently be in Canada after being authorized to enter as a temporary resident.
- meet one of the following criteria at the time of submission:
- have valid temporary resident status and authorization to work as the holder of a valid work permit
- have maintained status and authorization to work as a result of submitting an application to renew their work permit.
- be eligible to restore their temporary resident status with authorization to work on a work permit
- have submitted an APR as the principal applicant under one of the following classes or pilots:
- federal skilled worker class (FSWC)
- Canadian experience class (CEC)
- federal skilled trades class (FSTC)
- caring for children class or caring for people with high medical needs class before June 18, 2019
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) for applicants for whom there are no employer restrictions on nominations
- Agri-Food Pilot (AFP)
- Quebec skilled worker class (QSWC)
- Home Child Care Provider Pilot (HCCPP) or Home Support Worker Pilot (HSWP)
- have completed one of the following APR stages depending on their class:
- electronic application for permanent residence (e-APR) submitted under Express Entry has passed the section R10 completeness check. This applies to the following classes:
- FSWC
- CEC
- FSTC
- PNP (where the applicant is accepted through the provincial or territorial Express Entry stream)
- APR under the QSWC has passed the section R10 completeness check
- receipt of a positive eligibility assessment on their non-Express Entry APR submitted by mail or online under one of the following classes or pilots:
- caring for children
- caring for people with high medical needs
- AFP
- PNP (where the applicant does not qualify for Express Entry)
- HCCPP or HSWP after completing their qualifying work experience
- electronic application for permanent residence (e-APR) submitted under Express Entry has passed the section R10 completeness check. This applies to the following classes:
- Have applied for an open work permit.
- Have paid the work permit processing fee and the open work permit holder fee.
- Have provided, as applicable, evidence that their provincial nomination is unrestricted (for example, nomination certificate)
Who is not eligible for a BOWP?
- Foreign nationals in Canada under section R186 who are exempt from the work permit requirement.
- Foreign nationals applying for a BOWP at a port of entry (POE) or visa office.
- Spouses and dependants of principal permanent resident applicants.
- Foreign nationals who are inadmissible to Canada.
- Applicant’s who are outside Canada
- If the applicant’s work permit is valid for more than 4 months
- If the applicant does not have a valid work permit, implied status, or eligibility for restoration
- If the applicant’s PR application has not passed the completeness check (AOR issued) or an eligibility stage, depending on the stream.
- If the applicant provincial nomination includes conditions or job-specific restrictions, you’re not eligible for a BOWP.
How IMC Immigration Can Help in Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) applications?
Applying for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) requires careful timing, strict adherence to eligibility rules, and complete documentation. At IMC Immigration, we ensure your application meets all IRCC requirements—whether you’re applying BOWP under Express Entry, a Provincial Nominee Program, or one of Canada’s economic pilot pathways.
We assess your permanent residence (PR) application status to confirm you’re eligible for a BOWP, ensure your work permit application aligns with IRCC conditions, and help gather required evidence. For those with complex situations—like expiring status or employer restrictions—we offer strategic advice to preserve your legal right to work.
With IMC Immigration, you gain peace of mind while waiting for your PR. Let our team help you stay authorized to work in Canada without interruption.
Contact Us to discuss your options