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Bridging Open Work Permit
Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
This type of work permit allows you to keep working while you wait for the results of your permanent residence application.
You May Be Eligible for a BOWP if:
- you applied for permanent residence;
- your current work permit expires in 4 months or less;
- you have valid status on your work permit; and
- you are currently in Canada.
You Can Only Qualify if You Applied to One of These Permanent Residency Programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW);
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC);
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST);
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP);
- Caring for Children Class; or
- Caring for People with High Medical Needs Class.
If you applied through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and have employment restrictions as conditions of your nomination, you can’t get a bridging open work permit.
Employment location
- PNP
When issuing a BOWP to an applicant for permanent residence under a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), the employment location on the work permit must be restricted to the nominating province. Therefore, the province of destination must be selected and then the city of destination value should be selected to show the province/territory.
- FSW, FST, CEC: Express Entry
For a BOWP issued to applicants for the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class or Canadian Experience Class, there are no restrictions to employment location.
Why Is BOWP Beneficial?
A BOWP is beneficial for the federal government, Canadian communities and employers, as well as applicants and their families because otherwise applicants and their dependents (spouse and children) would have to either leave Canada temporarily, stay in Canada under visitor status, or find an employer willing to go through the process of applying for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
An open work permit, which allows its bearer to work for any employer in Canada, is preferable as it provides applicants with better flexibility to integrate and navigate the Canadian labour market, given that they have already been found eligible for permanent residence and are currently working in Canada.