The Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) gives international workers permission to work in Canada while waiting for their application for permanent residence to be considered and approved. Applications for this type of work permit can only be considered if you have already applied for one of the following eligible permanent residence programs and have received the acknowledgement letter from the government:
- Permanent residence via Express Entry
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Home Childcare Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot
- Caring for children class or caring for people with high medical needs class (if you applied before 18 June 2019)
- Agri-Food Pilot
- Quebec skilled workers
Eligibility
The precise requirements for a BOWP will vary depending on which type of permanent residence you have applied for. All applicants must however ensure that they have a valid work permit at the time of their application.
In the event that your work permit expires while you are waiting for the outcome of your BOWP application, you will be permitted to continue working under ‘implied status’ until your application has been considered and you have received a formal response. Note that, if your application is denied, you will be required to stop working immediately.
Further eligibility requirements for Bridging Open Work Visas based on some specific types of permanent residence application are detailed below.
Express Entry route
BOWP applicants must:
- live in Canada (not including Quebec)
- hold a valid work permit that will expire in four months or less
- be the primary applicant on their permanent residence application
- have submitted a full and complete permanent residence application and have passed the completeness check
- have an acknowledgement of receipt letter
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) route
BOWP applicants must:
- live in Canada (not including Quebec)
- hold a valid work permit that will expire in four months or less
- have no employment restrictions as a condition of their nomination
- be the primary applicant on their permanent residence application
- have submitted a full and complete permanent residence application and have passed the completeness check
- have an acknowledgement of receipt letter
Home Childcare Provider Pilot or Home Support Worker Pilot routes
BOWP applicants must:
- live in Canada (not including Quebec)
- have already been approved in principle for permanent residence
- demonstrate that they have at least 24 months of qualifying work experience
- either:
- have a valid work permit; or
- have applied to extend their work permit before it expired; or
- be eligible to restore their status and secure a work permit
Caring for children/people with high medical needs route
BOWP applicants must:
- live in Canada (not including Quebec)
- have a valid work permit that will expire in four months or less
- be the primary applicant on their permanent residence application
- have already been approved in principle for permanent residence
- have applied before the closure of the relevant program
Agri-Food Pilot route
BOWP applicants must:
- live in Canada (not including Quebec)
- have a valid work permit that will expire in four months or less
- be the primary applicant on their permanent residence application
- have already been approved in principle for permanent residence