The Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) allows international workers to work in Canada while waiting for their permanent residence application to be approved. You can only apply for this type of work permit after you have applied for one of the eligible permanent residence programs and received the acknowledgement letter from the government.
Note that not all permanent residence programs are eligible to apply for a BOWP. You can only apply for a BOWP if you have applied for one of the following programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST)
- 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
Eligibility
There are different requirements based on what type of permanent residence you have applied for. However, the most important requirement that all applicants must meet is that you must have a valid work permit at the time of application. In case your current work permit expires before the BOWP is granted, you can still keep working under implied status until your BOWP is finalised. If it is denied, you must cease work immediately to avoid legal consequences and impacts on your future applications.
ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY FOR BOWP |
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| Permanent residence using Express Entry | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 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 | |
| · live in Canada (Quebec not included).
· have a valid work permit that expires in 4 months or less. · be the principal applicant on your permanent residence application. · have submitted a complete application for permanent residence and passed the completeness check. · have your acknowledgement of receipt letter. |
· live in Canada (Quebec not included).
· have a valid work permit that expires in 4 months or less. · be the principal applicant on your permanent residence application. · have no employment restrictions as a condition of your nomination. · have submitted a complete application for permanent residence and passed the completeness check. · have your acknowledgement of receipt letter. In case you submitted your PNP on paper, you don’t need to have our acknowledgement of receipt letter, but you need to be approved in principle for permanent residence. |
· live in Canada (Quebec not included)
· be approved in principle for permanent residence · prove you have 24 months of qualifying work experience · meet 1 of the following criteria: ü have a valid work permit ü have applied to extend your work permit before your original permit expired ü be eligible to restore your status and get a work permit |
· live in Canada (Quebec not included)
· have a valid work permit that expires in 4 months or less · be the principal applicant on your permanent residence application · be approved in principle for permanent residence · have submitted a complete application for permanent residence before the programs closed on June 18, 2019 |
· live in Canada (outside Quebec)
· have a valid work permit that expires in 4 months or less · be the principal applicant on your permanent residence application · be approved in principle for permanent residence. |
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