How to get a Bridging Open Work Permit

Bridging Open Work Permits (BOWP) enables work permit holders to continue working in Canada while their permanent residence (PR) application is being processed.

Eligible foreign nationals may receive a BOWP for up to two years, with the possibility of extension at the discretion of an immigration officer.

As a type of Open Work Permit (OWP), a BOWP is not tied to a specific job or employer. This allows the holder to work for most employers across various occupations in Canada.

In this article, we will discuss:

• Eligibility requirements for obtaining a BOWP
• Restrictions related to the location of employment
• The application process for a BOWP
• Options for work permit holders whose permits have expired and did not apply for a BOWP
• The ability of family members to apply for an Open Work Permit (OWP)

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Who Is Eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)?

A foreign worker may apply for a BOWP if they meet the following criteria:

1. Residency and Status in Canada

• Currently residing in Canada as a temporary resident.

2. Permanent Residence (PR) Application

• They have applied for PR as the principal applicant under one of these economic immigration programs: Express Entry Streams: Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) Other PR Pathways: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) (only if there are no employer restrictions on the nomination) Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSW) Agri-Food Pilot Home Child-Care Provider Pilot or Home Support Worker Pilot Caring for Children Class or Caring for People with High Medical Needs Class (only if the PR application was submitted before June 18, 2019)

3. Work Permit Status

• They meet one of the following status conditions: Hold a valid work permit. Have an expired work permit but are on maintained status after applying for a work permit renewal. Are eligible to restore their temporary resident status with authorization to work.

4. PR Application Processing Stage

• They have received an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) letter for their PR application.
• Their PR application has reached one of these stages: Express Entry or QSW applicants: Passed a completeness check under Section 10 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. Other programs: Received a positive eligibility assessment on their PR application.

Maintained Status and Travel Considerations

• Suppose a work permit expires while a BOWP application is being processed. In that case, the applicant may continue working under-maintained status—provided they applied for the BOWP before their original work permit expired and they remain in Canada.
• Temporary residents can travel outside Canada while their BOWP is processed (typically 3–4 months). However, if their work permit expires while they are abroad, they will not be allowed to work upon re-entry until the BOWP is approved.

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Employment Location Conditions for BOWP Holders

While Open Work Permits (OWPs) generally allow foreign workers to work for any employer across Canada, certain conditions apply to BOWP holders based on their immigration program:

1. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Applicants Must work only in the province or territory that nominated them.
2. Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) Applicants Must designate Quebec as their employment location.

These restrictions ensure that nominees fulfill the regional labor market needs that formed the basis of their nomination or selection.

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How to Apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)

In most cases, BOWP applications should be submitted online through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)’s portal.

Steps to Apply for a BOWP

1. Confirm Eligibility Ensure you meet all requirements for a BOWP before applying.
2. Select the Correct Work Permit Type Choose “Open Work Permit” when prompted on the IRCC portal.
3. Complete the Required Forms Fill out all necessary application forms as per IRCC guidelines.
4. Provide Supporting Documents Submit all documents listed in the document checklist, which may vary depending on your PR application pathway.
5. Pay the Required Fees Work permit processing fee Open Work Permit (OWP) holder fee
6. Submit the Application Ensure all details are accurate before finalizing and submitting.

Validity of a BOWP

Once issued, a BOWP remains valid until the earliest of the following:

• A decision is made on the applicant’s permanent residence (PR) application
• The BOWP expires (maximum validity of 24 months)
• The applicant’s passport expires

If the BOWP expires before a final decision is made on the PR application, IRCC may grant an extension of up to 12 months at a time.

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What Happens if a Work Permit Expires Before Applying for a BOWP?

To be eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP), a foreign national must:

• Hold a valid work permit,
• Have maintained status after applying for a work permit extension, or
• Be eligible to restore their status and obtain a new work permit.

If a foreign national has not applied for a BOWP and their work permit has expired—and they are not eligible for status restoration—they are no longer legally authorized to work in Canada. In this case, they have three main options:

1. Apply for a Visitor Record They (and their family, if applicable) can remain in Canada as visitors. However, they must stop working until they regain work authorization.
2. Leave Canada and Await PR Processing They (and their family, if applicable) can depart Canada while waiting for a decision on their permanent residence (PR) application.
3. Apply for a Work Permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) If they secure a job offer from an employer willing to go through the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process, they may apply for a work permit under the TFWP. They cannot resume working in Canada until they receive legal authorization.

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Can Family Members Apply for an Open Work Permit (OWP)?

Yes, family members of a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) holder may be eligible for an Open Work Permit (OWP), provided both the principal applicant and their family members meet specific requirements.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Principal Applicant (BOWP Holder)

The principal applicant must:

• Be living and working in Canada (or have plans to do so).
• Hold a valid work permit or have been approved for a work permit.
• Have a work permit valid for at least six months after IRCC receives the family member’s OWP application.
• Have a work permit issued or approved after applying for an economic class PR pathway.
• If applying for PR under the Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) program, they must hold a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ).
• Work in an eligible occupation: Any high-skilled occupation in NOC TEER 0 or 1 Select high-skilled occupations in NOC TEER 2 or 3

* The National Occupational Classification (NOC) system categorizes jobs based on Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER). TEER 0 represents the highest-skilled occupations, while TEER 5 includes the least skilled.

2. Family Member

A family member may apply for an OWP if they:

• Meet general eligibility requirements for a work permit.
• Have a family member in Canada who meets one of the following conditions: Holds valid temporary resident status. Has applied for maintained status. Is eligible to restore their status as a visitor, worker, or student.
• Are in a genuine relationship with the principal applicant as: Their spouse or common-law partner. Their dependent child or the dependent child of their spouse/partner. Their grandchild (dependent child of a dependent child).

* Dependent children cannot be the principal applicant and must meet the minimum legal working age in the province or territory where they intend to work.

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