How to Apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit

Bridging Open Work Permits (BOWP) let work permit holders stay in Canada while they wait for their application for permanent residence (PR) to be decided. Eligible foreign nationals can be issued a BOWP for up to two years in duration and BOWPs may be extended at an immigration officer’s discretion.

No specific job or employer is associated with Open Work Permits (OWPs) including BOWPs. With a BOWP the holder can work in most Canadian occupations for many employers.

Bridging Open Work Permits Key Requirements

The following requirements must be met for a foreign worker to be eligible for a BOWP.

• They currently hold the status of temporary residents in Canada.
• As the primary applicant, they have applied for permanent residence status under one of the following economic immigration programs.

1. The Canadian Experience Class(Express Entry).
2. The Federal Skilled Worker Program(Express Entry).
3. The Federal Skilled Trades Program(Express Entry).
4. The Provincial Nominee Program.
5. The Quebec Skilled Worker Program(QSW).
6. The Agri-Food Pilot.
7. The Home Child-Care Provider Pilot or Home Support Worker Pilot.
8. The Caring for Children Class or the Caring for People with High Medical Needs Class.

• One of the following valid status requirements is met by them.

1. Possess an active work permit.
2. Possess a work permit that has expired, but they have applied for a renewal and are now considered employees.
3. Can regain their status as temporary residents by being granted permission to work under a work permit.

• For their application for permanent residence, they have an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) letter.
• The following Application for Permanent Residence (APR) stages have been finished by them (depending on the program).

1. Have successfully completed a completeness check in accordance with Section 10 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations if they used QSW or Express Entry to apply for permanent residence.
2. If they have applied to any of the other BOWP-eligible programs, they have obtained a positive eligibility assessment.

Temporary residents are allowed to travel outside of Canada while their BOWP is being processed, which usually takes three to four months. However, they will not be allowed to return to work until their BOWP is approved if they depart after their work permit expires.

Conditions Imposed on Job Location

Foreign workers with open work permits are naturally free to work for any employer in Canada and are also able to switch jobs. However, there are two situations where BOWPs are subject to restrictions on where they can work, including that.

• PNP candidates are only permitted to work in the province or territory where they were nominated.
• Quebec must be chosen as the employment location for QSW applicants.

How to Submit a BOWP Application?

Most of the time BOWP applications should be made online via the website of Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The candidate must.

• Make sure they qualify.
• When choosing a permit type on the IRCC portal, choose Open Work Permit.
• Fill out the appropriate forms.
• Depending on the immigration pathway of the applicant, provide the documents specified on the document checklist.
• In addition, pay the OWP holder and work permit processing fees.
• Send in the application.

When a BOWP is issued, it will stay in effect until one of the following happens.

• The applicant’s PR application is decided.
• The BOWP, which is valid for a maximum of 24 months or the applicant’s passport expires, whichever occurs first.
• The IRRC has the authority to grant a 12-month extension (at a time) if a BOWP expires before the PR application is processed.

What to Do if Your Work Permit Expires Before Applying for a BOWP?

A foreign national must be in possession of a valid work permit, legally authorized to work under maintained status or eligible to restore their status and obtain a work permit to apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit.

There are three primary options available to a foreign national who has not yet applied for a BOWP whose work permit has expired and who is not eligible to regain their status.

• To maintain temporary resident status in Canada, they (and their family if applicable) can apply for a visitor record, however, they will have to stop working.
• They can leave Canada while they wait for the results of their PR application, along with their family if applicable.
• If an employer is willing to complete the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application process, they can apply for a work permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). They are still required to stop working in Canada until they are granted legal employment permission once more.

Can Relatives Submit an Open Work Permit Application?

Both the BOWP holder (principal applicant) and a family member must fulfill certain requirements to be eligible for an OWP.

Principal Applicant

• They either currently reside and work in Canada or intend to do so.
• They either currently hold a valid work permit or have been granted one.
• Once the IRCC receives the family members’ OWP application, their work permit will be in effect for a minimum of six months.
• After applying for an economic class PR pathway, their work permit was granted or authorized.
• They possess a Certificate de sélection du Québec if they applied for permanent residence as a QSW.
• They fulfill one of the requirements listed below for employment.

1. Are working in any high-skilled jobs in *NOC TEER 0 or 1.
2. Belong to specific high-skilled jobs in NOC TEER 2 or 3.

Family

• To be granted a work permit, they fulfill the general eligibility requirements.
• One of the following scenarios describes their family member who lives in Canada:

1. Their status as temporary residents is legitimate.
2. They have applied for status that is maintained.
3. They can regain their status as workers, students, or visitors.

• One of the following describes them, they have a sincere relationship with the principal applicant.

1. The spouse or common-law partner of the principal applicant.
2. The primary applicant’s spouse or partner or their dependent child.
3. One of the dependent children’s children (i.e. a grandchild).