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Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
Stay and work in Canada while your permanent residency application is processed
If you currently hold a Work Permit in Canada, and have presented an application for permanent residency, you might be able to apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP). This permit will allow you to keep your job or find a new one while your permanent resident application is processed.
Eligibility of the BOWP
To qualify, you must have applied for permanent residency under the:
You must also:
- Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Class,
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC),
- Federal Skilled Trades (FST) Class,
- Provincial Nominee Program,
- Agrifood Pilot,
- Home Child-Care Provider Pilot,
- Home Support Worker Pilot,
- Caring for Children Pilot and Caring for People with High Medical Needs Pilot (before June 18, 2019), or
- the Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) Class.
You must also:
- currently live in Canada,
- hold a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) for the QSW class,
- have submitted a complete application for permanent residence and passed the completeness check,
- have your acknowledgement of receipt (AoR) letter or approval in principle letter, and
- either
- have a valid work permit
- have an expired work permit but maintained your status as a worker, or
- be eligible to restore your status and get a work permit.
When to apply for the BOWP
If you applied for permanent residency using the Express Entry system, you can apply for the BOWP as soon as you receive your Acknowledgment of Receipt (AoR) (automatically received on your EE account after submission of your application). You will need to add this letter as a supporting document for your BOWP application.
However, the BOWP will not be issued until your permanent residence application has been checked for completeness (R10 check) by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which is done within the first couple of months of the processing of your application.
If you applied outside the Express Entry system, you must wait until your receive, by mail or e-mail, your Acknowledgment of Receipt (AoR). This AoR will not be issued until IRCC assesses that your application passes the eligibility check. You will need to add this letter as a supporting document for your BOWP application.
However, the BOWP will not be issued until your permanent residence application has been checked for completeness (R10 check) by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which is done within the first couple of months of the processing of your application.
If you applied outside the Express Entry system, you must wait until your receive, by mail or e-mail, your Acknowledgment of Receipt (AoR). This AoR will not be issued until IRCC assesses that your application passes the eligibility check. You will need to add this letter as a supporting document for your BOWP application.
Restrictions on Provincial Nominees
If you are applying for permanent residency under a Provincial Nominee Program, you need to be careful. Make sure that during the BOWP application procedure, in the Province and City of Destination section, you select the province or territory that nominated you.
On your certificate of nomination, there may be employment restrictions. If on the restrictions section, it says "Yes", then you will not be eligible for the BOWP.
On your certificate of nomination, there may be employment restrictions. If on the restrictions section, it says "Yes", then you will not be eligible for the BOWP.
Eligibility for Quebec residents
If you are residing in Quebec, you are eligible for the BOWP as of August 31, 2021. Your Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) must be valid when the application for permanent residence is submitted.
How to Apply for the BOWP
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You can either apply online or on paper.
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We would recommend you to apply online, as processing times are always quicker than when applying on paper.
Forms and Supporting Documents
In regards to forms to fill and supporting documents to provide, we invite you to check our dedicated guide on the matter.
Application Fees
You need to pay the work permit processing fee ($155) and the Open Work Permit Holder fee ($100). If you apply on paper, you can pay the $255 fee here.
Processing Times
A BOWP is processed within 100 days. You can check the processing times here. You need to select "Temporary residence (Visiting, studying, working)", then "Work permit from inside Canada (initial and extension)".
