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Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)

Stay and work in Canada while your permanent residency application is processed ​
Home > Work in Canada > Temporary Work Permits > Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
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: 
  • 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. 

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. 

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

Worker applying for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) while waiting for his permanent residence application to be processed
You can either apply online or on paper.
  • If you apply online, you will have to pay the fees online ($255) and print, fill and scan your forms and supporting documents before uploading them on the system. Find out if you are eligible and apply online.
  • If you apply on paper, you will have to fill the required forms (see below), annex your supporting documents and fee payment receipt, and send your application by mail to this address.
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)".
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  • Home
  • Accueil
  • Services
    • Order GCMS Notes
  • Services
    • Commander Notes GCMS
  • Work
    • Permanent Residence >
      • Express Entry: The Ultimate Guide
      • Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
      • Family Sponsorship
      • Atlantic Immigration Program
      • Start-up Visa Program
      • Self-Employed Persons Program
    • Temporary Work Permits >
      • Work Permit Application
      • International Experience Canada (IEC)
      • Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
      • Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program (SAWP)
      • Free Trade Agreement Business People
  • Travailler
    • Résidence Permanente >
      • Entrée Express : Le Guide Ultime
      • Programme des Candidats des Provinces (PCP)
      • Parrainage Familial
      • Programme d’Immigration au Canada Atlantique
      • Visa pour Démarrage d'Entreprise
      • Programme des Travailleurs Autonomes
    • Permis de Travail Temporaires >
      • Demande d'un Permis de Travail
      • Expérience Internationale Canada (EIC)
      • Permis de Travail Ouvert Transitoire (PTOT)
      • Programme des Travailleurs Agricoles Saisonniers (PTAS)
      • Gens d'Affaires des Accords de Libre-Echange
  • Study
    • Study Permit
    • Student Direct Stream (SDS)
    • Working with a Study Permit
    • Studying in Quebec
    • Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
    • Work as a co-op Student or Intern
    • Extend your Study Permit
  • Etudier
    • Permis d'Etudes
    • Volet Direct pour les Etudes (VDE)
    • Travailler avec un Permis d'Etudes
    • Etudier au Québec
    • Permis de Travail Post-Diplôme (PTPD)
    • Travailler en tant que Stagiaire
    • Proroger votre Permis d'Etudes
  • Visit
    • Do you need a visitor visa?
    • Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
    • Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor)
    • Super Visa
  • Visiter
    • Avez-vous besoin d'un visa?
    • Autorisation de Voyage Electronique (AVE)
    • Visa de Résident Temporaire (Visiteur)
    • Super Visa
  • Prepare
    • Major Canadian Cities Guide >
      • Montreal
      • Toronto
      • Ottawa
      • Vancouver
      • Calgary
      • Edmonton
    • Canadian Education System
    • Canadian Healthcare System
    • Transportation Guide
    • Pre-Arrival To-Do List
    • Money Transfer Guide
    • Bringing your cat, dog, or other pets
  • Préparer
    • Guide des Principales Villes Canadiennes >
      • Montréal
      • Toronto
      • Ottawa
      • Vancouver
      • Calgary
      • Edmonton
    • Système Educatif Canadien
    • Système de Santé Canadien
    • Guide des Moyens de Transport
    • Liste "A ne pas Oublier" avant votre Départ
    • Guide du Transfert d'Argent
    • Amener votre chat, chien ou autres animaux
  • Living
    • Your First Week >
      • Social Insurance Number (SIN)
      • Permanent Resident (PR) Card
      • Provincial Health Insurance Card
      • Canadian Banking Guide
      • Accommodation Guide
      • Cell Phone Carriers Guide
      • Understanding Sales Taxes in each Province and Territory
    • How to get a Driver's Licence
    • Income Tax Returns Filings
    • Free & Cheap Things To Do in ... >
      • Vancouver
      • Montreal
      • Toronto
  • S'établir
    • Votre Première Semaine >
      • Numéro d'Assurance Sociale (NAS)
      • Carte de Résident Permanent (RP) Canadienne
      • Carte d'Assurance Maladie Provinciale
      • Guide du Système Bancaire Canadien
      • Guide d'Hébergement
      • Guide des Opérateurs Téléphoniques Canadiens
      • Comprendre les Taxes de Vente dans chaque Province et Territoire
    • Obtenir un Permis de Conduire
    • Déclaration de revenus
    • Activités Gratuites à Faire à ... >
      • Vancouver
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      • Toronto