What is a BOWP?

BOWP is called the Bridging Open Work Permit. BOWP lets you extend your stay in Canada as a worker so you can continue working while your permanent residence is in process.

If you are a Permanent Resident (PR) applicant, you may be eligible to apply for a BOWP. However, simply JUST applying for a PR application does not make you eligible for a BOWP.

 

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

• Live in Canada (outside Quebec in most cases) at the time of the application

 

 

• Have a status in Canada as one of the following:
  • Valid work permit
  • Have a maintained status as a worker
  • Be eligible to restore your status as a worker

 

 

• Be the principal applicant in your PR application – This means that your spouse and dependents are ineligible for a BOWP. Only the principal applicant is eligible

 

 

• You are approved in principle for your PR application – This means that the officer has done a completeness check on your application and has determined that you are IN FACT eligible to apply under that specific PR category. The officer will then issue you a PR application number used for the processing of your application. This is also called the Acknowledgement of Receipt  (AOR)

 

 

• There must be no employment restriction on your nomination – This means that if you have been nominated by a province, there must be no employment restriction on your nomination. For example, if you were nominated by a province to work as a software developer, your nomination must not limit your occupation to just that. See the screenshot below from IRCC’s operational guidelines

 

 

 

 

Let’s discuss further what this means for YOU.

One of the following two cases can apply to your case:

Case 1: You have applied for your PR and have received your AOR number as mentioned in point 4 above

You can apply for your BOWP provided that you meet all the other eligibility criteria

 

Case 2: You have applied for your PR and HAVE NOT received your AOR number as mentioned in point 4 above

You will not be eligible to apply for a BOWP. You will have to look at other options for extending your stay in Canada including some of the following:

-            See if your employer is willing to go through the LMIA process

-            Take one of the French language assessment tests - Test d’Évaluation du Français (TEF Canada) or Test de connaissance du français (TCF). You may be eligible to apply for the Francophone Mobility work permit

-            Change your status to a visitor and wait for the AOR in Canada. You will have 90 days from the date of your work permit expiry to “restore your status”. However, you MUST stop working.

 

Can my spouse and children also apply for a BOWP?

The answer is NO. As mentioned in point# 3 above, only the principal applicant is eligible for a BOWP. However, your spouse and dependents can explore other options to stay in Canada.

 

The PR and work permit process can be technical, daunting and not always easy. That is why we are here to help! For further information and to discuss the specifics of your case, contact us at [email protected] ; or 226-881-3343. We will be happy to assist you!

 

Disclaimer: The above article is meant for informational and knowledge purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal advice, please reach out to us.

 

Source: Bridging open work permits for certain economic class permanent residence applicants [R205(a) - A75] – International Mobility Program - Canada.ca