The Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) is an essential tool that allows foreign nationals residing in Canada to legally continue working while their permanent residence (PR) application is being processed. BOWP provides an opportunity to avoid gaps in employment and status for those whose current work permits or temporary status are set to expire.
Without BOWP, foreign nationals and their accompanying family members — including spouses, common-law partners, and dependents — may be required to:
- Temporarily leave Canada;
- Remain in Canada as visitors, which prohibits working;
- Find an employer willing to apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which is often a complicated and time-consuming process.
Unlike employer-specific work permits that require an LMIA, open work permits such as the BOWP provide significant flexibility. Holders of an open work permit can work for most employers across Canada without requiring a new LMIA for each job.
1. Who Is Eligible for a BOWP
To qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit, foreign nationals must meet the following conditions:
1. Be Physically Present in Canada:
- The applicant must be inside Canada with valid temporary resident (TR) status at the time of application.
2. Hold Valid Status in Canada through one of the following:
- A valid work permit;
- Maintained status after applying to extend their work permit (formerly called implied status);
- Eligibility to apply for restoration of temporary resident status.
3. Have Applied for Permanent Residence under an Eligible Economic Immigration Program:
- Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP);
- Express Entry: Canadian Experience Class (CEC);
- Express Entry: Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP);
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP);
- Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSW);
- Agri-Food Immigration Pilot;
- Home Child Care Provider or Home Support Worker programs (only for applications submitted before June 18, 2019).
4. Meet the Program-Specific Application Stage Requirements:
- For Express Entry applicants: the electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR) must have passed the completeness check under section 10 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR);
- For Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSW): the application must have passed the completeness check under section 10 of the IRPR;
- For other eligible programs: the applicant must have received confirmation of meeting the eligibility requirements for their program.
Note: Individuals eligible to apply for restoration of temporary resident status must also be eligible to work or apply for a work permit.
2. Are Family Members of BOWP Holders Eligible for Open Work Permits
Spouses or Common-Law Partners:
They may be eligible for an open work permit (Spousal Open Work Permit, SOWP) if:
- The BOWP holder has a valid work permit or is authorized to work without one;
- The BOWP holder’s work permit is valid for at least six months from the date the spouse/partner applies for the SOWP;
- Both partners reside in Canada or intend to reside in Canada during the validity of the permit;
- The relationship is genuine and properly documented;
- The BOWP holder is employed in a qualifying occupation, which must meet one of the following conditions:
- Employment falls under National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER levels 0, 1, 2, or 3;
- For Atlantic Immigration Program applicants: employment is within NOC 0, A, B, or C;
- The BOWP holder has a valid provincial nomination or a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ), regardless of occupation.
Dependent Children:
Dependent children are not eligible for open work permits based on their parent’s BOWP. To work in Canada, they must:
- Obtain a work permit supported by a positive LMIA;
- Or qualify for an LMIA exemption under applicable regulations.
3. Regional Work Restrictions for BOWP Holders
While BOWP offers general flexibility in employment, certain categories of applicants are subject to regional work conditions:
PNP (Provincial Nominee Program) Applicants:
- BOWP holders nominated under a PNP must work exclusively in the province or territory that issued the nomination. Employment outside the nominating province violates BOWP conditions.
Quebec Applicants:
- Foreign nationals who received a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) and applied for PR must reside and work within the province of Quebec while holding a BOWP.
Other Categories:
- If no specific regional conditions apply, BOWP holders may freely change employers, locations, and occupations across Canada without additional government approvals.
Conclusion
The Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) is an effective mechanism that allows eligible foreign workers who have applied for permanent residence to maintain legal status and uninterrupted employment in Canada.
Proper use of the BOWP ensures:
- Continuity of legal status during PR processing;
- Unrestricted work opportunities, with limited exceptions;
- Flexibility to change employers and occupations (except for PNP and Quebec-specific limitations);
- Streamlined access to work permits for accompanying spouses and partners, subject to program criteria.
However, applicants must strictly comply with BOWP conditions, renew documents on time, and notify employers of their immigration status when required. Violating BOWP terms may lead to loss of work authorization and negatively impact permanent residence applications.
