Bridging Open Work Permit Eligibility Guide

A Bridging Open Work Permit, or BOWP, is an absolute lifeline for anyone in Canada who has applied for permanent residence. It lets you keep working legally while you’re waiting for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to make a final decision on your PR application.

Think of it as a temporary pass that bridges the gap between your expiring work permit and your future permanent resident status. This is a game-changer, especially for skilled workers already settled and contributing to the economy in places like Ontario and across the country. It means no forced stop in your career.

Understanding the Purpose of a Bridging Open Work Permit

Picture this: you’re running a marathon and you can see the finish line—that’s your permanent residency. But you’re getting tired, and your current energy source—your work permit—is about to run out. A BOWP is that crucial water station that gives you the boost you need to finish the race without collapsing.

Waiting for a decision from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) can be a long haul. For many applicants in busy hubs like Toronto, Burlington, and the rest of the GTA, this waiting period often outlasts their existing work permit. Without the BOWP, you’d have to stop working and might even have to leave Canada, completely upending your life. The Canadian government created the BOWP to prevent exactly that kind of disruption.

Who Is the BOWP Designed For?

The BOWP isn’t a free-for-all; it’s specifically for a select group of foreign nationals who have already proven their value to Canada’s economy and are on a clear track to becoming permanent residents. It’s designed for the main applicants of certain economic immigration programs who are already living and working in Canada.

This special permit delivers two major benefits:

• Keeps You Working: You can maintain your job and income, continuing to support yourself and contribute to your employer without any breaks.
• Maintains Your Legal Status: It ensures you can legally stay in Canada while your PR application is processed, which offers incredible stability and peace of mind.

A Bridging Open Work Permit falls under the International Mobility Program, which means it’s exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This is a huge plus because your employer doesn’t have to go through the complex and costly LMIA process to keep you on board.

Key Characteristics of a BOWP

A critical feature of the BOWP is that it’s an open work permit, and that distinction is everything. Most work permits are “closed,” meaning they tie you to one specific employer and role. An open permit, on the other hand, gives you the freedom to work for almost any employer, anywhere in Canada. This flexibility is invaluable if your job situation changes while you’re waiting for your PR decision.

Now that you understand what the BOWP is for, you’ll see why IRCC’s eligibility rules are so specific. We’ll get into those details next. But first, it helps to see where the BOWP fits into the bigger picture of working in Canada. For a full rundown, check out our guide on the different Canadian work visa types.

Meeting the Core BOWP Eligibility Criteria

The journey to permanent residency in Canada is exciting, but it often involves a lot of waiting. The Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) is a lifeline designed to keep you working legally while your PR application is processed. But it’s not for everyone. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has very specific, non-negotiable rules about who qualifies.

Think of it like this: your BOWP application has four essential pillars. If even one is shaky or missing, the whole application will be refused. Let’s walk through exactly what you need to have in place.

The Four Pillars of BOWP Eligibility

To get a BOWP, you absolutely must meet all four of these conditions. There are no exceptions.

1. You have to be in Canada. This is the first and most straightforward rule. You must be physically present in the country when you apply. You can’t apply for a BOWP from overseas or at a port of entry—it’s strictly for temporary residents already living here.

2. You need valid temporary status. This usually means you have a work permit that’s still valid. If it has expired, you might still qualify if you applied to extend it before it expired. This puts you on what’s called maintained status, which allows you to keep working. Restoring your status is another potential option in some cases.

This flowchart breaks down the initial questions you need to answer.

As you can see, it all starts with having a work permit that’s about to expire and a PR application already in the works.

3. You must be the principal applicant on your PR application. The BOWP is only for the main person whose name is on the permanent residence application. Your spouse or dependent children can’t get a BOWP, though they might be eligible for other types of open work permits linked to your status.

4. You must have your Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR). This is the golden ticket. The AOR is the official letter from IRCC confirming they’ve received your PR application and it has passed the initial completeness check. A simple submission confirmation email doesn’t count.

The Critical Timing: Your Four-Month Window

Timing is everything with a BOWP application. One of the biggest mistakes people make is applying too early. IRCC is firm on this: you can only apply if your current work permit is set to expire within the next four months.

If you apply five or six months before your permit expires, it will be rejected. This four-month window is a hard rule, so get your calendar out and plan accordingly.

Crucial Takeaway: You cannot apply for a BOWP before you have the official AOR letter from IRCC in hand. This document is non-negotiable proof that your PR application is officially being processed.

Understanding Your Status

Your legal status in Canada is the bedrock of your application. Most people will have a valid work permit. But what if it expires while you’re waiting for a decision on an extension you already applied for? In that case, you have maintained status. This is a huge advantage, as it means you can legally continue working under the same conditions as your old permit until you get a final decision.

Getting these four pillars right is just the start. For a deeper dive into the required paperwork, you can review our guide on work permit application requirements.

Ultimately, a successful BOWP application comes down to careful planning. You need to be in Canada, have status, be the principal applicant, and—most importantly—have that AOR letter before you enter the four-month application window. If you can check all those boxes, you’re in a great position to keep your career on track while you wait for your PR.

Which PR Streams Qualify for a BOWP?

Not every permanent residence application in Canada gives you a shot at a Bridging Open Work Permit. It’s a common misconception. You need to think of your PR application stream as a specific key—only a handful of them will unlock the BOWP door. Knowing exactly which stream you’re in is the first and most critical step.

The whole point of the BOWP is to help skilled economic immigrants stay in the workforce while their permanent residency is being finalized. These are people who have already proven they can contribute to Canada’s economy and have passed the first major hurdles of their PR application. They’re just waiting on the final paperwork.

This is why the BOWP is limited to certain economic streams and doesn’t apply to other routes, like family sponsorships or refugee claims, which have their own unique work permit processes.

Federal Economic Immigration Programs

If you’ve applied for PR through the Express Entry system, you’re likely on the right path. The BOWP was practically designed for principal applicants in these major federal economic programs.

These include the big three:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): Aimed at skilled workers with foreign work experience.
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): A popular route for those with at least one year of skilled Canadian work experience.
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): For qualified tradespersons looking to become permanent residents.

For anyone in these streams, the magic moment is receiving your Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) letter after you submit your electronic Application for Permanent Residence (e-APR). That AOR is your green light to apply for a BOWP, provided you meet all the other eligibility rules. If you’re still navigating that system, our guide on how to apply for Express Entry in Canada can help you get to that stage.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Rules

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is another common way to get a BOWP, but there’s a huge catch. It all comes down to whether your provincial nomination has strings attached.

Your nomination certificate is the key document here. If it clearly says your employment is unrestricted, you’re good to go for a standard BOWP. However, if your nomination ties you to a specific employer, you are not eligible for a BOWP. In that case, you’d need your employer to support you with a different, employer-specific work permit.

Important Note: Even with an “open” BOWP, a PNP nominee is still tied to their province. If you were nominated by Ontario, for instance, your BOWP allows you to work for any employer you choose, but you have to stay and work within Ontario.

Other Eligible and Ineligible Streams

Beyond the big federal and provincial programs, a few smaller pilots, like the Agri-Food Pilot and certain caregiver streams, also qualify. On the flip side, many common immigration routes are completely ineligible for a BOWP.

Knowing which side of the line your application falls on is crucial to avoid wasting time and money on an application that’s destined for refusal.

To make this crystal clear, here’s a quick breakdown of which programs work and which don’t.

Eligible vs Ineligible PR Programs for a BOWP Application

PR Program Category	Eligible for BOWP?	Important Notes
Express Entry (FSWP, CEC, FSTP)	Yes	You must be the principal applicant and have received your AOR.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)	Yes (with conditions)	Your nomination letter must state that there are no employment restrictions.
Quebec Skilled Worker	Yes	You must hold a valid Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ).
Agri-Food Pilot	Yes	Eligibility is confirmed after receiving a positive eligibility assessment.
Spousal Sponsorship	No	Spouses have a separate, dedicated open work permit application process.
Refugee Claims	No	Refugee claimants follow a different system for obtaining work permits.
Humanitarian & Compassionate	No	These applications do not qualify for a BOWP.

It’s easy to get tangled up in the different types of work permits. Canada essentially has two main pathways: the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP). The BOWP is part of the IMP, which means it doesn’t require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This is a huge advantage compared to many employer-specific permits under the TFWP.

How to Prepare Your BOWP Application

Knowing you qualify for a bridging open work permit is one thing, but actually putting together a successful application is where the real work begins. The timing and details are everything. Think of it like a delicate baking project—miss one ingredient or get the timing slightly off, and the whole thing can fall flat.

There are two golden rules you absolutely cannot forget. You can only apply after you get your official Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) letter for your permanent residence application. And you must apply before your current work permit expires. Submitting too early or a day too late will get you an automatic refusal.

Understanding Maintained Status

So, what happens if your current work permit expires while you’re waiting for a decision on your BOWP application? This is where a crucial concept called maintained status saves the day.

As long as you submit your BOWP application before your current permit’s expiry date, you can legally keep working in Canada under the very same conditions. This status kicks in automatically, giving you—and your employer—peace of mind while IRCC works through its queue.

Your Document Checklist

A successful application is a complete one. Missing documents are one of the most common reasons for frustrating delays and outright refusals. To avoid this, let’s go through exactly what you’ll need.

• IMM 5710 Form: This is the main application form, formally titled “Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker.” It’s absolutely vital that you select “Open Work Permit” when the form asks what type of permit you’re applying for.
• Copy of Your AOR Letter: This is the key piece of evidence. A simple submission confirmation email won’t cut it; you need the official Acknowledgment of Receipt letter from IRCC to prove your PR application is in the system.
• Proof of Fee Payment: You’ll need to pay both the work permit processing fee and the open work permit holder fee. Always save a copy of the receipt and include it with your submission.
• Copy of Your Passport: Make sure you provide a clear, easy-to-read copy of your passport’s main bio-data page, plus any pages that have stamps, visas, or other markings.
• Digital Photo: You’ll also need a recent digital photograph that meets all of IRCC’s specific requirements.

Remember, the responsibility for a complete and accurate application rests entirely on you. Double-checking every field on the IMM 5710 form and ensuring all supporting documents are correctly uploaded can save you months of stress and potential complications.

Step-by-Step Submission Process

Once you have all your documents organized, you’ll submit the application online through your IRCC secure account. The portal is designed to be user-friendly, but you still need to be precise.

1. Log in to your IRCC account: This is the same portal you use to manage your other immigration applications.
2. Start a new application: Look for the option to apply for a work permit from inside Canada.
3. Answer the questionnaire: The system will guide you through a series of questions. Your answers are used to generate a personalized document checklist just for you.
4. Upload your documents: This is where you’ll upload each file you prepared. Make sure they are in the correct format (usually PDF or JPG).
5. Pay the fees: You can pay the government fees online with a credit card. Don’t forget to save the receipt.
6. Submit your application: Before you hit that final “submit” button, give everything one last review to catch any potential errors.

Navigating the details of extending your stay can feel complicated, but breaking it down into clear steps makes it much more manageable. For a deeper dive, you can learn more about the process in our guide on how to complete an open work permit extension. A little preparation goes a long way in ensuring you can continue working in Canada without a hitch while you wait for your permanent residency.

Work Permits for Your Spouse or Partner

One of the first questions people ask while navigating their permanent residency application is, “What about my family?” If you’re in line for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP), it’s only natural to wonder if your spouse or common-law partner can also work in Canada while you wait for that final decision.

The short answer is yes, they often can. But there’s a catch: their eligibility for an open work permit is almost always tied directly to your job. This creates a critical link between your employment and their ability to work here.

The High-Skilled Occupation Requirement

For your spouse or partner to get their own open work permit, you (the main BOWP holder) generally need to be working in what the Canadian government considers a high-skilled job. This isn’t just a guideline; it’s a firm requirement from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

So, what exactly counts as high-skilled? Canada’s immigration system uses the Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) system to categorize jobs. Your position must fall into one of these specific groups:

• TEER 0: Management jobs
• TEER 1: Occupations that typically require a university degree
• TEER 2: Occupations that usually need a college diploma or an apprenticeship of two years or more
• TEER 3: Occupations that call for a college diploma, a shorter apprenticeship, or significant on-the-job training

If your job is classified as TEER 4 or TEER 5, your spouse or partner likely won’t be able to get an open work permit based on your employment.

Why This Rule Exists: The logic from the government’s side is pretty clear. By letting the spouses of high-skilled workers join the labour market, Canada makes it easier to attract and keep top talent. The policy is designed to help families settle in more smoothly and contribute to the economy together.

Navigating Recent Policy Changes

The rules for spousal open work permits have been a moving target lately, which has caused a lot of confusion for families in Ontario and across the GTA. It’s crucial to know the recent history to understand where things stand now.

Back in December 2022, IRCC temporarily opened the doors wide, making spouses and dependents of most foreign workers eligible for open work permits to tackle major labour shortages. This was a huge change, letting hundreds of thousands more family members work for any employer in Canada.

However, that wider access was never meant to be permanent. In early 2024, IRCC started tightening the rules again to better manage the number of temporary residents. We’re now largely back to the previous policy, which focuses on the partners of high-skilled workers. You can read more about how these policy shifts affect families in this in-depth analysis of open work permits.

How Your Partner Can Apply

If you’re working in a qualifying high-skilled job, your spouse or common-law partner can go ahead and apply for their own open work permit. Their application is separate from your BOWP application, but it’s directly linked to your status as a skilled worker.

They will need to submit proof that you’re employed in a qualifying TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 job. This usually means providing documents like recent pay stubs and an official letter from your employer.

Getting these details right is a huge part of planning your family’s future in Canada. If you’re also looking at other ways to bring your partner here, our detailed spousal sponsorship checklist is a great resource for exploring another key immigration option.

Avoiding Common BOWP Application Pitfalls

Even the most careful applicants can hit a snag when applying for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP). A small, seemingly insignificant mistake can snowball into delays, a refusal, and a mountain of stress. Knowing what these common pitfalls are ahead of time is your best defence for building a solid application and protecting your right to work in Canada.

One of the biggest tripwires is timing. It’s a classic scenario we see all the time: your current work permit is about to expire, but you still don’t have the Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) letter for your permanent residence application. If you submit the BOWP application without that AOR, it’s an automatic refusal. No exceptions.

This puts you in a really tough spot. The only real solution here is proactive planning. You need to get your PR application submitted with plenty of time to spare, so you have that AOR in hand long before your work permit’s expiry date starts looming.

What Happens If Your BOWP Is Refused

Getting a refusal notice is a gut punch, but it doesn’t always mean game over. The very first thing you need to do is read the refusal letter from top to bottom. You must understand the officer’s exact reasoning.

Most refusals boil down to a few common issues:

• Applying without an AOR: You jumped the gun and submitted the application too early.
• Applying from an ineligible PR stream: Your pathway to permanent residence simply doesn’t qualify you for a BOWP.
• Losing legal status: Your temporary status expired before you managed to submit the application.

Depending on the reason, you might be able to fix the problem and re-apply. But if the refusal means you’ve now lost your status in Canada, things get complicated fast. At that point, you’ll almost certainly need professional legal help to see if options like restoration of status are even possible.

Key Takeaway: Whatever you do, do not let your temporary status in Canada lapse. Losing status puts your ability to work and your entire permanent residence application at risk. Restoring your status is a difficult, time-sensitive process with no guarantee of success.

Changing Jobs While on Maintained Status

Another tricky situation comes up when you want to change jobs. If you got your BOWP application in before your old work permit expired, you are now on what’s called maintained status. This is a good thing! It means you can keep working for the same employer under the same conditions of your old permit while you wait for a decision.

Here’s the catch: you absolutely cannot start a new job with a different employer while you’re on maintained status. Your legal right to work is tied to your previous permit until that new, shiny BOWP is approved and physically in your hands. Starting a new job before then is considered working without authorization, which is a serious immigration violation.

The rules for open work permits in Canada have seen a lot of changes recently, which directly impacts how people can bridge their status. These stricter requirements mean that nailing the specific criteria for programs like the BOWP is more crucial than ever. For more background on these shifts, you can find detailed immigration trends and statistics on Canada.ca.

Your Top BOWP Questions Answered

Even with a solid game plan, questions always pop up when you’re dealing with something as important as your work status. Let’s tackle some of the most common questions we hear from clients about Bridging Open Work Permits.

Can I Apply for a BOWP if I Have an Employer-Specific Work Permit?

Yes, you absolutely can. It doesn’t matter if your current work permit is tied to one specific employer or if it’s an open one. Your eligibility for a BOWP hinges on having a valid temporary status and a complete permanent residence application in the queue, not the type of permit you currently hold.

The best part? If your BOWP application is approved, you’ll be issued a brand new open work permit. This gives you the incredible freedom to work for almost any employer in Canada while you wait for your PR decision. It’s a huge weight off your shoulders.

What Happens if My PR Application Is Refused?

This is a scenario many people worry about, and it’s a valid concern. If your permanent residence application is refused after your BOWP has already been issued, the work permit itself doesn’t automatically become invalid. You can continue to work legally in Canada until the expiry date printed on the permit.

However, once that BOWP expires, you can’t renew it. It’s a one-time bridge linked to that specific PR application. You’ll need to figure out another way to stay in Canada legally, like getting a different type of work permit, before your BOWP runs out.

A Word of Advice: Think of the BOWP as a temporary solution, not a permanent one. Its entire purpose is to bridge a gap. It’s always smart to have a backup plan in mind in case your PR application doesn’t go through.

Can I Travel Outside of Canada on a BOWP?

Leaving Canada while your immigration status is in flux can be tricky, so you need to be very careful.

• While your BOWP application is processing: We strongly advise against leaving Canada during this period. You’re on “maintained status,” which is a fragile legal state. Leaving the country could break that status, and a border officer may not let you back in to work. It’s a massive risk.
• After your BOWP is approved and in your hands: Once you have the physical work permit, you can travel. But remember, the work permit itself doesn’t guarantee re-entry. You still need a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to board a flight and enter Canada.

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Trying to figure out Bridging Open Work Permit eligibility can feel overwhelming. If you’re stuck on your specific case or just want a professional to look things over, get in touch with UL Lawyers. Our immigration team helps people just like you maintain their status and work towards their goal of permanent residence. You can schedule a consultation on our website to get started.