Which Permanent Residence Programs are Eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)?

A Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) allows you to continue working while awaiting the outcome of your permanent residence application.

You might qualify if you’ve submitted an application under one of the permanent residence programs listed below.

Which permanent residence program did you apply to?

• Express Entry for permanent residence
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
• Quebec Skilled Worker Program
• Home Child-Care Provider Pilot or Home Support Worker Pilot
• Caring for Children or Caring for People with High Medical Needs classes
• Agri-Food Pilot

Express Entry for permanent residence

If you applied through Express Entry, these instructions pertain to permanent residence applications under:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Canadian Experience Class
• Federal Skilled Trades Program

Eligibility for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)

To qualify for a BOWP, you must:

• Reside in Canada (and plan to live outside Quebec) at the time of your application.
• You may leave Canada while your application is processed. However, if you depart after your work permit expires, you cannot work until your new application is approved.
• Either:
• Have a valid work permit,
• Have an expired work permit but maintained your worker status,
• Be eligible to restore your status and obtain a work permit.
• Be the principal applicant on your permanent residence application.
• Have submitted a complete permanent residence application and passed the completeness check. Note that submitting a profile to the Express Entry pool does not constitute applying for permanent residence. Ensure you understand the Express Entry process.
• Possess the acknowledgement of receipt letter from IRCC. This letter is sent to your account after IRCC receives your permanent residence application.

If You’re Not Yet Eligible for a BOWP

Avoid letting your work permit expire while waiting for an invitation to apply. Maintain your status in Canada by extending your work permit.

Your employer may need to obtain a new Labour Market Impact Assessment or submit a new offer of employment to facilitate this extension.

Supporting Documents

When applying for a BOWP, include:

• The supporting documents listed in the document checklist.
• A copy of your acknowledgement of receipt letter.

For Online Applications:

• Upload your acknowledgement of receipt letter in the “Client Information” field.

How to Apply

To apply:

1. Follow the instructions for extending or changing the conditions of your work permit.
2. Select “Open work permit” as the type of work permit.
3. Pay the work permit processing fee and the open work permit holder fee.

In most cases, you must apply online. If you encounter difficulties with online applications, you can apply on paper.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

If You Applied for the Provincial Nominee Program via Express Entry

Who Can Apply

To qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP), you need to:

• Be living in Canada (and plan to reside outside Quebec) when you submit your BOWP application.
• You can travel outside Canada while IRCC reviews your application. However, if you leave after your current work permit expires, you won’t be able to work until your new application is approved.
• Meet one of the following criteria:
  • Hold a valid work permit,
  • Have an expired work permit but have maintained your worker status,
  • Be eligible to restore your status and obtain a work permit.
• Be the main applicant on your permanent residence application.
• Not have employment restrictions related to your nomination.
• Submit a complete application for permanent residence and pass the completeness check. Note that merely submitting a profile to the Express Entry pool is not equivalent to applying for permanent residence. Ensure you understand the Express Entry process.
• Receive an acknowledgement of receipt letter from IRCC, which is sent to your account once IRCC receives your application.

If You’re Not Yet Eligible for a BOWP

To avoid issues, do not let your work permit expire while awaiting an invitation to apply. Extend your work permit to maintain your status in Canada.

Your employer may need to get a new Labour Market Impact Assessment or provide a new offer of employment to facilitate this.

Supporting Documents

When applying for a BOWP, ensure you include:

• The required supporting documents listed in the document checklist.
• A copy of your nomination letter.
• A copy of your acknowledgement of receipt letter.

For Online Applications:

• Upload your acknowledgement of receipt letter and your nomination letter in the “Client Information” section.

Check how to upload multiple documents to a single field in your online application.

Application Instructions

To apply:

1. Follow the process for extending or changing the conditions of your work permit.
2. Select “Open work permit” as the permit type.
3. Pay both the work permit processing fee and the open work permit holder fee.

Typically, you must apply online. If you encounter issues with the online process, you can submit a paper application.

If You Applied for the Provincial Nominee Program (Not Through Express Entry)

Eligibility Criteria for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)

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

• Reside in Canada (and plan to live outside Quebec) at the time of your application.
• You are allowed to leave Canada while IRCC processes your application. However, if you depart after your current work permit expires, you cannot work until your new application is approved.
• Meet one of the following conditions:
  • Hold a valid work permit,
  • Have an expired work permit but have kept your worker status,
  • Be eligible to restore your status and obtain a new work permit.
• Be the principal applicant for your permanent residence application.
• Have no restrictions on employment as a condition of your nomination.

Required Supporting Documents

When applying for a BOWP, include:

• The necessary supporting documents listed in the document checklist.
• A copy of your nomination letter.
• A copy of the acknowledgement of receipt letter from when you submitted your Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) permanent residence application.

For Online Submissions:

• Upload the acknowledgement of receipt letter from your PNP application in the “Client Information” field.

Application Instructions

To apply:

1. Follow the guidelines for extending or altering the conditions of your work permit.
2. Select “Open work permit” as your permit type.
3. Pay both the work permit processing fee and the open work permit holder fee.

Applications are generally submitted online. If you face issues with the online process, you may apply using a paper application.

mitted online. If you face issues with the online process, you may apply using a paper application.

If You Applied for Permanent Residence as a Quebec Skilled Worker

Eligibility for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)

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

• Reside in Canada and plan to live in Quebec.
• You may leave Canada while IRCC processes your application. However, if you leave after your work permit expires, you cannot work until your new application is approved.
• Hold a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ).
• Be the principal applicant for your permanent residence application.
• Have successfully passed the completeness check for your permanent residence application.
• Meet one of the following criteria:
• Have a valid work permit,
• Have an expired work permit but have maintained your worker status,
• Be eligible to restore your status and obtain a new work permit.

Supporting Documents

When applying for a BOWP, you need to include:

• The required supporting documents listed in the document checklist.
• A copy of your CSQ.
• A copy of the letter showing your permanent residence application number, which starts with the letter “E”.

For Online Applications:

• Upload the letter showing your permanent residence application number in the “Client Information” field.

How to Apply

To apply:

1. Follow the guidelines for extending or modifying the conditions of your work permit.
2. When asked, respond “yes” to the question: “Have you been informed by an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada office that you are approved in principle for permanent residence in Canada?”
3. Select “Open work permit” as the type of work permit.
4. Pay the work permit processing fee and the open work permit holder fee.

Applications are usually submitted online. If you encounter difficulties with the online process, you have the option to apply on paper.

If You Applied for the Home Child Care Provider Pilot or Home Support Worker Pilot

Eligibility for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)

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

• Be residing in Canada (and intend to live outside Quebec) when you apply for the BOWP.
• You can leave Canada while IRCC processes your application. However, if you leave after your work permit expires, you cannot work until your new application is approved.
• Have been approved in principle for permanent residence.
• Demonstrate that you have at least six months of qualifying work experience.
• Meet one of the following criteria:
  • Hold a valid work permit,
  • Have applied to extend your work permit before it expired,
  • Be eligible to restore your status and obtain a new work permit.

Supporting Documents

When applying for a BOWP, include:

• The documents specified in the document checklist.
• A copy of the letter from IRCC confirming that your permanent residence application has been approved in principle.

For Online Applications:

• Upload the approval in principle letter in the “Client Information” field.

How to Apply

To apply:

1. Follow the instructions for extending or modifying the conditions of your work permit.
2. Choose “Open work permit” as the permit type.
3. Pay both the work permit processing fee and the open work permit holder fee.

Most applications must be made online. If you encounter issues with the online process, you can submit a paper application.

If You Applied for the Caring for Children Class or Caring for People with High Medical Needs Class

Eligibility for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)

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

• Be living in Canada (and plan to live outside Quebec) at the time of your BOWP application.
• You may travel outside Canada while IRCC processes your application. However, if you leave after your work permit expires, you cannot work until your new application is approved.
• Fulfill one of these conditions:
  • Hold a valid work permit,
  • Have an expired work permit but have maintained your worker status,
  • Be eligible to restore your status and obtain a new work permit.
• Be the principal applicant on your permanent residence application.
• Have been approved in principle for permanent residence.
• Have submitted a complete application for permanent residence before the program closure date of June 18, 2019.

Supporting Documents

When applying for a BOWP, include:

• The required documents listed in the document checklist.
• A copy of the letter from IRCC confirming that your permanent residence application has been approved in principle.

For Online Applications:

• Upload the approval in principle letter in the “Client Information” field.

How to Apply

To apply:

1. Follow the guidelines for extending or changing the conditions of your work permit.
2. Select “Open work permit” as the type of permit.
3. Pay both the work permit processing fee and the open work permit holder fee.

Typically, applications must be submitted online. If you encounter difficulties with the online process, you may submit a paper application.

If You Applied for the Agri-Food Pilot

Eligibility for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)

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

• Be residing in Canada (and intend to live outside Quebec) at the time of your BOWP application.
• You may leave Canada while IRCC processes your application. However, if you depart after your work permit has expired, you cannot work until your new application is approved.
• Meet one of the following conditions:
  • Hold a valid work permit,
  • Have an expired work permit but have maintained your worker status,
  • Be eligible to restore your status and obtain a new work permit.
• Be the principal applicant for your permanent residence application.
• Have been approved in principle for permanent residence.

Supporting Documents

When applying for a BOWP, include:

• The necessary supporting documents listed in the document checklist.
• A copy of the letter from IRCC confirming that your permanent residence application has been approved in principle.

For Online Applications:

• Upload the approval in principle letter in the “Client Information” field.

How to Apply

To apply:

1. Follow the instructions for extending or modifying the conditions of your work permit.
2. Choose “Open work permit” as the type of permit.
3. Pay both the work permit processing fee and the open work permit holder fee.

Most applications must be submitted online. If you encounter difficulties with the online system, you can submit a paper application.