What is a bridging open work permit and do I qualify?
A Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) is designed for foreign workers whose current work permit is expiring while they wait for a decision on their Canadian permanent residence application. It is a federal program that allows eligible applicants to continue working in Canada without interruption.
To qualify, you generally must hold a valid work permit, have applied for permanent residence under a qualifying stream (such as Express Entry's Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled Worker Program), have reached a specific stage in that application (such as receiving an Invitation to Apply and submitting a complete PR application), and have a work permit that will expire within a certain window.
The BOWP is an open work permit — you are not tied to a single employer while it is in effect. This matters because the path to PR often involves job changes and career growth.
Eligibility requirements and the qualifying PR streams have evolved over time. Because the timing of applications must align precisely with your PR application stage and your existing permit expiry, planning early with an immigration lawyer is advisable to avoid gaps in your authorization to work.
Key takeaways
- The BOWP lets eligible PR applicants keep working while their PR application is decided.
- You must hold a valid permit, have a pending PR application, and meet stage-specific requirements.
- The BOWP is open — not tied to one employer.
- Timing is critical; get legal advice before your current permit nears expiry.