Temporary Residence
Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
An open work permit that lets eligible workers keep working while their permanent residence application is processed.
Overview
A Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) lets certain workers already in Canada keep working while IRCC processes their permanent residence application. It's an open work permit, so it isn't tied to one employer, and it's designed to cover the gap between a work permit that is running out and a final decision on permanent residence.
Eligibility depends on the program you applied under and how far your application has progressed. Express Entry applications — Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades — must have passed the completeness check, while provincial nominee applications made outside Express Entry must have passed the eligibility review. Provincial nominees qualify only if their nomination has no employment restrictions, and some other programs, including the Quebec skilled worker program and certain caregiver and agri-food pilots, have their own conditions.
Spouses and dependent children may be able to get their own open work permits based on your application. If you're being sponsored as a spouse or common-law partner from inside Canada, the BOWP isn't the right tool — there's a separate open work permit linked to the sponsorship application.
Who may consider this: Workers in Canada whose permit is running out while their application for permanent residence under an eligible program is in process.
Eligibility Considerations
- Living in Canada when you apply for the BOWP
- A valid work permit, maintained status after applying to extend it, or eligibility to restore your status as a worker
- An application for permanent residence as the principal applicant under an eligible program, such as Express Entry, a Provincial Nominee Program or the Quebec skilled worker program
- An application that has reached the required stage, such as passing the completeness check for Express Entry
- For provincial nominees, a nomination with no employment restrictions
- No criminal or medical inadmissibility concerns
How It Works
Permanent Residence File Review
We confirm which program you applied under and whether your application has reached the stage needed for a BOWP.
Status Check
We check your current work permit, maintained status or restoration eligibility, and how much time remains.
Timing Plan
We plan the application to reduce the risk of a gap in your right to work.
Application Preparation
The BOWP application is prepared online from inside Canada with your acknowledgement of receipt and supporting documents.
Working While You Wait
If you apply before your current permit expires, you can generally keep working under its conditions while the BOWP is processed.
Decision & Family Permits
Once the BOWP is approved, we review open work permit options for your spouse or dependent children.
Documents You May Need
Document requirements vary by applicant and pathway — not every applicant needs every item below. We confirm your specific list during an assessment.
- Acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) letter for your permanent residence application
- Provincial nomination letter showing no employment restrictions, if applicable
- Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ), if you applied as a Quebec skilled worker
- Current work permit, or proof you applied to extend it before it expired
- Valid passport and digital photo
Common Issues to Watch For
These are presented to help you prepare, not to cause concern — most are avoidable with careful preparation.
- Applying with only an Express Entry profile, before a permanent residence application has been submitted
- Applying before the permanent residence application has reached the required stage
- A provincial nomination tied to a specific employer, which rules out a BOWP
- Assuming every caregiver pilot qualifies — applicants under the newer home care worker pilots are not eligible
- Letting the current permit expire without applying, leaving a gap in the right to work
How We Help
- Confirm your permanent residence application and program qualify before you rely on a BOWP
- Plan timing around your current permit to avoid a gap in work authorization
- Prepare a complete BOWP application and track it to a decision
- Advise on work permit options for your spouse and dependent children
- Explain alternatives, such as restoration or a new employer-specific permit, if a BOWP isn't available
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply as soon as I'm in the Express Entry pool?+
No. A profile in the pool is not a permanent residence application. You need an invitation, a submitted application and a passed completeness check before you can apply for a BOWP.
Does my current permit need to be about to expire?+
You need a valid work permit, maintained status or eligibility to restore your status. In practice, a BOWP is most useful when your permit will run out before a decision on your permanent residence. We check the timing for your situation.
Can I change employers on a BOWP?+
Yes. It's an open work permit, so it generally lets you work for most employers in Canada while it's valid, giving you flexibility while your permanent residence application is processed.
Can my spouse or children get work permits too?+
They may be eligible for their own open work permits based on your situation, subject to current conditions. We assess each family member's options alongside your BOWP.
My spouse is sponsoring me from inside Canada. Is this permit for me?+
No. Spouses and partners being sponsored from inside Canada have a separate open work permit option linked to the sponsorship application, which we cover on our spousal sponsorship page.
The information on this website is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration policies, fees, processing times, and eligibility requirements change frequently. Please verify current requirements with official government sources or a qualified immigration professional before making decisions.