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A bridging open work permit lets people who have applied for permanent residence under certain economic programs keep working while they wait for a decision. It bridges the gap when a current work permit is about to expire. It is an open permit, so the holder can work for most employers.
Permanent-residence applicants in eligible economic streams whose work permit is expiring.
Our licensed advisors assess your eligibility, build a strategy to strengthen your application, and manage the process end to end, so you submit a complete, competitive application with confidence.
A Bridging Open Work Permit is a valuable option for individuals who have applied for permanent residence in Canada and are waiting for a decision.
Often yes. Spouses and common-law partners of many work permit holders can apply for their own open work permit, with validity matching your permit.
To be eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit, you must have a pending permanent residence application in an eligible economic program, such as Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Program, and currently hold a valid wor
No. A BOWP is an open work permit, so it is not tied to a specific employer and does not require a job offer or LMIA.
You can travel, but if your permit expires while you are abroad you lose temporary resident status and cannot work on return until a new permit is approved.
Your authorization to work flows from the PR application; if PR is refused you generally cannot keep relying on the BOWP and must hold other valid status to remain.
Apply before your current employer-specific work permit expires, ideally while you still hold valid status, and only after IRCC has accepted your complete PR application.
Principal applicants in federal economic Express Entry programs and many Provincial Nominee Program applicants can qualify, subject to conditions.
