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Bridging Open Work Permits (BOWPs) allow foreign nationals to continue working in Canada while their permanent residence (PR) application is being processed.
Without a BOWP, foreign nationals and their families—including spouses, common-law partners, and dependents—would need to leave Canada temporarily, stay in Canada under visitor status (which means they would have to stop working), or find an employer willing to apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Note: Compared to work permits requiring an LMIA, open work permits like a BOWP offer more flexibility. Open work permits (OWPs) allow holders to work for most employers in various industries across Canada.
Who is Eligible for a BOWP?
To qualify for a BOWP, foreign nationals must:
- Be currently in Canada, having entered as a temporary resident (TR).
- Hold valid status in Canada in one of three ways:
- Have a valid work permit
- Maintain status with authorization to work (after applying to renew their work permit)
- Be eligible to restore their temporary resident status*
- Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Express Entry: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Express Entry: Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSW)
- Agri-Food Pilot Program
- Caring for Children Class or Caring for People with High Medical Needs Class (if the application was submitted before June 18, 2019)
- Express Entry: Electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR) has passed the completeness check under Section 10 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).
- QSW Program: APR has passed the completeness check under Section 10 of the IRPR.
- All other BOWP-eligible programs: Candidate has received a positive eligibility assessment on their APR.
More: [Click here for more information on the BOWP, including how to apply and required documentation]
Are Family Members of a BOWP Holder Eligible for an Open Work Permit?
OWP eligibility for family members varies based on their relationship to the BOWP holder.
Spouse or Common-law Partner
The spouse or common-law partner of a BOWP holder may be eligible for an OWP if the BOWP holder meets these conditions:
- Holds a valid work permit or is authorized to work in Canada without a work permit
- Authorized to work in Canada for at least six months from the date the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) application is received
- Resides in Canada or plans to do so while employed
- In a genuine relationship with their spouse/common-law partner
- Employed in one of the following ways:
- In an occupation under National Occupation Classification (NOC) Skill Level 0, A, or B
- In an NOC 0, A, B, or C occupation (Atlantic Immigration Pilot applicants only)
- In any occupation, if holding a provincial nomination certificate or a Quebec Selection Certificate
Dependent Children
Dependent children of a BOWP holder are not eligible for an OWP. They must obtain an LMIA or an LMIA exemption to apply for a work permit.
Employment Location Conditions for BOWP Applicants
OWPs provide flexibility regarding employers and job changes. However, BOWPs may have location-specific conditions for employment in two cases:
PNP Applicants
IRCC mandates that PNP applicants with a BOWP are restricted to employment locations within the nominating province or territory.
Quebec Applicants
QSW program applicants must select Quebec as their employment location when applying for a BOWP.