Am I Eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit?

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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: