Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) offers work permits in two wide categories, which are – Openwork permit and employer-specific work permit. Open work permits to Canada are available for different purposes, one of them being the BridgingOpen Work Permit (BOWP). BOWP is specifically designed for candidates working in Canada on a work permit that expires while they await a decision on their application for permanent residence in Canada. This is to ensure that these candidates can continue to work by applying for a work permit extension while their Canadian PR application is being processed.

With a BOWP, you will be able to work for any employer, anywhere in Canada. You can only apply for a BOWP if you have a valid work permit that expires in no more than four months, and have already applied for Canada PR.

If you need to extend your Canadian work permit while IRCC reviews and makes a decision on your CanadaPR application, then you may benefit by consulting a qualified and experienced immigration lawyer.Contact Ravneet Kaur Brar at IMB Immigration Law today to start the application process.

Eligibility Criteria For BOWP

You must meet the following eligibility criteria to be eligible for a BOWP. You must:

• Be living in Canada, but not in Quebec.
• Be working legitimately in Canada on a valid work permit.
• Have a work permit already that has a validity of no more than four months before it expires.
• Have already submitted an application for permanent residence in Canada as a principal applicant for one of the following programs:
  • Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
  • Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC)
  • Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC)
  • Provincial Nominee Class (PNC), with no employer-specific restrictions on nominations
  • Agri-Food Pilot (AFP)
  • Home Child-Care Provider Pilot or Home Support Worker Pilot
• Have received a positive eligibility assessment from IRCC for your Canada PR application after passing the completeness check.
• Have made an application for an open work permit.
• Work Permit for Spouse/Common-law Partner

If you have obtained a BOWP, your spouse or common-law partner, also dependents may be eligible to apply for an open work permit under the following conditions:

• Your BOWP has a validity of6 months or more
• If you applied for Canada PR under the Federal Skilled Worker Class, you must be working in an occupation that is at skill levels 0, A or B in the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
• If you applied for Canada PR under FST, you must be working in an occupation that is at NOC skill level B.

If you applied for Canada PR through a PNP, regardless of your occupation’s skill level, your spouse/common-law partnermay be eligible to obtain an open work permit,however, only for the duration same as your BOWP.

There aren’t any criteria that you need to meet for Canada PR applications made under CECto enable your spouse/common-law partner to apply for an open work permit.

Work Permit For Your Dependents

Your dependent children must have a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA exemption to apply for a work permit.Contact us to get more information in this regard.

Contact IMB ImmigrationLaw

If you need to secure a BOWP, contact Ravneet Kaur Brarwho will also be able to guide you during the application process. With her years of experience in the immigration domain as an immigration lawyer, you can be assured of receiving qualified consultation and professional assistance.