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What Is a Bridging Open Work Permit

Bridging open work permit is a pathway that comes under the temporary open work permit category. Securing this permit, the visa holder can stay in Canada while working here until the permanent residency (PR) application is in process. BOWP helps to secure your legal status to stay and work in Canada, and offers flexibility to maintain your financial stability during the PR processing period. 

Eligibility for Bridging Work Permit

Who can apply for a bridging open work permit in Canada?

The applicant can apply for BOWP, if they meet the following eligibility criteria:

• If the applicant is currently living in Canada under a legal status or an implied status, with a BOWP application processing.
• The applicant can apply for BOWP if their existing work permit is expiring within four months.
• If the applicant has submitted the PR application under any of these programs and Learn eligibility based on Express Entry or PNP stage:
• Express Entry - Federal Skilled Worker Program FSWP, Canadian Experience Class CEC, Federal Skilled Trades Program FSTP
• Provincial Nominee Program PNP
• Caregiver for Children or People with High Medical Needs
• Quebec Skilled Worker Class is subject only under certain situations
• You have received an Acknowledgement of Receipt - AOR from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada confirming that your Permanent Residency application is in progress.
• The bridging open work permit Canada provides the security to your legal stay between the work permit expiry and the PR application processing decision. The applicant gets the eligibility to apply after submitting the complete application form at any stage of Express Entry or PNP. 

Bridging Open work permit Document checklist Required for Application

The applicant applying for BOWP must have furnished all the needed documents to meet the requirements. The application can be applied through online in the official portal of IRCC or through an experienced CICC-registered consultant. Bridging Open work permit requirements are:

• Valid passport of the applicant with a biodata page
• It is mandatory to furnish the Acknowledgement of Receipt AOR received from IRCC, to confirm your eligibility to apply for a bridging open work permit.
• The applicant must provide the details of the current work permit, details for showing whether the current permit expiry falls within 120 days
• Though it is not mandatory to submit the Job offer letter or proof of employment, the papers would support the application of the BOWP applicant.
• The applicant must furnish the documents, photos or bills to prove their maintained legal status in Canada
• Recent passport-sized photo
• Biometrics should be submitted if it was not previously given by the applicant during the application

The applicant must provide all the needed documents to the consultant processing their visa application to enjoy a smooth process.

How to Apply for BOWP in Canada

Are you wondering, How do I apply for a BOWP in Canada?. Here is the step-by-step process to apply for the Bridging work permit.

Process to apply for BOWP

• The applicant must confirm the eligibility of the PR application and must furnish a photocopy of the Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) received from IRCC. 
• The applicant must provide the details of the current permit, ensuring that the expiry date is at least four months from the current date of the permit.  
• Now, log in to your IRCC account
• Fill out the IMM 5710 form for an open work permit. While applying for this permit, the applicant must stay inside Canada
• The next step is to upload all the supporting documents needed for the application

                  -  The applicant’s passport,
                  -  AOR Acknowledgement of Receipt
                  -  Copy of current work permit 
                  -  Applicant’s photo 

• Pay application fees of CAD155 along with the open work permit holder fee of CAD100
• After navigating and completing all the processes, submit your BOWP application online visa portal
• After the application process, wait for the mail confirmation to know the status, and other future updates for the application from IRCC

Processing Time and Validity of BOWP

Bridging Open work permit processing time for the BOWP visa application ranges between 4 and 8 weeks. But this may be affected by many factors like IRCC visa office workloads, holidays and extra time for the applicant’s documentation verification in some cases. IRCC updates about the changes online; hence, the applicant should have a track of the latest status and updates.   

Bridging work permit validity will mostly align with the expiry date of the applicant’s current work permit. This remains the same until IRCC reveals their decision in the Permanent residence application. The applicant does not have to reapply until any situation changes require it. In such situations, the need to apply for the renewals is rare; you need to prove only your retaining eligibility conditions. Apply online via IRCC or through a consultant.

What Happens If You Have Dependents

Bridging open work permit for Spouses and Common-Law Partners

The applicant’s spouse or common-law partner may also be eligible to apply for an open work permit based on the primary applicant’s bridging open work permit. Through this, the spouse or the common law partner can enjoy the benefit of working without any interruptions during their stay in Canada, sometimes even before their own permit is finalised.

Bridging Open work permit Dependent - Children

• The applicant’s children travelled to Canada under a dependent visa, can continue to stay in their visitor visa status or an open study permit. They can apply for the same and ensure whether the visa application is submitted along with proof of relationship with the primary applicant and current permit status.
• The visa holder can continue to work and stay legally in Canada without interruption or inconvenience in their status from acquiring a Bridging open work permit IRCC.
• The applicant will be provided with an Open work permit status if selected, without the need to provide a valid job offer from an employer or having LMIA restrictions.
• Securing a BOWP will help the applicant to avoid status lapse between work permit expiry and PR decision, and maintain legal status until Permanent residency confirmation.
• The applicant does not need to make any International travel; they can apply for the BOWP while inside Canada.
• The applicant can work for any employer or change jobs while waiting to know their PR application status.

FAQs
Can I work in Canada while waiting for PR?
Yes, you can apply for BOWP if you are already in Canada and your existing work permit expires within four months. You can wait until your PR application is being processed under eligible programs like Express Entry or PNP, which you have applied for. Another mandatory condition is, the applicant must have received an AOR from IRCC and continue working legally in Canada while waiting for PR.

How long is a BOWP valid for?
The bridging open work permit validity extends until the period taken by IRCC to make a decision on your PR application. The BOWP processing times range from about 4 to 8 weeks, but validity can extend beyond until the status of your PR review.

Do I need a job offer for a bridging open work permit?
No, furnishing a valid job offer given by the employer is not required. Since it is an open permit, you can work for any employer. However, providing an optional job offer letter may support your application.

How much does a BOWP cost?
The BOWP application fee is CAD 155, and the open work permit holder fee is CAD 100; the applicant has to pay a total of CAD 255.

What if my work permit expires before I apply?
You must apply before your current work permit expires, ensuring it falls within four months of expiry. A timely application through the online IRCC portal prevents losing legal status.