Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP): Your Complete Transition Guide

What Is a Bridging Open Work Permit?

A Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) is Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) solution to a critical gap: what happens when your current work permit expires while you’re waiting for your permanent residence application to be processed?

The BOWP serves three essential functions that most applicants don’t fully understand. First, it maintains your legal work status in Canada without interruption. Second, it provides employment flexibility by allowing you to work for any employer, not just your current one. Third, it acts as a crucial bridge, ensuring you can continue contributing to the Canadian economy while IRCC processes your permanent residence application.

What this means for you: You’re not stuck in employment limbo. The BOWP gives you the legal right to continue working and earning income while waiting for your permanent residence decision, which can take 12-24 months depending on your immigration program.

Real mistake we’ve seen: Applicants waiting until their current work permit expires before applying for a BOWP. This creates a gap in legal work authorization that can affect your permanent residence application and employment continuity.

🔗 Check Your BOWP Eligibility

BOWP Eligibility Requirements: The Complete Framework

Understanding BOWP eligibility isn’t just about meeting basic requirements—it’s about timing your application strategically and understanding the nuances that separate successful applications from delayed ones.

Core Eligibility Criteria

You must have an active permanent residence application in progress. This means your application has been submitted to IRCC and is under review. The application cannot be withdrawn, refused, or abandoned. Your permanent residence application must be for one of these programs:

• Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades)
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
• Quebec Skilled Worker Program
• Caregivers Program
• Start-up Visa Program
• Self-employed Persons Program

Your current work permit must be valid or have expired within the last 90 days. This is where many applicants get confused. You can apply for a BOWP even if your current work permit has expired, as long as it’s been less than 90 days since expiration. However, you cannot work during this gap period.

You must be physically present in Canada when you apply. BOWP applications cannot be submitted from outside Canada. If you’ve left Canada, you’ll need to apply for a new work permit through the regular process.

Principal Applicant vs. Family Member Status

If you’re the principal applicant on the permanent residence application, your eligibility is straightforward. You meet the requirements if you have an active PR application and meet the work permit criteria above.

If you’re a family member (spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child), your eligibility depends on the principal applicant’s status. The principal applicant must be eligible for a BOWP, and you must be included in their permanent residence application.

What this means for you: Family members can get BOWPs even if they don’t currently have work permits, as long as the principal applicant is eligible and they’re included in the PR application.

Processing Stage Requirements

Here’s what most guides won’t tell you: the processing stage of your permanent residence application matters. Your PR application must have progressed beyond the initial completeness check. IRCC needs to confirm they’re actively reviewing your application for a decision.

For Express Entry applications: Your application must have passed the completeness check and entered the assessment phase. This typically happens 1-2 months after submission.

For Provincial Nominee Program applications: Your application must be in the federal processing stage after receiving your provincial nomination.

Real mistake we’ve seen: Applicants applying for BOWPs immediately after submitting their PR applications, before IRCC has confirmed the application is complete and under review. This leads to BOWP refusals and wasted time.

If you’re applying from a country with high refusal rates: Processing officers may scrutinize your application more carefully. Ensure all documentation is complete and demonstrates strong ties to your current employment and residence in Canada.

🔗 Get BOWP Timing Strategy

BOWP Application Process: Step-by-Step Strategy

The BOWP application process is deceptively simple on the surface, but the timing and documentation strategy can make the difference between approval and refusal.

Optimal Application Timing

Apply 4-6 months before your current work permit expires. This gives IRCC sufficient time to process your application (current processing times are 4-5 months) while ensuring you maintain continuous work authorization.

What this means for you: Don’t wait until the last minute. Processing delays are common, and you want your BOWP approved before your current work permit expires to avoid any gap in work authorization.

Required Documentation Checklist

Core Documents (Required for all applicants):

• IMM 5710 Application to Change Conditions, Extend Stay or Remain in Canada
• Copy of passport (all pages)
• Digital photo meeting IRCC specifications
• Copy of current work permit
• Proof of permanent residence application (acknowledgment letter or file number)
• Application fee payment ($255 CAD)

Supporting Documents (Strengthen your application):

• Current employment letter confirming position and salary
• Recent pay stubs (last 3 months)
• Bank statements showing financial stability
• Copy of lease agreement or proof of residence
• Medical exam results (if applicable to your PR application)

For family members:

• Marriage certificate or common-law partnership evidence
• Birth certificates for dependent children
• Proof of inclusion in principal applicant’s PR application

Application Submission Strategy

Submit online through the IRCC portal. Paper applications take significantly longer to process and are more prone to errors.

Create a comprehensive cover letter. While not required, a cover letter explaining your situation, employment history, and connection to Canada can help processing officers understand your application context.

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Include a timeline showing your work permit history, PR application progress, and planned BOWP duration. This demonstrates your understanding of the process and commitment to maintaining legal status.

Status Maintenance During Processing

You can continue working under maintained status if you apply for your BOWP before your current work permit expires. This is called “implied status” and allows you to continue working for your current employer under the same conditions as your expiring work permit.

If your work permit has already expired: You cannot work until your BOWP is approved. Plan accordingly and consider applying for restoration of status if you’re within the 90-day window.

Real mistake we’ve seen: Applicants changing employers or job positions while on implied status. You must maintain the same employment conditions until your BOWP is approved.

BOWP Duration and Workplace Flexibility

Understanding what you can and cannot do with a BOWP is crucial for maximizing its benefits and avoiding compliance issues.

Standard Validity Periods

BOWPs are typically issued for 12-18 months or until your permanent residence application is finalized, whichever comes first. The exact duration depends on several factors:

• Your permanent residence application’s expected processing time
• Your passport’s expiration date (BOWP cannot extend beyond passport validity)
• IRCC’s assessment of your case complexity

What this means for you: You’re not locked into a short-term solution. BOWPs provide meaningful work authorization that gives you stability while waiting for permanent residence.

Employment Freedom and Flexibility

Unlike closed work permits, BOWPs allow you to work for any employer in Canada. This is one of the BOWP’s most significant advantages. You can:

• Change employers without applying for a new work permit
• Work multiple jobs simultaneously
• Start your own business (with proper business registration)
• Work in any occupation and location in Canada

Geographic and sectoral restrictions don’t apply to BOWPs. You can work anywhere in Canada, in any field, for any employer.

Exception: You cannot work in occupations that require medical exams if you haven’t completed them as part of your permanent residence application.

Renewal Possibilities and Limitations

BOWPs can be renewed if your permanent residence application is still in process and you continue to meet eligibility requirements. However, IRCC may require additional documentation showing your PR application’s continued progress.

Renewal strategy: Apply for renewal 4-6 months before your current BOWP expires, following the same process as your initial application.

Real mistake we’ve seen: Applicants assuming they can renew BOWPs indefinitely. If your permanent residence application is taking longer than expected, IRCC may question why and require additional evidence of application progress.

Strategic Timing and Family Considerations

Successful BOWP applications require strategic thinking about timing, family inclusion, and long-term planning.

Timing Optimization Strategies

Consider your permanent residence application’s processing stage. If your PR application is nearing completion, you might not need a full-term BOWP. However, processing times can be unpredictable, so it’s usually better to apply for the maximum duration available.

Coordinate with provincial nomination timelines. If you’re waiting for a provincial nomination, time your BOWP application to bridge the gap between your current work permit and expected nomination approval.

Factor in potential delays. IRCC processing times are estimates, not guarantees. Build buffer time into your planning to account for unexpected delays in either your BOWP or permanent residence application.

Family Member Inclusion Strategy

Spouses and common-law partners included in your permanent residence application can apply for their own BOWPs, even if they don’t currently have work permits. This provides valuable employment flexibility for families.

Dependent children over 18 who are included in the PR application may also be eligible for BOWPs if they meet the criteria.

What this means for you: BOWPs can provide dual-income opportunities for families, significantly improving financial stability during the permanent residence waiting period.

Provincial Nominee Program Integration

If you have a provincial nomination, your BOWP application is generally straightforward. However, some provinces have specific requirements or recommendations for maintaining your nomination while on a BOWP.

British Columbia: Maintain your employment with your nominating employer or in your nominated occupation. Ontario: No specific restrictions, but notify the province of significant employment changes. Alberta: Continue working in your nominated occupation to maintain nomination validity.

If you’re applying from a high-refusal-rate country and have a provincial nomination: Your nomination significantly strengthens your BOWP application by demonstrating provincial government support for your permanent residence application.

Common Challenges and Expert Solutions

Understanding potential pitfalls and having strategies to address them can mean the difference between a smooth BOWP experience and months of uncertainty.

Application Timing Issues

Challenge: Applying too early (before PR application completeness check) or too late (after work permit expiration).

Solution: Monitor your permanent residence application status through the IRCC portal. Apply for your BOWP once you receive confirmation that your PR application is complete and under review, but at least 4-6 months before your current work permit expires.

Documentation Deficiencies

Challenge: Incomplete or unclear documentation leading to processing delays or requests for additional information.

Solution: Create a comprehensive documentation package that tells your story clearly. Include a cover letter explaining your situation, employment history, and ties to Canada. Ensure all documents are properly translated and certified if required.

Real mistake we’ve seen: Submitting generic employment letters that don’t clearly demonstrate ongoing employment and financial stability. Your employment letter should include specific details about your position, salary, employment duration, and employer’s commitment to continued employment.

Processing Delays and Communication

Challenge: BOWP processing times exceeding estimates, creating uncertainty about work authorization.

Solution: Apply early and maintain detailed records of all communications with IRCC. If processing times exceed published estimates by more than 4 weeks, consider contacting IRCC through their web form or calling the client support center.

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Set up case status alerts and regularly check your application status. If you notice any changes or requests for additional information, respond immediately to avoid further delays.

Success Optimization Strategies

Create a compelling narrative. Your BOWP application should demonstrate your commitment to Canada, stable employment, and genuine intention to complete the permanent residence process.

Maintain consistency. Ensure all information in your BOWP application aligns with your permanent residence application. Inconsistencies can trigger additional scrutiny and delays.

Plan for contingencies. Have backup plans in case your BOWP is delayed or refused. This might include exploring other work permit options or adjusting your employment arrangements.