Canada Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP): Requirements, Eligibility, Process & Documents for Indians
An employer-free bridge for PR applicants whose work permit is expiring — no LMIA, no job offer, and work for almost any Canadian employer while your Express Entry or eligible PNP PR application finalises.
Varies — check IRCC tool
CAD 255
Up to 2 years
Canada Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) is a temporary, employer-free work permit issued by IRCC to foreign workers already in Canada who have applied for permanent residence under Express Entry or an eligible Provincial Nominee Program stream and whose current work permit is close to expiring. It is designed as a continuity bridge — keeping applicants legally employed while their PR application is processed, so they do not have to stop working or leave the country while waiting for a final decision. A BOWP is not a new PR pathway; it only extends work authorisation during the PR processing window.
To qualify, the applicant must be physically in Canada with valid temporary status, hold or have held an eligible work permit, and have received an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) for a completed PR application. As of current IRCC rules, the BOWP application must be submitted within 4 months of the current work permit's expiry. Total fees come to CAD 255 (CAD 155 work permit + CAD 100 open work permit holder fee), plus CAD 85 biometrics. BOWPs are typically valid for up to 2 years, require no LMIA and no job offer, and allow holders to work for almost any Canadian employer while their Express Entry, CEC, FSWP, FSTP, or eligible PNP PR application is finalised.
Eligibility
Who can apply for Canada Bridging Open Work Permit?
- Foreign workers currently in Canada on a valid work permit who have applied for Canadian PR under Express Entry (CEC, FSWP, or FSTP)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applicants under eligible streams — only federal (non-Enhanced) PNP applicants qualify; Enhanced PNP candidates apply via Express Entry
- Applicants whose current work permit is within 4 months of its expiry date at the time of BOWP application
- PR applicants who have received an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) from IRCC confirming their complete PR application is in processing
- Applicants maintaining valid temporary resident status in Canada at the time of applying for the BOWP
- Current open work permit or employer-specific work permit holders transitioning to PR who need continued work authorisation
- Spouses or common-law partners of principal BOWP applicants may apply for their own Spousal Open Work Permit (subject to the January 21, 2025 rules — principal in NOC TEER 0/1 or a select TEER 2/3 priority-sector occupation, with 16+ months remaining on the permit)
- Applicants who applied from within Canada and remain physically present in Canada throughout the BOWP application
BOWP eligibility hinges on a live PR application and a 4-month work permit expiry window. Verify your exact status against current IRCC rules at canada.ca before applying.
Requirements
What are the requirements and key details of Canada Bridging Open Work Permit?
- Physical Presence in Canada: Applicant must be physically in Canada at the time of BOWP application
- Valid Temporary Status: Must hold valid worker status — or be maintaining status — when applying
- Current Work Permit: Must currently hold an eligible work permit that is within 4 months of expiry
- Eligible PR Application: Must have applied for PR under Express Entry (CEC, FSWP, FSTP) or an eligible non-Enhanced PNP stream
- Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR): IRCC must have issued an AOR confirming a complete PR application is in processing
- Expiry Window: BOWP must be submitted within 4 months of the current work permit's expiry date
- No LMIA Required: Yes — BOWPs are explicitly LMIA-exempt
- No Job Offer Required: Yes — no Canadian employer or offer is needed to apply
- Work Permit Fee: CAD 155
- Open Work Permit Holder Fee: CAD 100 — mandatory in addition to the work permit fee
- Biometrics Fee: CAD 85 per applicant, if biometrics are not already valid
- Inland Online Application: BOWP must be submitted online via the IRCC Secure Account — no paper-based intake
- Enhanced PNP Ineligibility: Enhanced PNP candidates apply via Express Entry — direct non-EE Enhanced PNP nominees are not eligible for BOWP
- Compliance with Conditions: Cannot work for unauthorised employers (sex trade, certain childcare/medical employers)
- No Duplicate Permits: A BOWP replaces the existing work permit once issued — it is not stacked on top of the old permit
Program Details
Canada Bridging Open Work Permit: Full Specifications & Immigration Parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Visa Type | Bridging Open Work Permit (temporary resident) |
| Official Program Name | Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) — subcategory of Open Work Permit |
| Program Stream | Employer-free bridging permit for PR applicants |
| Visa Category | Temporary resident — work |
| Points Based | No — BOWP eligibility is category-based, tied to an in-process PR application |
| CRS Applicable | No for the BOWP itself; CRS applies at the underlying Express Entry PR stage |
| Province Specific | No — BOWP is federal; however, some PNP streams have province-specific rules for the PR application |
| Leads to PR | Yes — BOWP is issued only to applicants already in PR processing |
| Leads to Citizenship | Yes, after PR is granted and 1,095 days of physical presence in 5 years is met |
| Minimum Age | No statutory minimum for BOWP itself; tied to underlying PR program rules |
| Maximum Age | No maximum for BOWP itself |
| Education Requirement | No separate education requirement for BOWP; PR program (CEC/FSWP/FSTP/PNP) sets this |
| Language Test Required | No test for BOWP itself; required at PR stage (Express Entry / PNP) |
| Minimum Language Score | Not applicable at BOWP stage |
| Work Experience Required | Not required for BOWP; underlying PR program sets experience thresholds |
| Minimum Work Experience (Years) | 0 (for BOWP itself) |
| Job Offer Required | No |
| LMIA Required | No |
| Employer Restriction | None (open) — work for almost any Canadian employer |
| Current Work Permit Required | Yes — applicant must hold a valid work permit or be within 4 months of expiry |
| Location Requirement | Applicant must be physically in Canada when applying |
| AOR from IRCC Required | Yes — Acknowledgement of Receipt for a complete PR application is mandatory |
| Eligible PR Programs | Express Entry (CEC, FSWP, FSTP) and eligible (non-Enhanced) PNP streams |
| Time Before Expiry Window | Apply within 4 months of current work permit's expiry date |
| Investment Required | No |
| Financial Proof Required | Generally not separately required for BOWP; PR program sets settlement funds |
| Settlement Funds Amount (CAD) | Not applicable to BOWP itself |
| Medical Exam Required | Usually not re-required if valid results are already on file from PR application |
| Police Clearance Required | Only if specifically requested; typically covered at PR stage |
| Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) | Not applicable |
| Biometrics Required | Typically reused from the PR application if within 10-year validity window |
| Interview Required | Rarely — only if a visa officer specifically requests one |
| Government Application Fee (CAD) | CAD 155 for the work permit |
| Open Work Permit Holder Fee (CAD) | CAD 100 |
| Total BOWP Fee (CAD) | CAD 255 (CAD 155 + CAD 100) |
| Biometrics Fee (CAD) | CAD 85 per applicant (if new biometrics required) |
| Additional Fees (CAD) | Courier and service fees, if applicable |
| Average Processing Time | Varies — check the IRCC processing-times tool for current estimates |
| Application Mode | Online only via the IRCC Secure Account (inland application) |
| Visa Validity | Typically up to 2 years from issuance |
| Extension Allowed | Limited — BOWPs are not routinely extended; new BOWP possible only if PR still pending and eligibility intact |
| Work Rights | Open — work for almost any Canadian employer (exceptions: unauthorised employers in sex trade or certain medical/childcare roles) |
| Study Rights | Short prerequisite courses only; BOWP does not extend study permit status |
| Visitor Status Extension | No — BOWP does not extend visitor or study status, only work authorisation |
| Spouse Can Apply | Yes — spouse/common-law partner can apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit if the BOWP holder meets the Jan 21, 2025 SOWP criteria (TEER 0/1 or select TEER 2/3 priority-sector, with 16+ months remaining on the permit) |
| Spouse Can Work | Yes — under SOWP rules, subject to the BOWP holder's TEER eligibility and remaining-permit duration |
| Children Can Accompany | Yes — dependent children may accompany as temporary residents |
| Children Can Study | Yes — minor dependent children may attend Canadian K-12 public schools without a separate study permit |
| PR Eligibility | Already in PR processing — PR is granted when the underlying Express Entry/PNP application is finalised |
| Citizenship Eligibility After | After PR and 1,095 days of physical presence in the preceding 5 years |
| Official Source URL | canada.ca/bridging-open-work-permit |
* Data sourced from official IRCC publications. Fees and processing times subject to change — verify at canada.ca before applying.
Document Checklist
Documents Required for a Canada Bridging Open Work Permit: Category-Specific Checklist
Identity & Travel
- Valid Indian passport(minimum 6 months beyond intended stay)
- Digital passport-size photographs per IRCC specs
- Completed application form IMM 5710 (inland work permit application)
- Copy of current Canadian work permit and study/visitor history, if any
Eligibility Category Proof
- Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) from IRCC for the PR application(Express Entry or eligible PNP)
- Provincial nomination certificate(for non-Enhanced PNP applicants)
- Proof of Express Entry Invitation to Apply (ITA) and e-APR submission confirmation
- Copy of current work permit showing expiry within 4 months of BOWP submission
Status & Employment Proof
- Employer letter confirming current employment and role(if currently working)
- Recent pay stubs or T4 slips showing active Canadian employment
- Proof of maintained status in Canada throughout the current permit period
- Any record of previous immigration decisions, refusals, or Canadian permits
Financial Documents
- Recent bank statements showing ability to self-support during BOWP validity
- Proof of accommodation in Canada(lease or ownership record, if available)
- Copy of the PR application settlement funds proof(if Express Entry FSWP or FSTP)
Compliance
- Biometrics confirmation(reused from the PR application if within 10-year validity)
- Valid medical examination results(typically reused from the PR application if still valid)
- Police Clearance Certificate(from every country of 6+ months residence since age 18, if requested)
- Payment receipts for CAD 155 + CAD 100 (+ CAD 85 biometrics, if applicable)
Note: Document requirements may vary by university and IRCC processing stream. Always verify the latest checklist at canada.ca before applying.
Application Process
Step-by-Step Canada Bridging Open Work Permit Application Process
Confirm BOWP Eligibility
Verify you meet all five conditions: physically in Canada, holding a valid work permit within 4 months of expiry, applied for PR under Express Entry (CEC, FSWP, FSTP) or an eligible non-Enhanced PNP stream, received an AOR from IRCC, and maintaining valid temporary status.
Secure AOR for Your PR Application
Obtain the Acknowledgement of Receipt letter from IRCC for your complete PR application. Without the AOR, a BOWP cannot be issued. For Express Entry applicants, the AOR is generated after submitting the e-APR following an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Prepare the Inland Online Application
Create or log in to your IRCC Secure Account. Start a new application using form IMM 5710 for inland work permit applications. Select the bridging open work permit category and attach all supporting documents under the correct upload slots.
Pay the Fees
Pay CAD 155 for the work permit and CAD 100 for the open work permit holder fee — total CAD 255. If biometrics are not already valid from a previous application, add CAD 85. All payment is processed online via credit card inside the IRCC Secure Account.
Submit Before Current Permit Expires
Submit the BOWP application while your current work permit is still valid and within 4 months of its expiry. Submitting before expiry allows you to continue working under 'implied status' or 'maintained status' while the BOWP is being processed.
Complete Biometrics If Required
If your previous biometrics are older than 10 years or were never collected, book a VFS appointment. Most BOWP applicants have already provided biometrics with their PR application and do not need to repeat the step.
Continue Working Under Maintained Status
While the BOWP is in processing, you may continue working for the same employer under maintained status (if you applied before your current permit expired). Do not leave Canada during processing — departure can void maintained status.
Receive BOWP and Bridge to PR
Once approved, IRCC issues the BOWP (typically valid up to 2 years). Download the permit from your IRCC account and inform your employer. Continue PR processing — when your PR is finalised, the BOWP is replaced by permanent resident status.
The Canada Bridging Open Work Permit is a narrow but essential tool for foreign workers whose PR application is in progress but whose current work permit is about to expire. It preserves legal employment during the Express Entry, CEC, FSWP, FSTP, or eligible PNP processing window — a critical safeguard for high-CRS applicants and provincial nominees who would otherwise face forced work interruptions or departure from Canada.
Because BOWP eligibility hinges on very specific conditions — an AOR on file, a 4-month expiry window, inland presence in Canada, and a qualifying PR program — applicants must plan submissions carefully and avoid leaving Canada during processing. Spousal open work permit eligibility for BOWP holders is now tied to the January 21, 2025 SOWP rules (principal in TEER 0/1 or a select TEER 2/3 priority-sector occupation, with 16+ months remaining on the permit), so couples should map both permits together.
Always check the IRCC processing-times tool and the current BOWP eligibility page at canada.ca before submitting. Policy windows around the 4-month rule and PNP eligibility can shift — for a full walkthrough of related pathways, explore the linked Express Entry, Canadian Experience Class, and Open Work Permit guides.
For detailed insights on eligibility, document checklist, visa validity, and common refusal reasons, explore the Canada Open Work Permit hub for detailed FAQs and related streams.
Related Resources
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