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Bridging Open Work Permit Guidance

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Securing a Bridging Open Work Permit in Canada

A Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) serves as an essential pathway for individuals seeking to maintain their employment in Canada while awaiting the final decision on their permanent residency application submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IR). The BOWP provides a pivotal advantage for prospective permanent residents, allowing them to integrate into the Canadian workforce seamlessly.

This comprehensive guide is designed to navigate you through the BOWP application process, courtesy of PL Immigration.

Guide to Obtaining a BOW Help Permit

Eligibility Assessment:

Determine if you meet the criteria to apply for a BOWP. It’s essential for applicants to have submitted a permanent residence application and still possess a valid work permit.

Application Submission:

Complete the application package for a BOWP, which includes necessary forms and supporting documentation. Ensure all information is accurate and complete to avoid any delays.

Processing Times and Fees:

Familiarize yourself with the current processing times and applicable fees to plan accordingly. It’s important to account for these factors when preparing your application.

Maintain Status:

You must continue to comply with the conditions of your current work permit until your BOWP is issued. Failure to maintain a valid status could impact your BOWP application.

Integration into the Canadian Workforce:

With a BOWP, you can work for any employer in Canada while you wait for your permanent residency decision. Use this time to gain valuable Canadian work experience.

Bridging the Gap with Open Work Permits for Permanent Residence Applicants

The Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) serves as a pivotal mechanism allowing individuals residing in Canada to maintain their employment status during the processing time of their permanent residence applications.

Candidates who find themselves within Canadian borders and have initiated the permanent residence process through one of the qualifying economic immigration initiatives can explore the possibility of securing a BOWPH. To be deemed eligible, applicants must either possess an active work permit, be in good standing with respect to work authorization as a consequence of having applied for a work permit renewal, or have the capacity to reinstate their status as temporary residents, alongside the requisite authorization to engage in employment via a work permit.

Foreign nationals gainfully employed within Canada who have embarked on the journey towards permanent residency status through economic immigration pathways can avail themselves of the opportunity to remain employed during the interim period leading up to the decision on their residency application. The economic pathways encompass:

Federal Skilled Worker Program
Canadian Experience Class
Federal Skilled Trades Program
Provincial Nominee Program
Quebec Skilled Workers program
Agri-Food Pilot Program.

The issuance of an open work permit is a mutually beneficial arrangement. It unfolds as an advantageous prospect not only for the Canadian government, communities, and employers, but also for the residency applicants along with their family members. Absent this program, such individuals would confront limited options: either exiting Canada temporarily, remaining in the country under visitor status, or pursuing alternative employment, which necessitates an employer to undertake the process of a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

Grasping an open work permit, noted for its versatility and allowance for employment with any Canadian employer, greatly enhances the applicants’ capability to assimilate and maneuver through Canada’s job market landscape. This advantage is particularly notable considering that these applicants have already met the criteria for permanent residence and are actively contributing to the Canadian workforce.

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Qualifying Criteria for a Bridging Open Work Permit

Securing a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) presents a valuable opportunity for individuals seeking to extend their stay in Canada while awaiting permanent residence. To qualify for a BOWP through PL Immigration, applicants must adhere to a set of prerequisites, which are outlined as follows:

The applicant must be physically present in Canada with lawful admittance as a temporary inhabitant.
The applicant is required to:
hold a current work permit with valid status, OR
possess maintained status and the right to engage in employment in Canada under section 186(u) of the IRPR following a work permit renewal application per subsection R201(1), OR
be eligible to reestablish their status as a temporary resident, coupled with the authorization to be employed based on a work permit.
The principal applicant must have lodged an Application for Permanent Residence (APR) through any of the designated programs, including:
The Federal Skilled Program
Canadian Experience Class
Federal Skilled Trades Program
Provincial Nominee Program
Quebec Skilled Workers
Agri-Food Pilot Program
Caring for Children or People with High Medical Needs Class (considered only for applications before June 18, 2019)
It is imperative that the APR reaches specific milestones relevant to the applicant’s chosen immigration pathway:
For those applying via the Express Entry system, the electronic application must undergo and pass the completeness review under Section 10 of the IRPR.
Applications under the Quebec skilled worker program should also clear the completeness check stipulated in Section 10 of the IRPR.
For the APR submitted through Caring for Children Class, Caring for People with High Medical Needs Class, Agri-Food Pilot, or a non-Express Entry PNP stream, a favorable preliminary assessment of eligibility is needed.

The BOWP serves as a pathway for individuals to responsibly bridge the transitional phase between temporary and permanent residency in Canada, enabling eligible candidates to sustain their professional engagements without interruption. Applicants must diligently ensure that they meet the requirements set by PL Immigration to successfully secure their work permit under these provisions.

Eligibility Criteria for Spousal Work Permit Accompanying

To accompany a PL Immigration work permit holder in Canada by obtaining their own work permit, spouses must satisfy specific requirements:

The possession of a current work permit or qualification to work in Canada without a permit as per Section 186(w) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).
A guarantee of authorized employment in Canada for a minimum of six months following the submission of the application for a spousal work permit.
Current employment in Canada within these classifications:
A role that is categorized within the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Levels 0, A, or B.
A position in any occupational category provided there is an existing nomination certificate from a provincial nominee program.
Any occupation whilst being a recipient of a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec).

Children as Dependents and Work Authorization

Children who are dependents of work permit holders are not granted the same access to open work permits. Instead, they are required to either acquire a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or qualify for an LMIA-exempt status under their unique circumstances to apply for a work permit.

Regulations for Work Permit Employment Locations for Provincial Nomination and Quebec Selections

In managing the issuance of a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP), PL Immigration adheres to specific regional employment constraints for candidates in line with provincial nomination programs and those chosen by Quebec.

Provincial Nominee Program Employment Restrictions

Candidates seeking permanent residence through any Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) must adhere to the condition that their work permit is confined to the province that has nominated them. As such, during the BOWP application process, the employed individual must ensure that they select the province which has extended the nomination. Subsequently, the city within that province or territory must be indicated to reflect the proper work permit employment location.

Quebec-Skilled Worker Nominees and Employment Location

For those individuals who have the distinction of being nominated by Quebec as skilled workers and are pursuing permanent residence, PL Immigration requires that the Quebec province is declared as the intended place of work on their BOWP. This ensures that their work permit is compliant with the provincial selection for employment purposes.

By conforming to these stipulated guidelines, candidates can ensure that their work permit reflects the correct territorial employment restrictions and aligns with the conditions of their provincial nomination or skilled worker selection by Quebec.

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