Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
Statutory definition
The BOWP is issued under IRPR r 205(c)(ii) as a work permit that may be issued without a Labour Market Impact Assessment on the basis that its issuance is justified for Canadian interests — specifically, to allow applicants awaiting a permanent residence decision to remain employed in Canada.
Explanation
The BOWP allows an applicant for permanent residence from within Canada to bridge the gap between the expiry of their current work permit and the decision on their PR application. It is not employer-specific — it is an open work permit allowing the holder to work for any employer.
Eligibility criteria include: the person must be in Canada; their work permit must be expiring within four months or have expired; they must have a pending PR application in an eligible category (most economic class categories); and they must be in valid temporary resident status.
How this term is used
The BOWP is particularly useful for Express Entry applicants who submit their PR application from within Canada and whose work permit expires before the PR is decided. It prevents a gap in employment authorization. The BOWP must itself be renewed if the PR decision takes longer than expected.