Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)

The nominating province or territory may impose employment restrictions on a successful nominee for some employer-driven PNC streams until the applicant becomes a permanent resident. Under the BOWP Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exemption, IRCC does not grant foreign nationals an open work permit if employment restrictions are in place.

An Acknowledgment of Receipt letter is sent to the applicant for a federal economic immigration program that is handled through the Express Entry immigration selection system after they submit an electronic application for permanent residency. This letter is generated automatically in the My CIC account when the electronic application for permanent residence has been submitted (e-APR). Instead of waiting for a second Acknowledgment of Receipt letter from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, applicants who qualify for a BOWP may apply right away after receiving this letter of acknowledgment (IRCC).

But, the BOWP application won’t be processed until the Consolidated Intake Office has completed its completeness review. Applications for the BOWP that are submitted before the completion checks have been completed will be held until they are prepared for processing. The applicant is no longer qualified for a BOWP if an e-APR is discovered to be insufficient. The application for a BOWP will be rejected in certain circumstances.