Let’s be honest - waiting for your permanent residency (PR) application to be processed can feel like being stuck in limbo. You’re working, contributing to the Canadian economy, and building a life here, but there’s that little voice in your head going ‘What if my current work permit expires before my PR comes through?’ That’s where the Bridging Open Work Permit, or BOWP, steps in to save the day.
So, What is a Bridging Open Work Permit?
Think of a BOWP as your work-life bridge- literally. It lets you keep working in Canada while you wait for a decision on your PR application. It’s designed specifically for folks who are already here on a valid work permit and have taken the exciting leap of applying for PR under certain economic immigration programs.
As of 2025, you can apply for a BOWP if you’ve submitted a PR application under one of these:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Canadian Experience Class
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) (with some conditions)
- Agri-Food Pilot
- Home Child-Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilots (with the right stage completed)
Am I eligible for BOWP?
Let’s break it down. To qualify for a BOWP in 2025, you must:
Already in Canada.
Have a valid work permit (or be within your 90-day restoration period).
Have submitted your PR application and received an acknowledgment of receipt (AOR).
