9 April 2022
One of the most common problems that immigrants face is when they already have submitted their PR application and are in Canada on a work permit. In such situations, it is often helpful to have a professional immigration expert who can guide and advise you on your various available options, such as the Bridging Open Work Permit.
What is the Bridging Open Work Permit?
Just like the name suggests, bridging open work permits helps you in bridging the gap between the pending decision regarding your PR application and the expiration of your current work permit.
When Can You Apply for the Bridging Open Work Permit?
Unlike the open work permit or standard work permit, not everyone is eligible to apply for the bridging open work permit. Once you meet these conditions, you will be eligible to apply for a bridging open work permit that would stay valid until the final decision about your PR application has been made. You need to first fulfill a few conditions to get qualified to apply for a bridging open work permit.
- If you already have applied for any PR program available in Canada, such as in Quebec, PNP stream, or PR via Express Entry.
- If you are present in Canada when you are applying for the bridging open work permit and hold a proper work permit at hand.
- If the validity of your work permit or the time for expiration is within four months.
What happens to a bridging open work permit if you get a PR in Canada?
If you get a PR in Canada, your Certificate of Permanent Residence would turn into proof of your legal standing in Canada. You do not need to apply for any other documents such as work permits to settle, live, and work in Canada. Once you get your PR, you will not need your bridging open work permit anymore, and it will expire when a PR decision has been made.
What happens to a bridging open work permit if you do not get a PR in Canada?
If your application for PR in Canada gets rejected, the validity of your bridging open work permit would end too. This means that you would not have any further legal status in Canada. In such cases, you need to apply for a Temporary Resident Permit, a Study Permit, or a Work Permit. Once you get one of the permits approved, you will be in Canada legally. However, if you do not have legal status in Canada, you would have to exit the country.
Things to keep in mind regarding the bridging open work permit
Here are some helpful things to keep in mind when you are thinking about getting a BOWP:
- You cannot apply for a bridging open work permit if you only get an ITA. You need to submit your final application for PR with the proper documentation, and the status of your application needs to be pending.
- You cannot become eligible for a bridging open work permit if your PR application is incomplete.
- If you happen to be a PNP applicant, your nomination needs to be subject to provincial employment restrictions.
- You can apply for a bridging open work permit if you are an applicant to PR programs in Quebec too.
Conclusion
If you want to immigrate to Canada, the good news is that it generally seems like a straightforward thing if your focus is just on the best-case route. However, you need to be prepared for all possible cases with proper planning and preparation for all possible issues and contingencies.
