A BOWP allows those working in Canada to keep working while they await the results of their permanent residence application.
If you applied to one of the permanent residence programs below, you may be eligible for a BOWP:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Trades Worker Program (FTWP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Home Child Care Provider Pilot or Home Support Worker Pilot
You may continue working at your current job if you submitted an application for permanent residence and are awaiting the results of your application. This allows not only you, but your spouse/common-law partner and your dependents to continue with their work or studies while awaiting the decision of your application.
Eligibility for Express Entry Applicants
Once an Express Entry profile is created, it remains valid for up to one year. After the candidate receives an Invitation to Apply (ITA), the Canadian government can process their application within six months. The six-month period begins when they receive the complete application. However, if the candidate does not receive an ITA within the one-year period of creating their Express Entry profile, they can simply re-submit their profile if they are still eligible.
Eligibility Requirements:
If you applied to one of the three Express Entry programs, to be eligible for a BOWP, you must:
- Live in Canada (Quebec excluded)
- Have a valid work permit that is about to expire in 4 months or less
- Be the principal applicant on your PR application
- Have already submitted a complete application for permanent residence and passed the completeness check that is performed at the Centralized Intake Office (CIO)
- Have your acknowledgement of receipt letter that is sent to your MyCIC account after you have submitted your electronic permanent residence application
Supporting Documents
Be sure to include the following documents when you submit your BOWP application:
- Supporting documents listed in the document checklist
- Copy of your acknowledgement of receipt letter
Eligibility for PNP Applicants
The same eligibility requirements apply as for PNP applicants as for Express Entry with one additional requirement:
- Must have no employment restrictions as a condition of your nomination
Supporting Documents
Be sure to include the following documents when you submit your BOWP application:
- Supporting documents listed in the document checklist
- Copy of your acknowledgement of receipt letter
- Copy of your nomination letter
Eligibility for Home Child Care Provider Pilot or Home Support Worker Pilot Applicants
To be eligible, you must:
- Live in Canada (Quebec excluded)
- Be approved in principle for permeant residence (you have received a letter from IRCC stating you have met the eligibility requirements for PR, you still have to pass the medical, security, and background checks for you and your family members, if applicable)
- Have 24 months of qualifying work experience
- Meet 1 of the following criteria: have a valid work permit, be on implied status, or be eligible for restoration
Supporting Documents
Be sure to include the following documents when you submit your BOWP application:
- Supporting documents listed in the document checklist
- Copy of the letter sent to you after your PR application is approved in principal