From ITA to rejection

In Canada, the Bridge Open Work Permit (BOWP) is a very important transition document with very specific eligibility criteria. If the candidate is not aware of them and applies for it without being eligible, his/her application will be rejected.

In this blog, I will explain what specific mistakes many applicants make when applying for BOWP, what the function of this permit is, the eligibility factors and the causes of rejection.

Read with me to the end and take note of the recommendations for a successful application. Let's get started!

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What is the Open Bridge (or Transitional) Work Permit?

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‍This permit is a gateway to continued employment in Canada, as it acts as a link or transition to permanent residence by authorizing the candidate's stay in the country while working for any employer and awaiting processing of their change of status.

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Why is a candidate not eligible for the BOWP?

If the application for permanent residence is through a provincial nomination and it is linked to the support of an employer, the applicant is not eligible for the BOWP. The work permit linked to an employer is of a closed type, meaning that you can only work for that employer and in the province where it operates. 

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A closed work permit is a document that authorizes a foreign national to work in Canada under very specific conditions. Unlike an open work permit, this document strictly restricts your employment, and is conditioned by three key elements which are:

1. Employer specific: You may only work for the employer whose name is on your permit.
2. Specific position: You can only perform the position or profession specified in the document.
3. Location specific: In many cases, you are also limited to working at a specific address or location.

The provincial nomination itself serves as an exception to the LMIA (Labor Market Impact Assessment) requirement, a document required by the employer in order to hire a foreign worker. 

If the provincial nomination is not linked to the support of an employer, then the Open Bridge Work Permit can be applied for .

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Consequences of ineligible BOWP applications

The mistake of applying without being eligible can severely compromise your process. Rejection of a BOWP could lead to a loss of status, which would be preventing you from working and would risk wasting what you have achieved in your permanent residency process, from receipt of ITA, acknowledgement, validity of language certifications, etc. These documents may expire while waiting for a possible restoration of status.

You can find more information in this article of our blog: Transitional open work permit: a bridge to permanent residence in Canada.

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Recommendations to avoid mistakes in your permanent residency process

To avoid rejections on your BOWP application, we recommend the following:

• Before applying for any work permit, thoroughly review your provincial nomination documents. The text of the nomination and supporting letters from your employer contain the conditions governing your process.
• Understand the difference between an open and closed permit. Remember that an open permit gives you flexibility, while a closed permit ties you strictly to an employer, position and province. 
• Anticipate deadlines and apply for the correct permit well in advance.
• Seek professional advice. A single eligibility error can jeopardize years of effort. 

If you have questions about your case and would like Immiland Canada to handle your application, contact our team of immigration experts.

I hope this information clarifies your doubts about the cause of your rejection and follow our recommendations for a successful application. See you in the next blog!

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With love, 

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Immiland Canada