Bridging Open Work Permits in 2022
Who is it for?
The Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) is aimed at temporary residents (residing in Canada) who are waiting on a decision on their permanent residence application under one of the eligible economic immigration programs. BOWP is practical for temporary residents onwork permits that cannot be renewed or extended, such as the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
How does it benefit you?
A BOWP’s primary benefit for the applicant is that it prevents the temporary resident (and spouse and children) from having to leave Canada or lose their existing eligibility to work while waiting for their permanent residence. Moreover, the BOWP allows the temporary residents to have more flexibility in their employment preference. An example of this is that the BOWP may prevent an applicant from acting out of panic by finding a new employer who will support a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) if their existing employer is unwilling. Therefore, the BOWP is a viable option for permanent resident candidates who are already contributing to Canada’s economic engine!
For more information to see if you meet the eligibility requirements for a BOWP, please visit: https://www.iclimmigration.com/bowp
What’s the catch in 2022?
From what we know now, IRCC will likely not hold a draw for CEC, FSWP, nor FSTP candidates “for at least the first half of 2022” as stated in a recent internal memo. We can expect Express Entry draws to continue for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. Therefore, it is also important to note the specific criteria for BOWPs under a PNP. That is, the employment location on the work permit must be restricted to the nominating province. Of course, this is not the worst of restrictions since the BOWP seeker will be looking to set roots and start to establish themselves in their nominated province.
As for the other candidates, such as PGWP holders in the Express Entry pool under streams like the CEC, it is important to be actively engaged and be on the lookout for new pathways of permanent residency for recent graduates (from Canadian institutions) with Canadian work experience as this may be in play for 2022. Alternatively, we may see extensions on existing PGWPs as this was the case last year.
In closing, we have entered a new year - 2022 holds new and exciting opportunities for Canadian immigration. If you have any questions about the bridging open work permit or any other immigration matters, do not hesitate to contact us.
Authored by:
Ege Kardelen
Canada: +1 905 769 0421
Turkey: +90 212 900 3568
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