Tips for a successful BOWP application

[ckexploration]

Hi guys,
first of all thanks for this thread, very helpful!
But I still have a question: I applied for PR under CEC, got my AOR and want to apply for the OWP online today. Documents needed are: IMM5710, passport copy, digital photo and I will attach a letter of explanation. For the letter of explanation I found this one in this thread:


Scenario 1

Covering letter for BOWP –With AOR and applicant eligible for BOWP application
NAME XXX
Address
Phone: +1-(XXX)-XXX-XXXX
Email : XXXXX @ gmail.com

Date: DD-MON-YYY

TO
Consular Officer
Consulate General of Canada
Immigration Section


RE: BOWP Application

Dear Consular Officer,
I, NameXXX, have been working in Canada since DD-MM-YYY for XYZ Inc on Work Permit. I have submitted Application for Permanent Residence in Canada (CEC) and received an AOR (Acknowledgement of Receipt). I am applying for a bridging open work permit as per OB485.
---Mentioned Spouse details if you are applying for Spouse BOWP
OB485 (Operational Bulletin 485 - December 15, 2012)-http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/bulletins/2012/ob485.asp
Please find the below details of my CEC application.
UCI: XXXX/Application Number : XXXXX
Enclosed are following documents to validate.
1. The Acknowledgement of Receipt letter/e-mail has been sent from CIO.
2. My latest work Permit with which I am working in Ontario, Canada.
I request you to kindly consider this, as part of the documents required for processing my BOWP application.
Yours Sincerely,
XXX XXX
(Applicant)

I will change it a bit as I am not employed right now. And if I remember it right I was reading sth that the OB485 is not in use anymore? Correct? Should I delete that, too? Do I have to upload the AOR? Isn't it enough if I just tell them the AOR number? If they refer to my PR application then, do I have to upload the work permit again? And if I upload it all should I just put it together as one pdf and upload all together with the letter of explanation?
Off to get pictures taken now and hopefully someone can help me out with this one so I can apply later today. Thanks a lot everybody!!!

 

[LPS]

TO
Consular Officer
Consulate General of Canada
Immigration Section

Addressing it to "Consular Officer" is not technically correct, as you are applying to CPC Vegreville, not a consulate. Any generic greeting such as "Dear Sir/Madam" is fine.

2. My latest work Permit with which I am working in Ontario, Canada.

...

I will change it a bit as I am not employed right now.

This part isn't needed. It doesn't matter whether you are currently "working". Also, the Document Checklist already requires a copy of your current work permit (your "current immigration document"), so you should not need to refer to it again in your BOWP explanation letter.

And if I remember it right I was reading sth that the OB485 is not in use anymore? Correct?

OB485 (December 15, 2012) has been superseded by OB485A (September 19, 2013), so refer to OB485A in the letter. It is basically the same document, but they have clarified some of the eligibility criteria.

Do I have to upload the AOR? Isn't it enough if I just tell them the AOR number?

Many people recommend that you do attach your AOR, to be safe. The OB clearly says that the officer will check their own system (GCMS) for a positive decision on your PR application, and they only need your client ID to do this; however, some people who have been refused a BOWP believe that their only error was not attaching an AOR. I doubt this, as do others, as I hadn't even received my AOR yet when I applied. But anyway, do attach your AOR if you have one.

 

[LPS]

This part isn't needed. It doesn't matter whether you are currently "working". Also, the Document Checklist already requires a copy of your current work permit (your "current immigration document"), so you should not need to refer to it again in your BOWP explanation letter.

I should add to this - I applied by post; I'm assuming that the online application form either uses the document checklist (IMM5556) directly, or has some other thing where it tells you to upload your current immigration document.

 

[ckexploration]

Thanks a lot LPS,
I will apply online and all they want is IMM5710, Passport, digital photo and an optional letter of explanation.
For the letter of explanation upload I will create a pdf including the letter of explanation, the AOR, work permit, additional info that didn't fit on the IMM5710 (last 10 years of employment)... and that should be it.
Thanks a lot and fingers crossed!!!

 

[LPS]

Fair enough. It's strange to me that the work permit isn't in the list. I do remember that there are certain differences between the online process and the postal one. For instance: the online application requires a photo, and the postal one doesn't.

 

[neochan]

This part isn't needed. It doesn't matter whether you are currently "working". Also, the Document Checklist already requires a copy of your current work permit (your "current immigration document"), so you should not need to refer to it again in your BOWP explanation letter.

I have a question regarding the status of "not currently working." If like for example the principal applicant is not working in any position, can the spouse apply for an open work permit?

 

[horvathc]

Thanks a lot LPS, these tips help me a lot to make my application better! 8)
I'm planning to submit it within few days...

 

[Ninfo]

Hi All,

First of all this is amazing thread and thanks to all who shared information. My situation is little different and I am worried.


The day I will complete my 12 months and be eligible for CEC, my PGWP expires 2 days after that. SO my question is that, Could i still apply for work permit and will there be hope to get it ?

 

[jimkal]

I am listing the all BOWP Sample covering letters for benefit of forum members


Hi canadacec2012,
Do you mean, in scenario 1, "applicant eligible" means that one has a valid visa and still has 4 months for expiry?

jimkal




Scenario 1

Covering letter for BOWP –With AOR and applicant eligible for BOWP application
NAME XXX
Address
Phone: +1-(XXX)-XXX-XXXX
Email : XXXXX @ gmail.com

Date: DD-MON-YYY

TO
Consular Officer
Consulate General of Canada
Immigration Section

 

[sirisak]

Hi All,

I am applying for BOWP and currently on Closed Work Permit with an employer in Canada.

I have a quick question in filling the IMM5710E form.

In Question 3 -
"I am applying for one or more of the following"
Check box Options -
"A work permit with the same employer"
"An initial work permit or a work permit with a new employer"

Form does not let me select both the options. Can you please advise which one do I need to check here?

Thanks beforehand
Sak

 

[RikPat]

Hi. I applied for BOWP without AOR on 30th Jan, 2014. But I got OWP through common-law on 31st Jan, 2014. Now I would like to apply for withdrawal. Can you please guide me with it? Is their any email address where I can send my withdrawal request online? And In my PR application, I gave my old UCI number. Do I need to update it?

 

[LPS]

I am applying for BOWP and currently on Closed Work Permit with an employer in Canada.

I have a quick question in filling the IMM5710E form.

In Question 3 -
"I am applying for one or more of the following"
Check box Options -
"A work permit with the same employer"
"An initial work permit or a work permit with a new employer"

Form does not let me select both the options. Can you please advise which one do I need to check here?

Select "new employer".

This question tends to confuse applicants for open work permits, as the employer details are not applicable. But basically what the question is asking is, 'is this an application for an extension with your current job/employer' (it isn't).

 

[AWD]

Hi All,

I am on a close work permit and my current employer is not extending it.
I don't have any offer in hand but I want to apply for OBWP and extend my stay in Canada, which option should I choose from below:
-------------------------------------------
I'm applying for one or more of the following:
---------------------------------------------
A work permit with same employer
A work permit with new employer
Restauration of temporary resident status as a worker
Initial temporary resident permit or extension of temporary resident permit

Under the Section, "Details of Intended work in Canada"

I have filled as below. Can someone confirm if this is correct.

Q1- Open Work Permit
Q2 -BOWP application - Not Applicable
Q3 to Q7 - Blank

Request your help.
Many Thanks

 

[Natalka86]

This question has been answered many times in this thread. Don't be lazy and use search before asking again.

 

[user2000]

Hi guys,

I wanna share my experience with you re the BOWP

I applied last month while my Visa will expire in June which mean 5 months with explanation letter
I got refused due to
1- my visa valid for more than 4 months
2- they claim that I didn't provided evidence that you have received a positive eligibility decision on your PR
application.

In my explanation letter, i mentioned my file/application no plus UCI

My guess is that I should print/scan and then upload the confirmation email that indicate that contains a positive final determination of eligibility


let me know what do you think about that..

Thanks
Sam