Am I Eligible for Bridging Open Work Permit?

[Compel8127]

Hi,

I came to Canada on a closed work permit for a year. After one year and during the process of issuing me another closed work permit, my employer laid me off. I now have a closed work permit until mid-2025 with an expired TRV. I did not apply for a new TRV as they ask to upload an employment letter which will clearly say that I am no longer employed and hence there is no reason to stay in Canada.

A couple days ago, I applied for PR under the CEC stream from inside Canada. I have received the AOR. Can I apply for BOWP? At the moment, I don't have any job offer, neither do I have a current employer, but I am still in Canada.

I was thinking to apply for BOWP and select Open Work Permit while filling out the IMM5710e form. Of course, I will have to leave the employer details. My concerns are, would they also cancel my existing closed work permit and would ask me to leave Canada? And if I apply, how soon can I start working? As the current processing time for BOWP is 141 days. Would I be able to work for any employer after submitting the application or wait for it to get approved first? What if my PR application gets rejected and I am working for any employer based on a submitted BOWP application?

Thanks in advance for your advices.

 

[scylla]

Hi,

I came to Canada on a closed work permit for a year. After one year and during the process of issuing me another closed work permit, my employer laid me off. I now have a closed work permit until mid-2025 with an expired TRV. I did not apply for a new TRV as they ask to upload an employment letter which will clearly say that I am no longer employed and hence there is no reason to stay in Canada.

A couple days ago, I applied for PR under the CEC stream from inside Canada. I have received the AOR. Can I apply for BOWP? At the moment, I don't have any job offer, neither do I have a current employer, but I am still in Canada.

I was thinking to apply for BOWP and select Open Work Permit while filling out the IMM5710e form. Of course, I will have to leave the employer details. My concerns are, would they also cancel my existing closed work permit and would ask me to leave Canada? And if I apply, how soon can I start working? As the current processing time for BOWP is 141 days. Would I be able to work for any employer after submitting the application or wait for it to get approved first? What if my PR application gets rejected and I am working for any employer based on a submitted BOWP application?

Thanks in advance for your advices.

Yes, you can apply for a BOWP if you have submitted your CEC application and received AOR.

To the best of my knowledge, you cannot switch employers until the BOWP is approved. But wait for others to answer.

 

[scylla]

Hi,

I came to Canada on a closed work permit for a year. After one year and during the process of issuing me another closed work permit, my employer laid me off. I now have a closed work permit until mid-2025 with an expired TRV. I did not apply for a new TRV as they ask to upload an employment letter which will clearly say that I am no longer employed and hence there is no reason to stay in Canada.

A couple days ago, I applied for PR under the CEC stream from inside Canada. I have received the AOR. Can I apply for BOWP? At the moment, I don't have any job offer, neither do I have a current employer, but I am still in Canada.

I was thinking to apply for BOWP and select Open Work Permit while filling out the IMM5710e form. Of course, I will have to leave the employer details. My concerns are, would they also cancel my existing closed work permit and would ask me to leave Canada? And if I apply, how soon can I start working? As the current processing time for BOWP is 141 days. Would I be able to work for any employer after submitting the application or wait for it to get approved first? What if my PR application gets rejected and I am working for any employer based on a submitted BOWP application?

Thanks in advance for your advices.

Just to answer your other question, no, they won't cancel your closed work permit.

 

[Compel8127]

Thanks @scylla! Do you think they will issue me an open work permit even if I leave the employer details empty? They are not required fields if I select the "Open Work Permit" option, but asking if you have any thoughts on it.

Additionally, I just called IRCC, and they said yes, I should apply for BOWP and add a Letter of Explanation regarding my job situation. I also had a question on "whether I am in status in Canada without a TRV", to which they answered, yes, I am in status as I have a valid work permit. Renewal of the temporary resident visa (TRV) is only to be able to come back to Canada if you leave.

 

[canuck78]

Hi,

I came to Canada on a closed work permit for a year. After one year and during the process of issuing me another closed work permit, my employer laid me off. I now have a closed work permit until mid-2025 with an expired TRV. I did not apply for a new TRV as they ask to upload an employment letter which will clearly say that I am no longer employed and hence there is no reason to stay in Canada.

A couple days ago, I applied for PR under the CEC stream from inside Canada. I have received the AOR. Can I apply for BOWP? At the moment, I don't have any job offer, neither do I have a current employer, but I am still in Canada.

I was thinking to apply for BOWP and select Open Work Permit while filling out the IMM5710e form. Of course, I will have to leave the employer details. My concerns are, would they also cancel my existing closed work permit and would ask me to leave Canada? And if I apply, how soon can I start working? As the current processing time for BOWP is 141 days. Would I be able to work for any employer after submitting the application or wait for it to get approved first? What if my PR application gets rejected and I am working for any employer based on a submitted BOWP application?

Thanks in advance for your advices.

When were you laid off before receiving your new WP or after? It appears that you may have been laid off before getting your WP? If that is the case did you inform IRCC that the job offer was no longer valid? Did your employer? How long between when you got laid off and when you were granted the new WP? Any changes in circumstances must be reported to IRCC during the application process. If didn’t inform IRCC of your change in circumstances before being issued the closed WP that could cause issues with your BOWP.