The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) published a new program delivery update announcing new instructions for bridging open work permits (BOWP) for International Mobility Program (IMP) applicants on July 11, 2022.
According to the new instructions, applicants must be authorized to work at the time of submission only. To be eligible for a BOWP, at the time of submission, a foreign national must
have valid temporary resident status and work permit
have maintained status and authorization to work under paragraph 186(u) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), and
be eligible to restore their temporary resident status with authorization to work
Bridging Open Work Permits (BOWPs) are only available to foreign nationals in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) only if they provided with their application a copy of the nomination letter issued by the nominating province or territory that indicates their employment is unrestricted and selected “Open Work Permit” on their application form.
If a successful nominee is nominated through an employer-driven stream of the PNP, the nominating province or territory may impose employment restrictions until they become permanent residents.
However, under the BOWP LMIA exemption, IRCC does not issue an open work permit to a foreign national subject to employment restrictions.