Who is eligible for a BOWP?
The point of the BOWP is to allow people who are already in Canada to continue working at their jobs while their permanent residency application is in processing. They do not need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which is oftentimes required of work permit holders because by virtue of working in Canada they are already providing an economic benefit.
As such, you cannot apply at a port of entry. You have to be applying from within Canada since, in the government’s eyes, your presence here is allowing you to be exempt from an LMIA.
If you applied for permanent residency under one of the following programs, you may be eligible for a BOWP:
• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• caring for children class or caring for people with high medical needs class before June 18, 2019
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) for applicants for who do not have employer restrictions on nominations
• AgriFood Pilot (AFP)
• Quebec skilled worker class (QSWC)