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Applying BOWP with AOR and Approved LMIA

ozmatwork

Star Member
Mar 4, 2014
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Currently I am working on a work permit that is valid till 2016, ( I just applied it last september because my LMIA got approved). I have received my AOR last april, my quesion is can I still apply for open work permit?

The reason why I want to apply for open work permit is because I want to work to another company that is hiring me.
 

Gurindar

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Jul 24, 2012
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Re: Seniors, question please!

No I guess , I believe what you have currently is a closed WP - Correct me if I am wrong and for applying BOWP your current WP should at least be valid for 4 months .

BOWP allows you to extend your stay while your application is getting processed so that you don't have to turn back to your country whereas I believe your intention is to change the company as BOWP is open work permit.
 

arowberry

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Nov 25, 2012
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Re: Seniors, question please!

Gurindar said:
No I guess , I believe what you have currently is a closed WP - Correct me if I am wrong and for applying BOWP your current WP should at least be valid for 4 months .

BOWP allows you to extend your stay while your application is getting processed so that you don't have to turn back to your country whereas I believe your intention is to change the company as BOWP is open work permit.
To apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit, you must have received your AOR and have less than four months remaining on your current work permit; so unfortunately you will not be able to apply for the BOWP.

I know that was just a typo on your part Gurindar ;-)

ozmatwork: Please try to give your posts a useful title, people are going to respond irrelevant of whether you plea for 'seniors' (in this a basic and commonly answered question). Good information allows other users to find answers to their questions a lot faster :)
 

Gurindar

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Re: Seniors, question please!

arowberry said:
To apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit, you must have received your AOR and have less than four months remaining on your current work permit; so unfortunately you will not be able to apply for the BOWP.

I know that was just a typo on your part Gurindar ;-)
"WP should at least be valid for 4 months" and "less than four months remaining" aren't both same thing ?
 

retwant

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Re: Seniors, question please!

ozmatwork said:
Currently I am working on a work permit that is valid till 2016, ( I just applied it last september because my LMIA got approved). I have received my AOR last april, my quesion is can I still apply for open work permit?

The reason why I want to apply for open work permit is because I want to work to another company that is hiring me.
How long did it take for your company to get your LMIA? In this new company, are you being hired in similar position?

Those applying in Feb 2014 have started to get their PPR. Assuming you are a March 2014 candidate, maybe you will receive yours in 1 to 3 months from now. If it takes more than 3 months typical to get a new LMIA, might as well just wait until you got your PR...
 

arowberry

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Nov 25, 2012
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Re: Seniors, question please!

"at least 4 months" implies the work permit should have 4+ months remaining on it.

You could use 'at most', e.g. 'WP should at most be valid for 4 months', but is quite unpleasant to read. Clearer to say 'WP must be within 4 months of the expiry date' or 'WP must be valid for less than 4 months'.

Your posts are always excellent, I'm not trying to nit-pick, I promise :)
 

Gurindar

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Re: Seniors, question please!

arowberry said:
"at least 4 months" implies the work permit should have 4+ months remaining on it.

You could use 'at most', e.g. 'WP should at most be valid for 4 months', but is quite unpleasant to read. Clearer to say 'WP must be within 4 months of the expiry date' or 'WP must be valid for less than 4 months'.

Your posts are always excellent, I'm not trying to nit-pick, I promise :)
Man Well you being appreciative enough I don't want to say anything or want to justify further .

I think I conveyed what i wanted to say .

Thanks again.
 

jes_ON

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Re: Seniors, question please!

ozmatwork said:
Currently I am working on a work permit that is valid till 2016, ( I just applied it last september because my LMIA got approved). I have received my AOR last april, my quesion is can I still apply for open work permit?

The reason why I want to apply for open work permit is because I want to work to another company that is hiring me.
Unfortunately, you are not eligible for the BOWP, so if you want to work for another company, they will have to first obtain the LMIA and you a new work permit...

As far as waiting until your CIC application is approved, that is certainly a possibility, but the experience of others is not that reliable as a measure for how soon your application will be finalized. You could order your GCMS notes and check on progress that way...
 

ozmatwork

Star Member
Mar 4, 2014
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Thanks to all , I guess I'm stuck at my employer. I should have applied BOWP last September because my old work permit expires on Nov 21 2014.