How does the initial consultation work?

During the initial consultation, a senior immigration adviser reviews your academic background, skilled employment history, language test benchmarks (IELTS/PTE), and personal objectives. We evaluate active statutory programs (such as Express Entry, PNP, or General Skilled Migration), calculate your preliminary points score, and provide an objective assessment of your eligibility.

What information should I prepare before my consultation?

To ensure an accurate evaluation, we recommend having your updated CV or résumé, copies of degree certificates, transcripts, any completed language test scorecards, and details of your immediate family members who would be accompanying you on the application.

How are consultancy fees and government fees handled?

We maintain complete fee transparency. Our professional advisory fees are billed on fixed milestone stages outlined in a formal retainer agreement. Mandatory government charges (such as Visa Application Charges, biometrics, and credential evaluation fees like WES or ACS) are clearly distinguished and paid directly to official statutory bodies or held in designated client accounts.

How long might the application process take?

Processing timeframes depend on the destination country, the specific visa subclass, and prevailing statutory quotas. Points-tested skilled pathways generally range between 6 to 14 months, while employer-sponsored work permits or visit visas can be completed within several weeks to months. We provide realistic estimated timeframes based on current gazetted embassy queues.

Can you help me compare immigration pathways?

Yes. Many candidates qualify for more than one destination. We offer multi-country comparative audits, evaluating your profile simultaneously against Canadian, Australian, and European criteria to highlight which jurisdiction offers the highest probability and fastest timeline.

What happens if my circumstances change during an application?

Changes in marital status, birth of a child, new employment promotions, or updated language test scores must be formally reported to the relevant immigration authority. Your assigned Senior Case Manager will advise on necessary statutory updates, evidentiary amendments, and procedural compliance.

How can I verify your qualifications or registration?

We actively encourage clients to verify credentials. Our advisory work is delivered in partnership with licensed Canadian RCICs registered with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) and Australian Registered Migration Agents under MARA. You may request your adviser's license registration number and look it up directly on the regulator's public directory.

Does a consultation guarantee eligibility or approval?

No. In accordance with ethical legal standards and regulatory codes of conduct, no legitimate consultancy can guarantee a visa grant. Final visa approval rests entirely at the discretion of the destination government's immigration department. Our responsibility is to ensure your application is accurate, compliant, and prepared to the highest standard of legal scrutiny.

Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) Canada: What UAE Expats Must Know When Visas Expire

Securing Canadian Permanent Residency (PR) is a major milestone for expatriates and skilled professionals relocating from the UAE. However, the immigration journey often presents a critical timing challenge: *What happens if your current Canadian work permit expires while your PR application is still processing?*

For UAE professionals navigating their transition to Canada, the Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) is the ultimate safeguard. It ensures you maintain your legal right to work and live in Canada without disruption.

At Go Abroad Migration, the UAE’s premier immigration consultancy, we guide our clients through every phase of the Canadian immigration lifecycle, ensuring your legal status remains secure from day one to PR approval.

What is a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) in Canada?

Official Direct AnswerAnswer: A Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) is a specialized Canadian work permit that allows foreign nationals currently in Canada to legally continue working while they wait for a final decision on their pending Permanent Residency application.

Crucially, the BOWP is an "open" permit, meaning you are not tied to a specific employer and have the flexibility to change jobs anywhere in Canada while your PR is being processed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Who is Eligible for a BOWP?

To successfully apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit, applicants must meet strict criteria. You must:

Be currently physically present in Canada.
Hold a valid Canadian work permit that is set to expire within the next four months.
Have successfully submitted a complete Permanent Residency application.
Have received an official Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) from IRCC proving your PR file is actively processing.

The BOWP is an essential tool for applicants moving through popular pathways like the Federal Skilled Worker Program (Express Entry), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and various Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).

What Happens if You Do Not Apply?

If your current work permit expires and you have not applied for a BOWP, you will lose your legal working status in Canada.

Applying for a BOWP grants you "Maintained Status" (formerly known as implied status). This legal provision allows you to continue working under the exact same conditions as your expiring permit until IRCC officially approves your extension. Immediate implementation of this strategy is critical to avoid illegal overstays or loss of income.

The Top Benefits of the BOWP for Professionals

Continuous Legal Employment: Prevent any gaps in your employment history or income.
Ultimate Career Flexibility: As an open permit, you can freely switch employers or roles.
Peace of Mind: Wait for your PR assessment without the stress of impending visa expirations.
Seamless Transition: A structured, legal bridge from temporary resident to permanent resident.

Plan Your Complete Canada Immigration Journey

Immigrating to Canada from the UAE is not a single step; it is a multi-phased journey. From securing your initial Canada Work Visa to managing work permit extensions during the PR process, compliance with IRCC regulations requires meticulous planning.

Go Abroad Migration provides Dubai and UAE residents with comprehensive, strategic guidance for the entire Canadian immigration ecosystem. Protect your status and keep your future on track. Contact Go Abroad Migration today for expert assistance with your Express Entry profile and PR transition strategies.