leighmcgough

Hi

Firstly, a big thank you to all the regular contrivutors on this forum. We've read and found out lots of info already from you so thanks.

So we're heading to the lower mainland of BC this summer planning on a entering as a Religious Worker as we will be working for a Youth and children ministry.

Does anyone have any specific experience of this process / work permit so connect with.

We're reading through lots of the general info and posts and there have been really helpful.

The charity is employing an immigration lawyer in BC which is great but I also want to see if I can get people's first hand experience of the process.

We're likely to apply to the POE when we arrive due to timescales.

Thanks in advance

The McGough Family.

Engineer_abroad

International Mobility Program: Canadian interests – Charitable or religious work [R205(d)] (exemption code C50)

provides a base point for research

leighmcgough

Thanks for the link.

We've read through this already

Hoping for someone who has gone through the process to learn/ share their experience.

christmasoompa

It's such a rarely used visa route that I doubt you'll find anybody on the forum that's been through it tbh, I certainly don't recall anybody in the last few years.

To give you an idea of how little it's used, the last stats published by CIC show that a grand total of 5013 work permits were issued under that route in a year, versus 1,159,871 other work permits. So the only thing I would say is that the organisation will need to make sure the lawyer puts together a really good application for you, but hopefully they've done it before and had a few of those 5013 permits!

Good luck with it.

leighmcgough

Thanks for the comments and the stats.

Snowy560

Some religious workers may be eligible for either a Visitor Record which will allow them to work without a WP or a WP ( I.e. it's possible they may be eligible for either). Your lawyer will know this and be able to prepare the documents for you to apply on entry.

PMM

Hi



1. To be eligible for a visitor record (no work permit) for a religious worker, it must fall into the following of section of the Regulations

Work Without a Permit
No permit required
186 A foreign national may work in Canada without a work permit

(l) as a person who is responsible for assisting a congregation
or group in the achievement of its spiritual
goals and whose main duties are to preach doctrine,
perform functions related to gatherings of the congregation
or group or provide spiritual counselling;

Note that the spouse is NOT eligible for a spousal work permit.

Snowy560

PMM: Please see this:

Spouses or common-law partners of skilled people coming to Canada as foreign workers may themselves be authorized to work without first having an offer of employment. A dependent spouse is eligible to apply for an open work permit if the principal foreign worker

holds a work permit that is valid for a period of at least six months, or, if working under the authority of section R186 without a work permit, presents evidence that they will be working for a minimum of six months;

is employed in an occupation that falls within National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill levels 0, A or B (which generally include management and professional occupations and technical or skilled trades [see the NOC website]);

physically resides or plans to physically reside in Canada while working.

International Mobility Program: Public policy, competitiveness and economy

PMM

Hi



1. Except that if the OP are admitted under 186(1) of the regulations for Religious workers, they are issued A VISITOR RECORD, not an work permit. Spouse of persons on visitor records are NOT eligible for work permits.

Stinkypup

You think?
I know of at least one likely contributor to the forum who may well have used that route...

Snowy560

PMM: I agree with you on the point that under R186(l) the person will get a Visitor Record but as to the other point (SOWP), we will have to agree to disagree.

Tootlepootle

You say you will be working for charity, rather than a congregation/religious gathering. For clergy or lay leaders it is relatively straightforward if your supporting documents are in place to work directly with a congregation. However for a youth/community worker it might not be quite as easy. I'm glad you have the support of a lawyer.

And Snoop, we didn't!

christmasoompa

Is it Batman? Or Superman maybe, is that why you're keeping his identity hidden? I certainly can't think of anyone, but if you can then it would be very helpful to the OP to look at their previous posts on the subject.

leighmcgough

Thanks Everyone, Really helpful posts and info.

It's not directly for a church/congregation but for a youth and children charity/ministry that works with churches to run youth and children groups so sits in-between the worlds in that sense.

Stinkypup

They are indeed a caped crusader with a dog collar which differentiates them from Supergirl