Charitable or Religious Work in Canada
Charitable or Religious Work in Canada
Canada has a sophisticated economy with several options for both blue-collar professionals and office employees. Through the several federal and provincial immigration programs available, foreign employees can earn not only excellent experience working with North American professionals and a secure salary, but also, subject to specific requirements, a permanent residence visa in Canada. The procedure begins when an employer wishing to recruit a temporary foreign worker submits an application to Employment and Social Development Canada for a favorable Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This document allows the employer to give priority to hiring a foreign worker, rather than a resident or citizen of Canada. A foreign worker can apply for a work visa after getting a positive decision based on the results of reviewing an application for the LMIA, as well as having a job offer in hand. However, some fields of work are considered LMIA exempt and people who are working in charitable or religious organizations apply to this category. The Canadian government facilitated the process for people who come to work in the country because these kinds of organizations may positively influence the social welfare of the residents and citizens. The article will discuss what is considered charitable and religious work in Canada, as well as provide instructions on how to apply for a work permit.
What is charitable or religious work in Canada?
There are over 85,600 registered charities in Canada. The Canadian philanthropic sector employs over 2 million people and accounts for about 7% of Canada's GDP. Registered charities are considered under the Income Tax Act as “charitable organization”, “public foundation” or “private foundation”. Canada interprets the common law definition of “charity” as goals that fall under the four “chapters” of philanthropy: alleviating poverty, developing education, promoting religion, or other goals that benefit the community in a way that the court has found to be charitable. From a legal standpoint, the organization's purposes must be solely altruistic. As a result, all charity aims, not simply the majority, should be philanthropic. In addition, the organization must be incorporated and reside in Canada. What is more, there is a public benefit test: a charity must be of benefit to the public or a sufficient segment of it to be a registered charity in Canada. Besides, environmental organizations also apply to the category of charity. Thus, between 1990 and 2019, Canada's share of protected areas doubled from 6% to over 12% due to these organizations. The candidate who has chosen charitable work in Canada must understand and be able to prove that their potential employer meets the local definition of charity.
Charitable work and work permit in Canada
If you want to take part in charitable work in Canada, you may apply for an employer-specific work permit. This type of permit provides detailed information about the employer and the job offer. Also, it states the length and expiry date of the contract and the address where an individual is working. An employer-specific work permit provides an opportunity to stay in Canada but it is an obligation to work only for an organization that has hired a human being. The primary responsibilities of a person who is occupied with charitable work in Canada are concluded in the assistance in alleviating poverty, advancing education, or meeting other needs of a community. Besides, the main condition for this kind of work is that a human being must be paid, a person cannot come to Canada and work voluntarily. For example, an individual can work as a cook at shelters, a caregiver for disabled people, a teacher or instructor for people who cannot afford education. However, if the job is about managing a philanthropic organization then a person is not considered as a charity worker but he or she is a manager and requires an LMIA assessment to get a work permit.
To hire a foreign national for charitable work in Canada, an employer must provide a job offer and upload it to the Employer Portal by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), pay a fee and present an applicant an offer of employment number. Except for an employer, a potential worker must also pay the charge for application processing. However, an applicant may also omit to pay a fee if the payment mentioned in a contract is small and is able to cover only minimal living expenses or if an applicant gets non-monetary benefits such as a place to live that has no market value, for example. If a foreigner is not entitled to pay any charges, then an employer does not need to pay it as well but the hiring party still has to provide an offer of employment and show the inability of an employee to pay the fee.
Religious work in Canada
In the same way as charitable work, it is also possible to obtain religious work in Canada. Canadian work permit gives the right to citizens who intend to work in religious organizations, preach their doctrine, conduct liturgies or services, and carry out their activities on the territory of the state on a legal basis. This immigrant type of document can also be obtained for those who want to provide spiritual assistance as an ordained person, an ordinary church member, or a member of a religious order. Religious professions are listed by the Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC) under code 4154 and are eligible to relocate to Canada. Although many professional clerical jobs have migrated to Canada over the past few years, professional religious pursuits are still in high demand in Canada at both the national and provincial levels. According to the NOC Classification Table, the religious occupation code states that “Religious Professionals conduct religious services,” conduct ceremonies of religious belief or belief, provide spiritual and moral guidance, and perform other functions related to the practice of religion. They perform these duties in churches, synagogues, temples, or other places of worship. They can also work in other institutions such as school hospitals and correctional facilities. Examples of religious occupations in Canada are monks, spiritual teachers at clerical-based institutions, people who take part in liturgical service. Thus, in order to comply with the code of professional occupation in religion, you may work or work in any of these job titles or job descriptions. Professionally practising religion usually requires graduation from college, university, or other religious studies program. Some of the activities in this singular group may require a Master of Theology as well as a period of study with a senior minister but it depends on the position and its description in the NOC Table. Please note that managerial positions are not considered religious work in Canada.
Foreign people who can be categorized as "clergy" do not need work permits in order to practice their religion in Canada. This exception is narrowly defined, and it only applies to foreign individuals who are coming to engage temporarily in conventional religious activities such as doctrinal preaching or presiding over public worship.
Religious or Charitable work and work permit in Canada
In the same way as charitable work in Canada, religious work in Canada also requires employer-specific work permits. The work application process mostly depends on the employer as a hiring party must register an applicant with the Employer Portal and both parties must pay fees. However, an applicant can avoid paying a fee if his or her financial status and employment conditions are not profitable enough. If a candidate is not paying charges, the inviting party does not pay the employer compliance fee as well. However, the hiring side must prove that a candidate is unable to make a payment by mentioning it in the application.
Eligibility criteria for charitable and religious work in Canada
For working as a religious worker or a charitable worker in Canada, an applicant must meet the general requirements to be eligible for staying in the country. An individual must prove to the officer that he or she will leave Canada after the expiration of the work permit. Also, it is mandatory to show that foreign nationals have enough money to take care of themselves and their family members during their stay in Canada and return home. Besides, complying with the law, not having criminal records and, if necessary, providing a police clearance certificate is important. It is quite probable that a newcomer needs to be ready to undergo a medical examination, if necessary. Extra documents may be requested by the border officer such as a job contract, certificate of education, address, etc.
Also, an employer must explain why this candidate is necessary for the position and his or her religious or charitable work would bring value to the organization and the society. A candidate is able to apply for a work permit for religious jobs and charitable jobs online both inside and outside Canada. The instructions and the checklist are available on the official website of the Canadian government. Please note that a work permit is not the same as a visa and a foreigner will also need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or visitor visa.
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