CLERGY "WORK PERMIT" !?

[Keratzlaff]

Hello,
When applying at the port of entry as a clergy, what kind of documentation do you need?
Is it a visitor visa that you get issued?
can you leave the country once the "visa" is issued and re enter without a problem?
I am from New Zealand so I do not require a temporary resident visa.

Also for this "visa" does the church who gives the job offer letter need to supply any other information?

THANKS HEAPS!!!!!

 

[amikety]

From CIC:

"Clergy

People coming to Canada to work as ordained ministers, lay persons or members of a religious order do not need a work permit to perform their religious duties or assist a religious group. These religious duties may include preaching doctrine, presiding at liturgical functions or providing spiritual counselling."

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-who-nopermit.asp#clergy

This is for visitors and temporary residents, meaning you can stay 6 months on your passport. (You can apply to extend that, different topic )

When you go through the border, be prepared to show lots of proof you're a member of the clergy and that's your job or your purpose (if this is a mission type trip). If you tell a BSO you're going to work in Canada as a clergy member, they may not hear the 'clergy' part, just the 'work' part. You will not be eligible to get a 'regular' job.

 

[Keratzlaff]

Thanks for the reply,
from doing research from what I understood at the POE it is up to the officer to decide how long
the "visitor visa" is good for, this can be from 1 - 37 months as i read on a previous post in this forum.

How did you come up with the "6 month" visa ? is that on CIC or another website that you can post the link to?
thanks!

 

[amikety]

Six months is the "default" length of time. It's on here, you have to read a little to find it.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/arriving.asp

Unless you have proof you need to be in Canada longer, I wouldn't expect more than six months. Even if you have proof, they may only issue six months anyway and tell you to extend your stay as needed. I asked for a year extension myself and was given 6 months when I first applied. (As a visa exempt visitor, I'm not clergy ) Basically the length is up to the BSO.

Hope this helps

 

[Keratzlaff]

Ok thanks for the link, seems like just a basic visitor gets 6 months , the job offer letter from the church will say the job is for 2 years. so Im hoping the officer will extend the visitor visa to at least a year.

It's frustrating because there isn't very much information on the CIC website about applying as a clergy.
I am trying to figure what documents I need, I wish there was a checklist...
have you seen a checklist for it?

Thanks for your help!

 

[amikety]

Two ideas:

1) Call CIC and ask.

2) Do a quick google search and see if you find anything interesting. I'm on my iPhone or I would do it myself

Two years is a long time. You'll probably need to make the BSO feel you will leave Canada at the end of your stay. Bring proof you plan to return home after your work is done.

 

[Rajaryan]

You can take help from Canadian Immigration lawyers as well.
Do let me know if you need any.
They charge for their work but are damn good in making the application.

 

[Keratzlaff]

Yeah lawyers are too expensive for our budget
and when I call CIC the phone always hangs up , cause now when all the lines are busy there is option to wait!
What is a good time to call? the phone says thursdays and fridays but that never work for me

and what would be sufficient proof that I dont plan on staying,
I cant afford to have a return ticket to NZ , what are my other options?

Thanks!!

 

[Rajaryan]

The other options would be,
1) showing ur family members in ur home country
2) Property, fixed assets in ur name in ur home country
3) VO should be convince that in ur home country you have enough opportunity in ur profession to come back.
4) Bank accounts, statements, join accounts in ur home country.

If possible, you can write a cover letter addressing to the VO on why you think you will come back to ur home country after completion of ur WP with all the above proofs attached.

all the best.

 

[amikety]

Yeah lawyers are too expensive for our budget
and when I call CIC the phone always hangs up , cause now when all the lines are busy there is option to wait!
What is a good time to call? the phone says thursdays and fridays but that never work for me

and what would be sufficient proof that I dont plan on staying,
I cant afford to have a return ticket to NZ , what are my other options?

Thanks!!

I've had to call repeatedly until they finally answered. Sometimes it took a while. Just make sure you're calling during business hours in Canada.

Is your employer going to provide the return ticket? If so, have them prepare a letter for you stating this.

 

[Rajaryan]

good point amikety..

 

[Keratzlaff]

The employer would pay for the return ticket, but not directly, the money earned from being a clergy would go towards purchasing a ticket back to NZ .

I still cant find any more information about what Documents I will need....
Anyone find any new info?

 

[Keratzlaff]

GOOD NEWS!!!
I found a checklist finally!!!
Hope this helps other people as well.

CLERGY
Letter of invitation from your intended employer in Canada which details the dates of your proposed
length of stay in Canada, remuneration, duties and responsibilities while in Canada, and contact details of
the organization.

Canadian employer’s Proof of registration as a charity or non-profit organization with Canada
Revenue Agency (CRA) under the Income Tax Act.

Proof of ordination or appointment

Proof of your ability to perform your clergy related activities such as copies of your relevant
educational degrees (ex. Masters of Divinity or Theology)

 

[Ulassi]

Please I have a question related to clergy visa.
How do I notify CIC of change of employment?
Another Church is offering me a job as clergy too.