volunteer while waiting for PR

[KP1111]

almost 2 months since i entered canada as a visitor, 1 month since i mailed the application, now i am getting tired with sitting in the house most of the day.

i think i saw somewhere on the cic website saying i need a work permit even for most of volunteer work, example of volunteer work that does not require a work permit; helping neighbors cleaning snow. i googled, searched cic site and here but i can't find it anymore.

can i volunteer while i am here as a visitor?

 

[canadianwoman]

Usually not - you'll need a work permit in most cases. It is because many times people have been caught working illegally, and tried to get out of it by saying they were just volunteers. So CIC closed that loophole.
Still, if you do something that is obviously volunteer, you probably would not be caught.

 

[Sweden]

it's a fine line, but yes, you can volunteer. It has to be a task that can only be done by a volunteer, and not "too regular"... in substance, it has to be a "real volunteer job" and not a task that could be done by somebody paid for it ( you would be "stealing employment" from CIC point of view).
I'll try to find a link and post it here
Sweden

 

[R151NG5UN]

Agree with Canadian woman. If your working for people you know like friends and relatives and you categorically are not taking any money. I don't see the harm and I am pretty sure almost everybody who was bored would do the same thing. If I had landed as a visitor then I would have helped my in-laws do stuff to pass the time.

If your conscience is clear and no money is being paid, I don't see any harm.

Given your here as visitor however maybe clearing snow is not the best task to undertake depending on your health insurance. Try to keep to jobs that have less % of major accidents.

 

[Sweden]

here is some reading for you! http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Volunteer_Work-Canada

 

[KP1111]

thanks guys! that's what i understand.

>Sweden
thank for the link!

>R151NG5UN
no snow thing for me, 1) i am tiny 2) no provincial insuance as you said. here is manitoba, family of work permit visa or student visa are covered from their day 1 in canada. spouse of canadian citizen can't be covered until becoming resident.

 

[AnaMaria]

Getting a volunteer position can be hard, particularly if the organization is an established one. It took me over 18 months to get a position at BC SPCA (animal shelter), and some of them do not take volunteer without PR or citizen status. But there are some available. I encourage you to do volunteer. It will help you when it comes to time you can work. Networking becomes very important in order ton find a job (of course, things like occupation and location would also influence). Get involved in the community!

 

[KP1111]

thanks AnaMaria! i never thought finding volunteer job is that difficult, 18 months? as my application will be processed in Manilla as yours, i will be resident by then!

 

[davek1979]

My wife is in the same situation as you and she is working for the Salvation Army. They know her situation.

 

[KP1111]

thanks davek1979! i will look up local salvation army