Volunteering for temporary foreign workers

[maplelove]

Hi everyone, I want to know if anybody of you have done any volunteer works in your place of work here in Canada? I am in Alberta and I wonder where can I have a volunteer work and/or is it legal for us foreign workers to engage? Thank you so much.

 

[scylla]

It's a bit of a grey area.

Use the question "does someone normally get paid to do this?" as your guide. If the answer is yes - don't volunteer, CIC may equate it to working. If the question is no - you should be OK.

For example...

Let's say you're a graphic artist and want to volunteer with a company here to gain experience. They obviously typically pay for people to do work for them - so CIC would classify this as working (even though you're not being paid).

Let's say your relative owns a store and has offered you the opportunity to volunteer there and help mind the store. CIC will see this as working as well.

Let's say you want to read to the elderly at a hospital. People aren't usually paid to do this - so you should be fine.

 

[maplelove]

Thank you for correcting my question. I do mean the latter.

 

[out]

the volunteer i am hearing from my friends are usually activities that assist some kind of events. for example canada day event. there is usually parade that needs some assistance. you will volunteer for a cause to make it successful. the terry fox run for cancer cause is also into volunteering. normally is a day or two sessions activities... this what i know and i hope i help!