Volunteering on a visitors visa?

[Edenshelby]

Hey, I'm currently in Canada on a visitors visa, me and my partner are getting together all the information and the funds we need to apply for common law sponsorship. I have already been in Canada for almost 6 months, and I know it is still going to be quite a long time before my PR will be accepted. I already know that I am not allowed to work in Canada on a visitors visa, but what is the de with volunteering?

I have read a lot about it, and the general message I get is that you are not allowed to do it because the government see it as taking work from Canadians and people coming over on a work visa, but if it was to volunteer for a charity like the BCSPCA then would it be a problem, as volunteering for them isn't taking a paid position?

Any help would be great, as I really would like to volunteer and do something useful with my time that I am waiting for the PR to process! ;D

 

[zardoz]

Hey, I'm currently in Canada on a visitors visa, me and my partner are getting together all the information and the funds we need to apply for common law sponsorship. I have already been in Canada for almost 6 months, and I know it is still going to be quite a long time before my PR will be accepted. I already know that I am not allowed to work in Canada on a visitors visa, but what is the de with volunteering?

I have read a lot about it, and the general message I get is that you are not allowed to do it because the government see it as taking work from Canadians and people coming over on a work visa, but if it was to volunteer for a charity like the BCSPCA then would it be a problem, as volunteering for them isn't taking a paid position?

Any help would be great, as I really would like to volunteer and do something useful with my time that I am waiting for the PR to process! ;D

As long as any unpaid work that you do has ZERO impact (actual or potential) on the Canadian labour market, you are likely to be OK.

 

[kaya~*]

Hello,

I'm pretty much in the same position as Eden, I would like to do something productive with my time. I just got approved a 6 months visitor visa extension and trying to figure out what can I do w all this time until I get married and file for PR.

As long as any unpaid work that you do has ZERO impact (actual or potential) on the Canadian labour market, you are likely to be OK.

How do I prove that it's zero impact?

So basically I can't walk in the school or clinic down the road of where I live and offer them my help for free?

Thanks

 

[zardoz]

Hello,

I'm pretty much in the same position as Eden, I would like to do something productive with my time. I just got approved a 6 months visitor visa extension and trying to figure out what can I do w all this time until I get married and file for PR.

How do I prove that it's zero impact?

So basically I can't walk in the school or clinic down the road of where I live and offer them my help for free?

Thanks

If you do work that they *could* reasonably be expected to pay someone to do, no... You would be replacing a potential employee. It doesn't matter if they *wouldn't* employ someone... It's a fine line to walk.

 

[kaya~*]

So, it better to not do anything at all because if you are genuinely trying to help it can backfire?

I wonder if there is anywhere I could find more detailed information regarding this?

Thanks

 

[Jalex23]

So, it better to not do anything at all because if you are genuinely trying to help it can backfire?

I wonder if there is anywhere I could find more detailed information regarding this?

Thanks

If it is announced as volunteering you can do it. Lots of visitors volunteer in order to practice their English skills.

If you out of the blue offer your services for a $0 fee, that is working and that can't be done.

So stick to recognized volunteering programs.

 

[kaya~*]

Thanks I guess that makes sense...

 

[Aquib]

If it is announced as volunteering you can do it. Lots of visitors volunteer in order to practice their English skills.

If you out of the blue offer your services for a $0 fee, that is working and that can't be done.

So stick to recognized volunteering programs.

If I wrote or say that my parents will look after my Childern when my wife work then Cic will take it as working as they taking away job of one Canadian baby sitter .
On other hand if your parent are on visit visa and you both (husb and wife) go for work and they stay home with uR kids then nothing illegal.
So there is grey area .

 

[kaya~*]

Ya I just don't want to get in trouble lol after all I'm only doing it to help no way I wanna get caught in a situation where I am liable for just wanting to help. So therefore I just won't help and kill time cleaning my house or something...

 

[Jalex23]

If I wrote or say that my parents will look after my Childern when my wife work then Cic will take it as working as they taking away job of one Canadian baby sitter .
On other hand if your parent are on visit visa and you both (husb and wife) go for work and they stay home with uR kids then nothing illegal.
So there is grey area .

I don't see a gray area there.

If you specifically bring your parents/sister/uncle/etc to look after your children when you go to work then YES it is illegal. If your parents during their short visit (2-3 weeks) take care of your baby while you are out that is by no means illegal, they are just helping. You have to take into account the nature of the "visit" (would you put a visitor in your house to take care of your baby on a daily basis for 8 hours a day? that sounds by all means like a job).

The same goes for volunteering, if it is a spot that was specifically written for volunteers you are not taking any work away from anyone. If you go and offer your services for 0$ dollar fee that is illegal as you are actually getting in the way of a job opportunity.

Volunteering is quite simple, if it is announced as volunteering you can do it.