Religious Worker
Religious Worker
Depending on the type of religious work being done in Canada, and whether the ultimate goal is to remain a temporary resident or become a permanent resident, immigration strategies for religious workers will vary.
Immigration Regulation 186(L) allows a foreign national to work in Canada without a work permit when the main duties are “spiritual”. Immigration Regulation 186(l) reads:
186. A foreign national may work in Canada without a work permit… (l) as a person who is responsible for assisting a congregation or group in the achievement of its spiritual goals and whose main duties are to preach doctrine, perform functions related to gatherings of the congregation or group or provide spiritual counselling;
This has three components:
- “Assisting a congregation or group“
- “In the achievement of its spiritual goals“
- “Whose main duties are to preach doctrine, perform functions related to gatherings of the congregation or group or provide spiritual counselling”
For instance, an evangelist like Billy Graham might enter Canada through this avenue for a week-long crusade, as would an overseas pastor serving a two-year term in a local church. The religious worker is entitled to be paid for work which falls within this exemption. All you need to do is persuade the CBSA officer that you are eligible to work without a work permit, and that your stay is temporary in nature.
Obtaining proper documentation under this exemption is important. For example, it allows the worker to qualify for medical insurance, access free public schooling for children, and to obtain a spousal work permit. A spousal work permit can be a good tool for becoming a permanent resident.
Foreign Nationals who intend to work in a charitable organization performing other “non- spiritual” duties will usually require a work permit. We have helped religious workers obtain closed (employer-specific) work permits, while their spouses received open work permits — opening the door to other immigration pathways for the family. There are several ways to obtain one, including:
1. LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment)
A Canadian employer can apply to Service Canada for a LMIA stating that the position offered to a foreign worker would not have a negative effect on the Canadian labour market. The foreign national employee can then apply for a work permit for that position.
An LMIA-supported work permit was historically able to boost Express Entry candidates’ Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. However, as of March 25, 2025, IRCC no longer awards any CRS points for a job offer, LMIA-supported or otherwise. A valid job offer may still be required as an eligibility criterion for certain programs (such as the Federal Skilled Trades Program), but it no longer adds points to your ranking.
2. Religious and Charitable Workers Exemption:
Immigration Regulation 205(d) reads: “A work permit may be issued under section 200 to a foreign national who intends to perform work that…(d) is of a religious or charitable nature.”
The duties performed by the individual must be of a charitable or religious nature that helps to relieve poverty, or benefit the community, educational or religious institutions.
In the past, Canada Immigration had taken the position that R 205(d) workers could not be paid, except for a small stipend, limiting the usefulness of this provision. In early 2015, this interpretation was successfully challenged in Federal Court, which was instrumental in Canada Immigration changing their Immigration Manuals to reflect the ability of these workers to be paid.
3. Intra-Company Transferees:
A work permit can be obtained for a foreign religious or charitable group wanting to:
- Establish a Canadian branch;
- Transfer a senior executive, senior manager, or person with specialized knowledge to an existing Canadian branch.
The transferee must have worked with the foreign branch for at least one year in the previous three years. This provision is very useful for parachurch organizations, Christian denominations, or other groups transferring administrative personnel to Canada.
4. Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (“CUSMA”, formerly NAFTA):
For American or Mexican citizens, some professionals, such as Accountants, Management Consultants, and others can also qualify for a CUSMA-based work permit. This allows the Canadian employer to avoid having to advertise the position and minimum salary requirements commonly found with other work permits. This is a useful tool for ministries that often cannot afford market wages for professionals.
5. Provincial Nominee Programs (“PNP”):
Most provinces have a Provincial Nominee Program whereby employers can apply to the province to nominate a foreign national for permanent residence. While their permanent residence application is in process, we can usually obtain a work permit. We have helped religious workers secure permanent residence through provincial nominee programs, including in British Columbia. However, eligibility rules change — as of June 13, 2026, BC’s PNP Skills Immigration streams no longer accept job offers classified under NOC 41302 (Religious leaders) or 42204 (Religious workers), so this pathway is not currently available for religious worker roles in BC. Eligibility in other provinces varies and should be confirmed with us before applying.
These options are useful, even if a work permit exemption exists, as certain work permits can assist the foreign religious worker and their families in permanent immigration.
Religious Workers will have several options to apply for Permanent Residence for themselves and their families, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and for some provinces, the Provincial Nominee Programs.
To immigrate under the Federal Skilled Worker or the Canadian Experience Class, one must apply through the new Express Entry system, while under the Provincial Nominee Programs, Express Entry may not be mandatory.
The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) are two distinct federal pilots that help boost the economy of designated communities — 14 rural communities under RCIP and 6 Francophone minority communities under FCIP.
Societies and Charitable Organizations
Societies are non-profit organizations that may be incorporated in order to exist independently from their members. Societies may not necessarily be Charitable Organizations. Charitable Organizations are given charitable status through a lengthy and detailed approval process with the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”). They must have a mandate to relieve poverty, advance education, advance religion or benefit the community.
The CRA has a list of all Canadian charities in good standing available through their website at:
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/charities-giving/list-charities.html.
