Immigration Rights - Migrant Workers Alliance for Change

Apr 6 2021Care Workers

If I already applied for permanent residency and my work permit is expiring soon, do I need to apply for a new work permit?

If you applied for an open work permit or bridging open work permit at the same time you applied for PR, you do not have to apply for a new work permit because you will be under “implied status” until you receive a decision.

But being under implied status means our health card and SIN become expired, leaving us without access to essential services. All workers deserve equal access to health care and benefits. This is why migrant care workers like you are organizing to win permanent status for all. Join us!

Apr 6 2021Care Workers

How can I change my employer? Will it affect my permanent residency application?

If you have a closed work permit, you will have to apply for a new LMIA and work permit in order to change employers and legally work in Canada. If you have a valid open work permit, you can change employers at any time.

If you have a permanent residency application in process under the new Caregiver program and you have not completed the required 24 months of service, you will need to send in an updated IMM 5983 form or a copy of your current temporary employment contract.

These restrictive immigration rules force migrant care workers to stay in bad jobs because it is difficult to find an employer with an LMIA or we are worried about our PR application. This is not fair! We should be free to change employers when we want to.

Apr 6 2021Farm Workers

How can I get Permanent Resident status in Canada?

Currently the Canadian government makes it nearly impossible for migrant farm workers like you to get permanent resident (PR) status. This is not fair! PR means equal rights, the power to protect ourselves and leave bad jobs, and the ability to be together with our families. Everybody deserves these things!

If you do not qualify for the programs below, you are not alone! The requirements for PR are too strict and shut out many of us. Farmworkers like you are uniting together to push the Canadian government to give permanent status for all!

Take action to win change here: StatusForAll.ca

Current permanent resident options for farm workers:

Farmworkers in certain industries can apply for PR through the Agri-Food Pilot Program. Watch this video to learn about the requirements: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27dP5kXVg1w
If you are married or have a common-law partner in Canada, you may be able to apply for a spousal sponsorship. To learn more, click this link to the government of Canada website.
To learn about how the Provincial Nominee Program works, click this link to read more on the Canadian immigration website.
Want to know more about applying through Express Entry? Click this link from the Government of Canada.

Apr 6 2021Farm Workers

How can I get an open work permit?

Right now the Canadian government only gives temporary open work permits to farmworkers who can prove that they are experiencing abuse at their current workplace, or are at risk of abuse. If you are being abused or at risk of being abused at work and want to apply for this permit, contact us for support.

To learn more about the Open Work Permit for Vulnerable Workers, check out our factsheet here: migrantworkersalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/OWP-VW-Factsheet.pdf

Or press this link to watch this video from the government of Canada.

Everybody deserves the freedom to choose where they work and live free from abuse. This is why farmworkers like you are organizing together to win permanent status for all! Will you join us?

Apr 6 2021Farm Workers

How can I bring my family?

Because migrant farm workers don’t have permanent status, families are being kept apart. Very few workers are able to meet the current requirements to get permanent residency.

Tap here to take action now!

Migrant farm workers and other low-wage workers are even excluded from measures like open work permits for family members of migrant workers!

Tap here to read more about requirements for family open work permits: migrantworkersalliance.org/fw-fowp

It’s not fair, you deserve to be together with your loved ones.

That’s why migrant workers across Canada are demanding status for all now so we can be with our families! Send a WhatsApp message to 905-324-2840 to learn how you can join the fight.