Advice please - seeking PR as Buddhist Monk

[suvaco]

Hi All,

I am researching options for PR and am not sure if I qualify for CEC. I have been in Canada on a valid visitor's record for over 2 years, living and practicing as a Buddhist monastic. Lawyers and a CIC officer insisted that I did not need a work permit for this, apparently allowed under R186(l). Would my two+ years in Canada in a religious capacity qualify me for a CEC application?

Thanks in advance,
Bhikkhu Suvaco

[helios]

There is not a whole lot of information on Buddhism as the regulations are tailored towards the 3 monotheistic religions, Christianity, Islam and Judaism.  You may well qualify for CEC under NOC 4154 and/or 4217.

The trick is to prove that your position in the temple is comparative to the above two NOC occupations and you have received similar grade of salary.

[suvaco]

Hi Helios,

Thanks for the reply. Buddhist monks are prohibited from owning or having power over money, and our order keeps the rules very strictly - there is no salary involved. I have a formal relationship to the monastery, but it is not traditional employment. Any thoughts on how the Canadian government would view this sort of thing for CEC?

[helios]

If you do not receive a salary, then chances are that you will not qualify under CEC, as it requires 2 years of paid full time experience (temporary worker).