Do refugee clergy need a work permit?

[rhysalden]

Hi! Does someone who has refugee status in Canada, and who is still waiting for their work permit (depending on the results of their medical examination), eligible for the exemption on a work permit for clergy? This seems to be the case for temporary foreign workers but I can't find information for refugee clergy on the CIC website.

This question is on behalf of an Ethiopian Orthodox priest.

 

[scylla]

To the best of my knowledge a work permit is required since someone who is in Canada as a refugee claimant is technically out of status and therefore doesn't fall under the clergy work permit exemption.