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Random7

Newbie
Nov 19, 2025
7
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I want suggestions from experts or people with personal experience. I currently have an asylum claim ongoing in Ontario and have been unable to find a job here. I received job offers from Alberta and British Columbia, but I’m not sure whether I can move there just for work. I asked my lawyer, but I didn’t get a clear answer.

So, I’d like to hear from people who have experience with this situation or who have legal knowledge about it:
  1. Can I move to Alberta or British Columbia and start working there if I have an open work permit?
  2. I know I have to change my address, but after changing it, do I also have to transfer my refugee/asylum case to the province where I move for work? Or can I continue my case in Ontario and attend the hearing either virtually or in person, depending on what the IRB decides?
  3. Would it be better or faster to transfer my case to the province I move to? I believe hearing wait times in BC or Alberta may be shorter than in Ontario, so I might get a hearing sooner.
  4. What happens with legal aid if I move? Do I need to apply for legal aid again in the new province?
  5. Can I continue with my current lawyer who is based in Toronto for my hearing, or would I need to find a new lawyer after moving?
  6. My only intention in moving to another province is for employment, since it has been very difficult to find a job here in Ontario.
Thank you for your answers.
 
I want suggestions from experts or people with personal experience. I currently have an asylum claim ongoing in Ontario and have been unable to find a job here. I received job offers from Alberta and British Columbia, but I’m not sure whether I can move there just for work. I asked my lawyer, but I didn’t get a clear answer.

So, I’d like to hear from people who have experience with this situation or who have legal knowledge about it:
  1. Can I move to Alberta or British Columbia and start working there if I have an open work permit?
  2. I know I have to change my address, but after changing it, do I also have to transfer my refugee/asylum case to the province where I move for work? Or can I continue my case in Ontario and attend the hearing either virtually or in person, depending on what the IRB decides?
  3. Would it be better or faster to transfer my case to the province I move to? I believe hearing wait times in BC or Alberta may be shorter than in Ontario, so I might get a hearing sooner.
  4. What happens with legal aid if I move? Do I need to apply for legal aid again in the new province?
  5. Can I continue with my current lawyer who is based in Toronto for my hearing, or would I need to find a new lawyer after moving?
  6. My only intention in moving to another province is for employment, since it has been very difficult to find a job here in Ontario.
Thank you for your answers.

1. Yes
2. Yes you need to change your address. If you are receiving legal aid from Ontario you must change lawyers. If you are receiving any other benefits from Ontario you must advice them of you move. If you are private pay you can keep your lawyer if you want. Not ideal but your choice.
3. Would not move because you think you may get faster processing except perhaps from Quebec.
4 Yes you must change lawyers because you no longer qualify for legal aid In Ontario.
 
1. Yes
2. Yes you need to change your address. If you are receiving legal aid from Ontario you must change lawyers. If you are receiving any other benefits from Ontario you must advice them of you move. If you are private pay you can keep your lawyer if you want. Not ideal but your choice.
3. Would not move because you think you may get faster processing except perhaps from Quebec.
4 Yes you must change lawyers because you no longer qualify for legal aid In Ontario.

Im not sure about that. I received legal aid from Quebec and submit my claim. Government paid for that as is legal aid. After 6 monthd I moved to another province and I had my hearing with my lawyer from Quebec and never paid , only for translations of documents. I recommend this person asks directly to her/his lawyer what will happen or ask for advice to Legal Aide.
 
Im not sure about that. I received legal aid from Quebec and submit my claim. Government paid for that as is legal aid. After 6 monthd I moved to another province and I had my hearing with my lawyer from Quebec and never paid , only for translations of documents. I recommend this person asks directly to her/his lawyer what will happen or ask for advice to Legal Aide.

If you used Quebec legal aid when you moved to Alberta you were not allowed and you could be asked to repay any Quebec legal aid fees after you left Quebec. Legal aid is funded provincially for those living in Queuebc. Was your lawyer aware you moved? If so they could also be in trouble if they kept providing legal aid for someone who left the province (in your case Quebec).