MWC provides free (pro bono) legal advocacy services to migrant workers. MWC has a Sanctuary Policy and will never share information related to immigration status with CBSA, IRCC, or police. Please see below for eligibility criteria.
Our services are available by appointment, our office hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Pacific Time).
To request an appointment, please complete our Intake Form. Once submitted, we will assess your case and respond within 72 hours.
•The estimated wait time for a new appointment is approximately 20 business days, depending on the urgency of your situation. Urgency will be determined by our team after reviewing your intake form.
•If you are a returning client or already have a file with us, please email us directly at info@mwcbc.ca to request a follow-up appointment.
If you are unable to complete the form online, you may call us during office hours. If we are unable to respond your call, please leave a voice mail message or emails us at info@mwcbc.ca
Saturday Walk-in Legal Clinic Dates
We occasionally host walk-in clinics on Saturdays at our Vancouver office at 302-119 West Pender; all migrant workers who meet our eligibility criteria (see below) are welcome to attend. Our clinics are an opportunity for migrant workers to simply show up to our office and see a staff lawyer to get legal advice in the areas of employment and immigration.
If you’re interested in coming to the legal clinic, please submit your Intake Form – Legal Clinic or email us at info@mwcbc.ca and send us :
- Your passport and work permit
- Employment contract and other documentation
- Any other documents you have about the issue you’re facing
If you have questions about the legal clinic or are unsure of what to bring, please give us a call in advance to discuss.
Upcoming dates: Sep 6 & 27
Past dates: May 24, June 7 & 21, July 12 & 26, Aug 9 & 16
Dates are subject to change. We strongly recommend contacting MWC in advance to register before attending a clinic.
Who we can help
Our organization provides assistance to low-wage Migrant Workers with closed work permits, Migrant Care Workers, and Migrant Workers without status who live in British Columbia.
If you have an open work permit and are facing severe exploitation and/or sexual harassment at work, we may also be able to help you.
What we can help with
- Provide information about rights and obligations under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program
- PR applications under care giver pilot programs
- Work place injuries
- WorkSafeBC claims
- Missing wages and hours
- Poor working conditions
- If you’ve been forced to pay fees to get a job
- Labour exploitation
- Sexual harassment at work
- Getting fired from work
- Employment Standards Branch complaints
- Closed Work Permit applications
- Francophone Mobility Program work permit applications
- Open Work Permit for Vulnerable Workers
- Work Permit Under Special Programs
- Employment Insurance
- Judicial Reviews of Immigration applications
- Others
What we can’t help with
Unfortunately, we are unable to assist you if you are one of the following:
- Refugee or refugee claimant;
- International student;
- Co-op permit holder;
- Canadian Citizen;
- Permanent resident;
- Divorce and other family law cases;
- Open work permit holder, including
- Post-grad work permit;
- International Experience Canada work permit;
- CUAET work permit;
- Living outside of BC;
- Your issue happened outside of BC;
- Applying for PR under Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds;
- Applying for the BC Provincial Nominee Program;
- Applying for PR under Express Entry, International Experience Class, or Canadian-Experience Class ;
- Applying for Family Sponsorship; or
- Applying for Canadian Citizenship.
Migrant Workers Centre has limited funding; for this reason, we are often forced to prioritize clients who do not have access to other resources. We have a Sanctuary Policy and will never share information related to immigration status with CBSA, IRCC, or police.