Published
Sundeep S. Grewal is a lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation, called to the BC bar in 2018, and a member of the Law Society of British Columbia.
Updated November 13, 2026: IRCC’s February 2026 instructions and its how-to-apply page checked that day.
The letter matters most: a specific, dated account of what happened, who did it and how it affects you.
Back it up: messages, pay records, photos, letters from a doctor or support agency, witnesses.
No proof isn’t fatal: officers shouldn’t refuse only because your account isn’t corroborated, but evidence helps. Why a lawyer
Our immigration lawyers
Sundeep S. GrewalBarrister and Solicitor
Prabhpreet Kaur SanghaBarrister and Solicitor
Pardeep S. GrewalBarrister and SolicitorAbout our lawyers
Sundeep S. Grewal founded Lawgical Law Corporation and argues immigration cases at the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Federal Court of Canada.
Prabhpreet Kaur Sangha focuses on refugee claims, immigration appeals, inadmissibility, detention reviews and Federal Court cases, and has presented at Continuing Legal Education seminars and the National Immigration Conference.
Pardeep S. Grewal is an immigration and estates lawyer known for clear communication and practical strategy.
The open work permit for vulnerable workers is decided on your evidence. Officers first decide whether your facts are established, then whether they give reasonable grounds to believe you are being abused or are at risk. A clear letter of explanation backed by whatever proof you have is the strongest application you can make.
Lawgical Law Corporation, an immigration law firm in Surrey, Abbotsford and Vancouver, BC, prepares open work permit applications for vulnerable workers, from the letter of explanation and evidence to refusals and Federal Court reviews; this guide is by Sundeep S. Grewal.
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What to put in the letter (IMM 0017)
- Your job, employer and permit, and when you started.
- What happened, in order, with dates or approximate dates.
- Who was involved: employer, supervisor, recruiter, co-workers.
- How it affects you, and why you can’t stay in the job.
- Any complaints you made and what happened after.
- Why some evidence is missing, if it is (for example, your phone was taken).
A missing letter shouldn’t on its own cause a refusal, but it is the clearest way to tell your story.
Evidence that helps
| Abuse | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Financial | Pay stubs, bank records, contract, receipts for recruitment fees, messages about pay |
| Psychological | Texts, voice messages, emails, witness statements |
| Physical or housing | Photos, medical records, rental arrangements, inspection reports |
| Sexual | Medical or counselling letters, police report if any, your sworn statement |
| Reprisal | Termination letter, messages, the complaint you made and its date |
Format rules
- Combine everything into one file with a table of contents.
- Certified translations for anything not in English or French. A family member can’t translate, certify copies or witness your affidavit.
- Copies of all pages of your passports, if you still have them.
Keep yourself safe
Save copies of messages somewhere your employer can’t reach. If you are in danger, call 911.
Why this needs a lawyer
One lawyer, one file, every step:
- writing your letter with you, in your words;
- choosing and organizing the evidence;
- arranging certified translations and affidavits;
- answering follow-up requests.
A clear, well-supported account is what separates approvals from refusals.
Immigration lawyers are members of a provincial law society (in our case, the Law Society of British Columbia), and only a lawyer can represent you in the Federal Court if a refusal has to be challenged there. An immigration consultant cannot appear in that court for you.
Mistakes I have seen
- A short letter that says only “my employer abused me”.
- Uploading documents without translations.
- Sending evidence in many separate files.
- Leaving out why some evidence is missing.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a police report?
No. It helps, but complaints to authorities aren’t required.
What if I have no proof?
Your own detailed account and sworn statement are evidence. Officers shouldn’t refuse only for lack of corroboration.
Can my relative translate my documents?
No. Use a certified translator.
What should I do right now?
Start writing down what happened with dates today, and save copies of every message and pay record.
Book a consultation with our immigration lawyers in Surrey, Abbotsford or Vancouver, or online from anywhere.
Ready to book? Open the booking form ↑
Sources (official)
- IRCC instructions: Open work permits for vulnerable workers [R207.1 – A72] (modified February 6, 2026)
- IRCC: How to apply for the open work permit for vulnerable workers (modified July 14, 2026)
- Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, s. 196.2
This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case depends on its own facts.