Immigrant Visas » The Live-In Caregiver Program

The Live-in Caregiver Program brings qualified caregivers to Canada in situations where there are no Canadians or permanent residents to fill available positions. Live-in caregivers are individuals who are qualified to work without supervision in a private household providing care for children , the elderly or people with disabilities. The   live-in caregiver must live in the employer's home.


What are the requirements to work as a Live-In Caregiver ?

In order to qualify under the Live-in Caregiver Program , candidates must meet four main requirements:

                     They must have successfully completed a course of study that is equivalent to a Canadian secondary school diploma.
                     They must have completed 6 months of full-time training in a classroom settings or 12 months of full-time paid employment
                          ( including at least 6 months of continuous employment with one employer ) in a field or occupation related to the job they are
                          seeking as a live-in caregiver. This experience must have been obtained within the three years immediately prior to the day on
                          which submit an application for a work permit.
                    They must have the ability to speak, read and understand either English or French at a level sufficient to communicate
                          independently.
                    They must have a written employment contract with their future employer

A foreign national who wishes to work in Canada as a live-in caregiver must apply for a work  permit before seeking entry to Canada.


Renewal of Work Permits


                    A live-in caregiver is authorized to work only for the employer named in the work permit. A work permit is valid for one year and
                         must be renewed before it expires.
                    When applying for renewal of a work permit , the caregiver must include a letter from the employer stating that the job as a live-in
                        caregiver is being offered for another year.

Who is eligible for Permanent Resident Status ?

                   A live-in caregiver may apply for permanent residence after completing a minimum of two years employment as a live-in
                        caregiver. However, this employment must have occurred within a three-year period immediately following entry to Canada as a
                        live-in caregiver.
                   The two-year time period may represent work as a live-in caregiver for more than one employer and need not be without
                        interruption, but may not represent work for more than one employer at a time.

What's new ?

                   A written contract, which sets out the conditions of employment between the employer and the caregiver, is required before the
                       caregiver can obtain a work permit.
                   A live-in caregiver may change employers after obtaining a new work permit naming the new employer.

For a FREE assessment of your eligibility to migrate to Canada in the Independent/Skilled Worker Class, please fill out our Assessment Form.