Information about Canada's Live-in Caregiver Program

LIVE-IN CRITERIA

You should know that you must pay a fee for the processing of your application when you submit it. You can contact the Canadian Consulate, Embassy or High Commission nearest you to find out the amount of the fee. The amount is revised from time to time so it reflects the cost involved in processing applications. Since the fee only covers the cost of handling the application, you will not get your money back, even if the visa office refuses your application. Therefore, we suggest that you review the program requirements carefully before making an application.

There will also be costs for medical examination, passport, visitor's visa (if you require one) and travel. You are responsible for these costs as well as the processing fee described above unless your employer offers to pay them for you.
THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Your employer will submit a request to hire you at a Human Resources Centre (HRC) in Canada.

The HRC will ensure that no Canadians, permanent residents, or other temporary workers already in Canada are available to take the employer's offer of employment.

Once the offer of employment has been validated by the HRC and forwarded to the visa office abroad, you will be invited to an interview at the visa office in your country so they can determine whether you are eligible to come to Canada as a live-in caregiver.

If the visa office approves your application, you will be given instructions for medical testing.

When Immigration Canada officials receive proof that your medical results are satisfactory and you have met all other requirements, you will be issued an employment authorization.

An employment authorization is not a travel document: you must also get a passport (and a visitor's visa, if required). The requirement for a visitor's visa will depend on the country you are coming from.
 

HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CARE INSURANCE

Under Canada's national health insurance system, Canadian residents do not have to pay the cost of certain hospital and medical expenses. However, depending on the province or territory in which you are working, you may be required to pay in order to be covered by the insurance plan. Once in Canada, contact the medical care or hospital insurance office in the province or territory where you are working. For more information if your employer has not already done so.
APPLYING FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE IN CANADA

You need at least two years of employment as a live-in caregiver to apply for permanent residence in Canada. The two year requirement does not include any time away from Canada. For example, if you go on vacation for three months, that time will not be included as part of the two years of employment.

In some countries you may need to re-apply for a visa to return to Canada. If you leave Canada for more than one year or if your employment authorization has expired, you will have to re-apply to the visa office to come back under the Live-in Caregiver Program. If you need an extension of your employment authorization, speak to an immigration officer at a Canada Immigration Centre (CIC). Program participants who wish to return to their home country are free to do so at any time.

If you apply to stay in Canada, you must complete and application for permanent resident status. At that time, you must prove that you have in fact worked as a full-time live-in caregiver for two years. To prove your two year work record, you can use a statement of earnings or T4 forms as well as any other documentation you feel would help to prove your work record.

If you change jobs since your arrival, you should have a Record of Employment (ROE) from each of your former employers. You will not have an ROE for your present job.
APPROXIMATE SALARY YOU CAN EXPECT

Your salary is based on your experience.

Based on all persons in household, minimum amount that can be paid:

Note: For each additional family member beyond eight, add $3.OO per day.
Note: The above rates are calculated on the basis of 22 working days per month and 8 working hours per day.
Note: These rates are effective since November 1, 2001.

From the above salary you must deduct:

APPLICATION FORM FOR INTERESTED NANNIES

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