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Live-in Caregiver Program Employee

According to Canadian immigration law, “a live-in caregiver is a person who provides child care, senior home support care or care of the disabled without supervision in a private household in Canada in which the person resides.”

The employer of a live-in caregiver is a person who hires a live-in caregiver to care for his or her children, senior members of the family, or disabled persons, without supervision.

How can we help?

Immigroup can assist you in finding an employer or/and assisting you with your paper work. 

To start simply give us a call at Toll Free North America 1-866-760-2623 or international calls 1-416-962-2623 and let one of our representative know that you’re looking to come to Canada on the live-in caregiver program or fill out an on line request form.

Requirements for a live-in caregiver:

1. Education: 

• Must have completed the equivalent of Canadian high school

2.  Training and experience

• Equivalent of 6 months full-time training in a program related to the type of work the live-in caregiver will perform in Canada or,

• Twelve months of full time paid employment related to the type of work to be performed in Canada.  Experience must have occurred within the three years before the application is submitted and must include at least six months of continuous employment with one employer.

3.  Language:

• Knowledge of  English or French at a level where he or she can function independently within the home and communicate with other persons outside the home; handle emergency situations like calling the police or a doctor, answer the telephone, read and understand medication labels and prescriptions. 

4.  Contract:

• A live-in caregiver is required to sign a contract (Chris have this form on our Immigorup web site don’t link http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/epb/lmd/fw/LCPContract.pdf with the employer and must live in the employer’s home. 

The contract outlines the rights and responsibilities of employer and employee, and must be signed by both.  It states the duties, hours of work, salary, and benefits, vacation period, information regarding health insurance, cost of room and board.  The terms and conditions of the contract must be consistent with the province standards where the live-in caregiver will work.

After the contract is signed by the employer and the employee…

After both parties sign the contract, it must be submitted to Human Resources and Social Development Canada for approval.  HRSDC will issue a Labour Market Opinion (known as LMO). 

The live-in caregiver then applies for a work permit at the Canadian visa office that has jurisdiction over the country where the live-in caregiver lives.  You must complete a work application and submit supporting documents such as your educational certificates, letters of reference from previous employers, police certificate from the country where you reside.  You will also be required to undergo a medical examination before the work permit can be issued. 

The work permit will have a one-year validity and can be renewed for another year, to a maximum of three years.  If the live-in caregiver plans to change employers, a new contract is required, as well as a new approval from HRSDC.  The new work permit issued will also be valid one year.  If the live-in caregiver will change employment but has not found a new employer, a work permit is issued, which is valid two months. 

Applying for permanent residence…
A live-in caregiver is eligible to apply for permanent residence in Canada after working two years within three years of their arrival in Canada, and can include his or her family members (spouse or common-law partner, and dependents).  The two year period does not include long absences from Canada, except for vacation leave which is stated in the employment contract.