Immigration Blog about US & Canadian Immigration matters.

What is the Live-in Caregiver Program?

The live-in caregiver program allows for an employer to hire a live-in caregiver from outside of Canada. A live-in caregiver is a person who is qualified to care for children, elderly people, and individuals with disabilities without supervision. They must also live in the home where they work. Both the caregiver and the employer have certain criteria they must meet.

The Live-In Caregiver program allows families to hire foreign live-in caregiver when citizens or permanent residents of Canada are not available to do that specific job. A live in caregiver may be hired to provide care for children under 18, elderly person who is 65 years of age or over or a person with disability, on a full time bases. There are three significant steps that you need to follow to apply under this program.

• FIRST you would be required to get positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from your employer. The employer would have to pay a fee to Employment and Social Development Canada, and receive the positive LMIA. This would confirm that there is a need for this job in Canada, and the wages and working conditions that are offered by the employer are equivalent to the wages paid to a Canadian in the same occupation.
• SECOND you and your employer would have to sign a written employment agreement. You would be required to submit your employment contract and the positive LMIA with your application. The contract will outline the details of the working conditions, including your duties, hours of work, wages, and accommodations. The contract should also include the holiday and sick leave entitlements and termination and resignation terms. This is necessary for your security as the employee.
• THIRD you may apply either online or fill out the application on paper. In addition you will be required to have your travel documents, which include your passport, citizenship documents etc.

If you are the employer and require assistance with hiring a foreign live in caregiver or if you are a worker that would like come to Canada to work. You can contact us and our team of experienced professionals will be happy to assist you.