Canada's Live-In Caregiver Program

  Canada's Live-In Caregiver Program was developed to help keep up with the demand for live-in caregivers in Canada. There is a shortage of Canadians and permanent residents of Canada who are available to work as Caregivers on a live-in basis. Therefore, the Live-In Caregiver Program is for qualified foreign Caregivers who are available to work on a live-in basis.

Qualified Caregivers
To qualify for the Live-In Caregiver Program, the foreign Caregiver must satisfy the following requirements:

1.
  • Successful completion of a high school education that is equivalent to a Canadian high school (Grade 12)
  • Successful completion of one of the following:
2.
  1. 6 months of full-time training related to the type of caregiving work the Caregiver intends to do in Canada (for example, if a Caregiver wants to work in Canada caring for an elderly person, the Caregiver must have completed at least 6 months of training related to geriatric care); or
  2. 12 months of paid employment in a field related to the type of caregiving work the Caregiver intends to do in Canada (for example, if a Caregiver wants to work in Canada caring for an elderly person, the Caregiver must have completed at least 12 months of work related to geriatric care). Of these 12 months, the Caregiver must have been employed for at least 6 consecutive months with the same employer.
3.
  • Ability to speak, read and write English well

Do You Need A Caregiver on a Live-In Basis?

There is already a large supply of Caregivers in Canada, but most are not available to work on a live-in basis. When deciding whether to hire a foreign live-in Caregiver, consider if you really need your Caregiver on a live-in basis..

Assess Your Resources
Before you make a job offer to a foreign Caregiver, you should evaluate your own resources. Do you have sufficient income to afford a live-in Caregiver's salary, plus room and board? Do you have enough space in your home to accommodate a live-in Caregiver? Will you be able to provide the live-in Caregiver with a private space of their own?

Validating Your Offer of Employment
Before you make a job offer to a foreign Caregiver, you must there is no one already in Canada available and willing to take the job. This person could be a Canadian or a permanent resident of Canada, or a live-in Caregiver already in Canada through the program. You may have to prove to the Canadian government that you have made a reasonable effort to find a Caregiver who is already in Canada. This may mean advertising and using other sources. We can assist you in this search.

Any offer you make to a foreign Caregiver should include an outline of their caregiving duties. It is important to specify the caregiving duties. Making a job offer for a housekeeper, for example, is not allowed through this program.

The Process - Hiring a Caregiver From Abroad
Once you determine that you want to make a job offer to a foreign live-in Caregiver, there are specific procedures you must go through in order to bring this person to Canada. This web site provides the important information you will need:


Hiring Process
What Your Caregiver Needs to Come to Canada
Making a Contract with Your Live-In Caregiver
Your Responsibilities as an Employer