Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who can apply for the Canadian Live-In Caregiver Program
You must meet certain requirements to be eligible for the Live-In Caregiver Program in Canada.
You will need:
A job confirmation letter from a Canadian employer
Your employer must apply to Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) to have their suggested job offer reviewed and receive a positive job confirmation letter from HRSDC before hiring you. HRSDC will review the job duties, working conditions, suggested pay and so on to be sure that the job offer meets provincial labour standards and that there are not enough Canadians or permanent residents available to work as live-in caregivers in Canada. You will need a copy of this confirmation letter when you apply for a work permit.
A written contract with your future employer
The written contract will ensure there is a fair working arrangement between you and your employer. It explains clearly the responsibilities you both have in your work arrangement.
You must live in Canada in the home of the person for whom you will provide care. In the contract, you and your employer agree on duties, hours of work, salary and benefits. The contract may also describe what legal responsibilities your employer has toward you. Citizenship and Immigration Canada will review the contract and make sure your employer’s job offer is genuine.
You need the contract as part of your application. A sample contract appears below. Your contract does not have to look like this, but you will get some ideas on how it might look and what it should contain.
Successful completion of Canadian secondary school education
You must have successfully completed the equivalent of Canadian high school education (secondary school). Because of the differences in school systems across Canada, it is not possible to give a precise number of years. In most provinces, it takes 12 years of schooling to obtain a Canadian high school diploma. The immigration officer assessing your application will let you know what is needed.
At least six months’ training, or at least one year of full-time paid work experience in the past three years
To claim work experience, you need to have worked for one year, including at least six months of continuous employment for the same employer in a field or occupation similar to what you will do as a live-in caregiver. This experience must have been within the three years immediately before the day on which you make an application for a work permit as a caregiver.
To claim training, it must be full-time training in a classroom setting. Areas of study could be early childhood education, geriatric care, pediatric nursing or first aid.
Good knowledge of English or French
You must be able to speak, read and understand either English or French so you can function on your own in your employer’s home. For example, you must be able to call emergency services if they are needed, and to understand labels on medication. You will be unsupervised for most of the day and may have to communicate with someone outside the home. You can also read and understand your rights and obligations if you can function in English or French.
A work permit before you enter Canada
Follow the instructions under How to apply for a work permit in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
Q: Can I study in Canada while
I am a live-in caregiver?
If the course or program you want to take lasts more than six months, you will need to apply for a study permit. It is important to remember that you are in Canada to work as a live-in caregiver.
You can take non-credit special-interest courses without a study permit.
You can download and print the application for a study permit from Find an application form or guide in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page. You need the study permit application form.
You must pay a processing fee for your study permit.
For more information, see Study permits in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
Q: What if I need help?
If your employer treats you unfairly, you can call or write to the nearest provincial or territorial labour standards office. See the List of provincial and territorial labour standards offices in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
Your employer cannot penalize you for complaining to a labour standards office. The office may ask if you have tried first to resolve the problem by talking to your employer. Your employer may not realize that there is a problem, and you may be able to solve it by telling your employer how you feel and the reason for your concern.
In every province and territory, private and public agencies offer encouragement and advice. These agencies can help you if you have difficulties, such as stress, anxiety or any other problems. These agencies are usually listed in the telephone book. In some locations, there are also professional support networks for live-in domestics or caregivers. See the List of professional associations in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
Services Canada, a part of Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC), offers employment services. To find out which HRSDC–Services Canada centre serves your area, consult the government section of your telephone directory or visit the HRSDC website. Find a link to this website in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.