Canada Caregiver Program

Caregiver

Two Pathways to Permanent Residency for Caregivers

The Canada Caregiver Program, formally known as the Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP), enables Canadian employers to hire foreign caregivers (nannies) to work in their homes to provide childcare or home support for seniors or people with disabilities. The program is designed to address the increasing demand for caregivers in Canada and helps Canadian employers hire foreign caregivers when qualified Canadians and permanent residents are not available.

Caregivers who come to Canada under the caregiver immigration programs typically receive a work permit, similar to other temporary foreign workers. The work permit allows them to work in Canada for a specified period while fulfilling their caregiving responsibilities. After two years working, caregivers can apply for permanent residence.

There is no longer a live-in requirement unless there is an agreement between the employer and caregiver that the caregiver will live in the home.

The Canada Caregiver Program has two distinct pathways.

1. Caring for Children

This pathway to permanent residency is for caregivers providing childcare. The requirements include:

• two years of full-time work experience in Canada as a home child care provider within the past four years;
• a minimum language requirement of “initial intermediate” by meeting Canadian Language Benchmark 5 in a designated third-party language test; and
• a Canadian post-secondary education credential of at least one year, or an equivalent foreign credential supported by an Educational Credential Assessment.

The number of applications for permanent residency through the Caring for Children Pathway programs is capped at 2,750 principal applicants each year, so it is important that your application is presented in the best possible way.

2. Caring for People with High Medical Needs

This pathway is for caregivers who provide support to those with high medical needs, and some criteria closely match the former LCP requirements. The requirements include:

• two years of full-time work experience in Canada providing in-home care or care in a health facility to the elderly or persons with disabilities or chronic disease: for example, a registered nurse, a registered psychiatric nurse, a licensed practical nurse, a nurse aide, a patient service associate or a home support worker;
• demonstrating that they are licensed to practice in Canada, if applicable;
• a minimum language requirement of “intermediate” by meeting Canadian Language Benchmark 7 in a designated third-party language test, if applying as a registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse;
• a minimum language requirement of “initial intermediate” by meeting Canadian Language Benchmark 5 in a designated third-party language test, if applying in any other qualifying occupation; and
• a Canadian post-secondary education credential of at least one year, or an equivalent foreign credential supported by an Educational Credential Assessment.

The number of applications for permanent residency through the Caring for People with High Medical Needs Pathway is capped at 2,750 principal applicants each year, so it is important that your application is presented in the best possible way.

A Canadian Family Wants to Hire You as a Nanny?

If you are a caregiver abroad interested in immigrating to Canada, you need to know how to have the employing family ‘sponsor’ you via the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process.

We invite you to complete the brief assessment form to check your eligibility below.

Hiring a Foreign Caregiver/Nanny?

If you are bringing a nanny to Canada to help care for your loved ones, you will be required to apply for and receive a positive LMIA prior to the caregiver being eligible to apply for a Work Permit under this program.

You will need to demonstrate that:

• you made an effort to first hire a Canadian by applying for an LMIA through ESDC,
• you have sufficient financial means to support a caregiver,
• if they are living in, that your home has appropriate space, and
• you have made a job offer that meets the acceptable guidelines,

For assistance in acquiring an LMIA for a potential caregiver, we invite you to complete the brief assessment form below.