Live-in Caregiver Program Live-in Caregiver Work Permit Work Permit LCP Work Permit

Live-in Caregiver Work Permit

It is the goal of many individuals to come to Canada and earn a living as a worker. Presently, Live-in Caregivers are in demand as Canada’s aging and in need citizens look to home care. As such, those who meet the requirements and past experience can qualify as a Live-in Caregiver and obtain a Work Permit abroad.

Live-in caregivers are individuals who are qualified to provide care for children, elderly persons or persons with disabilities in private homes without supervision.

Live-in caregivers must live in the private home where they work in Canada. Both the employer and the employee must follow several steps to meet the requirements of the Live-in Caregiver Program

Ways to Qualify as a Live-in Caregiver

Aside from being able to care for individuals in their private homes, Live-in Caregivers who intend to work in Canada must also demonstrate other qualifications:

  • Completion of the equivalent of a secondary school education in Canada;
  • At least six months of training or at least one year of full time work experience;
  • Good knowledge of English or French

What You will Need

Before you are able to obtain your work permit, you will first need to find an employer in Canada who is willing to hire you as a Live-in Caregiver. This employer will then need to apply to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada/Service Canada to have their job offer reviewed. If successful, your employer will receive a Positive Labour Market Opinion.

Once your employer has obtained a positive Labour Market Opinion for the position, you will then utilize this to submit an application for your work permit. You must first be approved and obtain their work permit before coming to Canada.

This means that, as a Live-in Caregiver, you will need to:

  1. Meet the qualifications of a Live-in Caregiver;
  2. Find an employer in Canada who is willing to hire you;
  3. Obtain a Positive Labour Market Opinion from your employer;
  4. Submit an application for a work permit and obtain said work permit before entering Canada.

How We Can Help

Many people are naturally capable of taking care of others. However, Canada has strict regulations on who qualifies as a Live-in Caregiver. Based on the qualifications, you will need to adequately demonstrate that you have the necessary skills to fulfill your intended job duties. Just because your employer is able to obtain a Labour Market Opinion for a position they intend to fill, does not necessarily mean you will automatically obtain a work permit. Many people still get refused their work permit regardless of a positive Labour Market Opinion.

  • Draft the necessary forms for a Labour Market Opinion and Work Permit;
  • Draft appropriate supporting documentation like employment reference letters;
  • Assist you with gathering important documents like contracts, agreements, transcripts, proof of your qualifications;
  • Work with you and your employer to ensure the right documents reflecting the pertinent details are collected;
  • Work with your employer to ensure that necessary recruitment efforts for the Labour Market Opinion are demonstrated;
  • Compile the strongest possible case as per your unique situation;
  • Submit and follow up on your application, ensuring the fastest possible processing times; and
  • Of course, be with you every step of the way.

For more information on a Work Permit as a Live-in Caregiver, feel free to browse our vast collection of information on the subject or contact us directly at 1-877-622-8182 or 416 477 2570. You can also email at Info@ToImmigrate.com.

Before you start filling out the Live-in caregiver application form you need to gather all the required documents for this application. You can use the document checklist below:

  • Completed family information (IMM5645)
  • Statutory Declaration of Common-law union (IMM5409)
  • Schedule 1- application for Temporary Resident Visa (IMM 5257- schedule 1), if applicable
  • Use of Representation (IMM 5476)
  • You need to have your job offer letter or contract from your potential employer with job tittle and working conditions
  • You also need to provide a copy of Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development of Canada (ESDC). Your should also provide a copy of your LMIA
  • You also have to prove documents that you meet the requirement of the job being offered to you
  • You have to make a fee payment in a an acceptable format, if applicable and pay application processing fee and biometric fee
  • Proof of funds
  • Photocopy of Current immigration document if applicable
  • Status documents
  • Any additional documents required by visa officer

This is a basic document checklist to guide you in the right path. Note that there are other documents needed. Call us today so that we can help you move forward! At Akrami & Associates there is always a way!

You may wonder at some time during your employment as a Live-in Caregiver whether or not you may change employers. The simple answer is yes, you may.

In order to change employers, you must find a new employer willing to hire you. You and your new employer would sign an employment contract and then your new employer would have to apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment. If a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (also called a confirmation letter) is received then you must apply for a new work permit.

It is important to discuss other steps that must be taken in order to successfully transition from one employer to another. An important document you must request from your employer before leaving is a Record of Employment.

A Record of Employment should indicate,

  • Why you are leaving
  • Can be for personal or other reasons
  • How many hours you have worked
  • What your gross earnings were
  • What amount was paid to you at the time you left, or that was payable to you at the time you left

A Record of Employment can only be issued by your employer and it is their legal responsibility to complete one for you. In addition to a Record of Employment, you must also request that your employer complete a document indicating the number of overtime hours you have worked (if applicable).

Both of these documents must be kept and presented in your application as proof of the numbers of hours you have worked if you wish to apply for Permanent Resident in the future.

If you find yourself in a position where you cannot find a new employer and your work permit is expiring, you may apply for a bridge extension. Although this does not allow you to work, it does give you the opportunity to remain in Canada legally, and to therefore find a new employer.

If you wish for more information concerning your situation or how the application process works, please feel free to call Akrami & Associates and let our experienced legal representatives assist you.

What is an employment contract for a Live-in Caregiver?

Your employment contract will outline your job duties, responsibilities, and work conditions, among other things. It protects your rights as an employee.

Do I have rights as a Live-in Caregiver under labour and employment laws?

You, as a Live-in Caregiver, have the legal right to fair conditions and fair treatment under the labour and employment laws of the province in which you work as a Live-in Caregiver.

Can I work for more than one employer simultaneously under the Live-in Caregiver Program?

No, you cannot work for more than one employer at the same time under the Live-in Caregiver Program.

Can I leave the Live-in Caregiver Program and find other employment?

If you decide to leave the Live-in Caregiver Program and you find a new job, your new employer must obtain a positive Labour Market Opinion.

If I come to Canada under the Live-in Caregiver Program, can my family come to Canada with me?

Family members usually do not come with you under the Live-in Caregiver Program. Employers may not allow family members to live in the same household, and you may not make enough money to support your family members in Canada. However, you may be allowed to bring a family member under the Live-in Caregiver Program, if you satisfy the visa office that you have enough money to support your family members and your employer will allow them to live in the same household.

Can my spouse or common law partner work in Canada?

If your spouse or common law partner wants to work in Canada, they must obtain their own work permit. Generally, the will need to meet the same requirements as you.

Can I return to my home country for vacation?

As a Live-in Caregiver, you can return to your home country for vacation. Your vacation details should be outlined in your employment contract.

What do I need to do if I want to extend my stay in Canada as a Live-in Caregiver?

If you want to stay in Canada as a Live-in Caregiver for a longer period of time than what is indicated on your work permit, you will need a letter from your Canadian employer stating that you will be working for him/her for an additional period of time and you will need a new or extended employment contract.

How long will it take me to get permanent residence status?

The current processing time for Live-in Caregiver permanent residence applications is approximately 39 months.

The team of legal professionals at Akrami & Associates can help you with your Live-in Caregiver Application!

We will begin by discussing your matter at length in a consultation. We can accommodate your needs by providing a face-to-face consultation or a telephone conversation – whichever is convenient for you. During these consultations we will discuss your options, address your concerns, outline the strengths and weaknesses of your case, and answer any of your questions.

As we will be discussing a Live-in Caregiver Application, we will be asking questions like?

  • What is your most recent work experience?
  • What type of education or training do you have?
  • How old are you?
  • Do you have an offer of employment?
  • What province is your Canadian employer from?

We ask these type of questions to determine the uniqueness of your case and to determine what is the best way to proceed.

Once you have determined the best way to proceed, based on our consultation, and you have retained us, we will send you a list of documentation that will allow us to begin preparing your application. Our list of documentation is specifically tailored to your case and is geared towards gathering the appropriate documents in order to present the strongest application possible.

We will also draft the required Forms, which you will then review. Additionally, we will include a submissions letter that explains your case to immigration officer by citing legal references and making legal arguments. This submissions letter will assist the immigration officer by giving providing him/her with a strong argument as to why your application should be approved.

Once we submit the application, we continue to support you. We will keep track of the status of your application and follow-up regularly with the visa processing centre on your behalf. We will also act on your behalf with respect to any additional information the immigration officer may need.

The Canadian Federal Government established the Live-in Caregiver Program to allow foreign Caregivers to work in Canada. This may be of interest to you if you are considering hiring a Caregiver from abroad for your household or if you are a foreign Caregiver interested in working in Canada.

Once you’ve determined that you are eligible to apply under the Live-in Caregiver Program, and you have begun the application process, you have to consider the essential documents for your application. An important part of any application to enter Canada is the supporting documentation.

What Documentation Do I Require for Work Permit?

When applying under the Live-in Caregiver Program, the key documents that you need to acquire are the following:

Employment Contract

The employment contract must be in writing and signed by you and your Canadian employer.

The employment contract must meet the labour standards and working conditions in the province where you are applying.

Proof of Canadian Employer’s Financial Ability

The Canadian demonstrate must demonstrate his financial ability to hire a full-time Live-in Caregiver.

When the Canadian employer is showing proof of his financial ability, he can consider both his and his spouse’s income.

Proof of the Canadian employer’s financial ability should be in the form of independent third-party documentation, such as documentation from the Canada Revenue Agency.

Labour Market Opinion

You will need a Labour Market Opinion issued by HRSDC / Service Canada.

HRSDC / Service Canada will assess the potential position for the Live-in Caregiver in Canada. Once HRSDC / Service Canada completes their assessment, they will provide a Labour Market opinion (LMO) to the employer and Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

The LMO is an assessment of the likely impact that the hiring of the foreign worker may have on the Canadian labour market.

There is further documentation that will be required in an application for the Live-in Caregiver Program, but the above mentioned are some of the key documents that you will need.