Citizenship and Immigration Canada
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The Live-in Caregiver Program: How to apply
- Obtain a positive Labour Market Opinion (LMO) from your employer
- Sign a written contract with your future employer
- Apply for a work permit
- Check to see if you need a passport and a temporary resident visa
Obtain a positive Labour Market Opinion (LMO) from your employer
The first step is for your employer to send an application for a Labour Market Opinion (LMO) to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada/Service Canada (HRSDC/SC). If the employer meets all the HRSDC/SC Live-in Caregiver Program requirements, he will be issued a positive LMO.
The positive LMO confirms that:
- there is a need for this job in Canada and the employer can proceed to hire a foreign worker to do it; and
- the wages and working conditions offered by the employer meet provincial employment standards and are equivalent to the wages paid to Canadians in the same occupation.
HRSDC/SC will advise your employer to send you a copy of the positive LMO and the employment contract.
Sign a written contract with your future employer
You and your employer must sign a written employment contract.
You must submit the signed contract, together with the positive LMO issued to your employer, with your work permit application.
This must be the same employment contract submitted to HRSDC/SC by your employer, unless you provide an explanation of any changes (for example, a new start date).
The written employment contract will ensure there is a fair working arrangement between you and your employer. The employment contract must demonstrate that the Live-in Caregiver Program requirements are met by including a description of:
- mandatory employer-paid benefits, including:
- transportation to Canada from your country of permanent residence or the country of habitual residence to the location of work in Canada
- medical insurance coverage provided from the date of your arrival until you are eligible for provincial health insurance
- workplace safety insurance coverage for the duration of the employment
- all recruitment fees, including any amount payable to a third-party recruiter or agents hired by the employer that would otherwise have been charged to you
- job duties
- hours of work
- wages
- accommodation arrangements (including room and board)
- holiday and sick leave entitlements
- termination and resignation terms
A contract template is provided below. Your contract does not have to look exactly like this, but it must contain all the information and clauses indicated as mandatory.
The contract template is different for the province of Quebec and is available on the ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles (Quebec Immigration) website.
Apply for a work permit
- Obtain an application kit
- Read the guide
- Complete the application form and attach the necessary documents
- Pay the fee and get the necessary receipt
- Mail the application form and documents
To obtain the application kit, visit the website of the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate responsible for your area for further information. The application kit and instructions are specific to each country and have specific information for those applicants. The requirements and documents may be different depending on the country you are applying from.
Read the guide carefully before you complete the application form. The fee for processing your form is not refundable, so make sure you are eligible to get a live-in caregiver’s work permit before you apply.
3. Complete the application form and attach the necessary documents
Read the instructions on the application form and be sure to provide the required documents. The application kit tells you which documents you need to include. If information or documents are missing, your application may be delayed.
Some of the documents you will need to provide with your application include:
- Your diplomas, school certificates or transcripts listing the courses you have taken. You could be disqualified from the program if you are not honest about your education, training and experience.
- Information about your marital status and the number of children you have. This information will not affect the outcome of your application for a work permit.
- Fee payment in an acceptable format. Verify acceptable methods of payment with the visa office responsible for your area.
- Read about the other requirements in your application kit. The documents required may be different depending on the country you apply from.
4. Pay the fee and get the necessary receipt
The fee is CAN$150.
You should follow the instructions in the application kit and on the website of the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate responsible for your area. The instructions in the application kit will tell you how and where to pay.
5. Mail the application form and documents
You will find more information on how to apply for a live-in caregiver work permit from the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate responsible for your area.
Your live-in caregiver work permit allows you to work in Canada as a live-in caregiver. The work permit may be valid for up to four years and three months. You must renew your work permit before it expires.
There will also be costs for a medical examination and a passport to travel. You are responsible for these costs unless your employer offers to pay them.
All live-in caregivers must pass a medical examination before being approved to enter Canada and receive their work permit.
Check to see if you need a passport and a temporary resident visa
If you are a citizen or a permanent resident of one of the countries listed below, you do not need a passport or a temporary resident visa to enter Canada. However, you must provide proof of citizenship or permanent residence, such as a national identity card or an alien registration card. This applies to citizens or permanent residents of:
- the United States
- Saint-Pierre and Miquelon
- Greenland
If you come from any other country, you will need a passport.
To find out if you need a temporary resident visa, see the list of countries whose citizens need a visa to come to Canada. Requirements for travel documents may be different depending on your country. Before travelling, you should check with your country’s government for this information.
If you need a temporary resident visa as well as a work permit, the visa officer will issue them at the same time (if your application is approved).
Get more information on the temporary resident visa.
