Work Permits for Home Caregivers in Canada
A live-in caregiver in Canada must be qualified to provide care for the elderly, disabled or children. They work in private homes and do not have direct supervision as they do their jobs. Contact us today at (403) 452-9515 Ext. 100 or 1-800-932-1190 or email us directly.
As in so many other parts of the world, though, there is a high demand for workers of this kind, and it is not unusual for foreign workers to seek employment as live-in caregivers in all parts of Canada. To accommodate the demand for this huge labour pool, the LCP or Home Caregiver Program was created by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Meeting the Requirements
According to the IRCC, to hire a caregiver through the LCP, you must:
- First, provide proof that you made an effort to fill the vacancy with a Canadian or a Permanent Resident, or someone already living in Canada
- You must be able to show evidence that you can pay a live-in caregiver (If Live-In)
- There must be a private and acceptable living space available for the caregiver.
- A formal job offer must be made to the intended employee to provide care to a child, elderly person, or disabled person
- An LMIA must be applied for through the ESDC.
It is also possible to hire caregivers from the LCP who are in need of a job, but the positive LMIA must still be done and Work Permits have to be issued even for those already part of the LCP.
When someone is interested in being a live-in caregiver, or someone is looking to hire someone to serve in that role, they cannot extend the duties much beyond that of caregiving. It is to be the primary focus of the job, and if items such as house cleaning or other domestic duties are assigned, the job does not qualify for the LCP.
Screening Is Necessary
Because the work of a caregiver is such an important matter, the visa office closely screens those who apply to work within the LCP program. They must meet specific criteria to be granted access to this program, including:
- Specific educational requirements
- Specific amounts of hands-on experience in the caregiving field
- Fluency in English or French to allow them to work without supervision
- Full clearance in their medical, criminal, and security records
- A contract signed by the Canadian employer
The contract must also meet very specific terms, explaining everything from the hours of work, wages paid and the specific duties, to a very clear itemization of the benefits to be paid.
When You Need a Work Permit
For those who hope to work in the LCP program, they will require a regular work permit or an LCP permit renewal. The regular work permit follows a very standard protocol and can be done online or through a local visa office outside of Canada.
Contact us today at (403) 452-9515 Ext. 100 or 1-800-932-1190 or email us directly.
