Being an au pair or nanny in Canada

Conditions of working as an au pair or nanny in Canada

Employment requirements and conditions for au pairs / nannies change on a regular basis in every country. Please note it is YOUR responsibility to check the latest information on government websites. Thank you!

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Basic information – childcare visa

As of June 18, 2019, there are 2 pilots to let you hire a foreign in-home caregiver. The Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilots provide in-home caregivers with the opportunity to become a permanent resident once they have 2 years of eligible work experience in Canada. It also lets their family members come to Canada to work or study while they get work experience. All employers (outside Quebec) who want to hire an in-home caregiver from overseas must hire them through these 2 pilots. If you want to hire a foreign in-home caregiver who is already in Canada, you may continue to do so either through the: Temporary Foreign Worker Program Live-In Caregiver Program Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilots. More info: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/hire-foreign-worker/in-home-caregiver.html

Visa type(s) for au pairs / nannies

Home Child Care Provider pilot: National Occupational Classification 4411, excluding foster parents. Home Support Worker pilot: National Occupational Classification 4412, excluding housekeepers.

Basic eligibility for au pair / nanny visa

To get a work permit, the foreign national (caregiver) must show that they meet the eligibility and admissibility requirements of the pilots. This includes: language test results that show they can communicate in English or French a Canadian post-secondary diploma or certificate of at least 1 year, or an Educational Credential Assessment report, which shows how their education compares to a Canadian post-secondary education credential of at least 1 year work experience in National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes 4411 or 4412. You need to check all the details and updates on the official government website.

Au pair / nanny visa duration

Once they have the offer of employment, the candidate will submit their permanent residence application through either the Home Child Care Provider or Home Support Worker pilot. They’ll also have to submit a work permit application along with their permanent residence application. If they meet the permanent residence criteria, they’ll get a work permit. The work permit will be valid for 3 years and will let the candidate work for any employer outside Quebec, in one of the eligible occupations (National Occupational Classification 4411, excluding foster parents, or 4412, excluding housekeepers). It can take up to 12 months for the worker to get their work permit. You should plan ahead if you’re hiring a caregiver through these pilots.

Basic condition for au pair / nanny visa

You must hold a valid passport from an eligible country.

Eligible countries of origin / nationality possibilities for visa applications

To hire a caregiver through the Live-in Caregiver Program, you must first try to fill your position with a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident or somebody who is already part of the Live-in Caregiver Program. If you wish to hire an au pair who doesn’t fit this category than the process is different. In both cases you need to check the specifics that apply to you, using the latest official government information.

Basic general visa application requirements

  • Invitation letter from host family to au pair, stating all details and conditions of the au pair / nanny job (dates and duration, working hours, salary, insurance, duties & responsibilities of both parties etc).
  • Signed contract / agreement between host family and au pair.
  • Adequate visa application forms and fees etc (This is a general summary abut visas, check the specifics on the official government website.)

Visa requirement changes

The Live-in Caregiver Program is closed to new applicants. You can only hire a caregiver through the program if you have:
– found a caregiver who already has a work permit in the Live-in Caregiver Program and who is looking for a new employer and
– been approved for a Labour Market Impact Assessment that shows the caregiver has agreed to live in your home.
If this does not apply to you, you can still hire a foreign caregiver. You and the caregiver can decide if they will live in or out of your home. You will need to get a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment from Service Canada and the caregiver must apply for a regular work permit.  If you submitted a Labour Market Impact Assessment application through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to hire a caregiver who is outside Canada on or after June 18, 2019, their work permit application won’t be processed.

USEFUL LINKS https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers/caregiver.html
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/hire-foreign-worker/caregiver-program/hire-caregiver.html
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/hire-foreign-worker/in-home-caregiver.html
INTERESTED? Please don’t forget it is your responsibility to check all the details and the latest information on the official government website of the country.