How long does the application process take?
The process takes between 3-6 months depending on where the caregiver is coming from and the backlog at Service Canada.
Reviewing, screening and interviewing the candidates take about two weeks. After that, all caregivers must be approved by Service Canada before they apply for a work visa. Approval takes between 3 -12 weeks. Once it's received, the employee uses it and her employment contract to apply for a work visa. The time it takes Immigration Canada to issue this work visa also varies. Caregivers coming from mainland China typically take longer to process while Filipino caregivers already working in Saudi Arabia usually get their work visa processed more quickly.

In order to be eligible to become a live-in caregiver in Canada the caregivers must have either attended a six-month, full-time caregiver program or they must have at least one year of nanny or related experience. Nannies with our agency either possess both training and experience or many years' experience as caregivers. Caregivers are also required by Immigration Canada to possess 72 units of education; in some countries this means a high school certificate, in others they must also attend a post-secondary institution in order to acquire their 72 units.

The live-in caregiver program is only possible for full-time care. The caregiver's salary is based on a work week of 44 hours per week. These hours may be flexible (not necessarily 9 - 5 each day) but some predictability is only fair to the caregiver. Your caregiver may work fewer hours but you must still pay her the same monthly salary.

Your caregiver may baby-sit for you if she agrees to do so. If her work exceeds 44 hours per week you must compensate her at a mutually agreed-upon rate or provide her with time off in lieu. Please keep in mind that any time the caregiver is required to be on your premises, to be on-call (even while sleeping) or to accompany you somewhere, she is considered to be working and is entitled to compensation.

After you have been presented with a selection of candidates, telephone interviews can be arranged for you. In addition, we provide you with a complete portfolio with pictures and certificates of the applicant to give you a better understanding of her/his personality.

Both parties have to sign a one-year contract specifying wages, hours of work and job duties. At the end of the year the contract may be terminated or renewed for another year.

If the family chooses to terminate the contract early, they must provide the caregiver with either two weeks' notice or the equivalent in compensation.
In this situation the caregiver has two options. She can return to her country of origin, or she can look for a new employer in Canada. The process of finding and changing to a new employer is quite lengthy so it is recommended that families give the caregiver as much notice as possible.

Your caregiver must have at least one private room in your home with a lock on it. She must have access to a bathroom, but it may be shared. You will of course want to make your caregiver's living quarters as comfortable as possible.

A few candidates do know how to drive, but would need to become accustomed to roads in Canada. Many are willing to take driver education courses and apply for their drivers' license once they are settled in.