Live-in Nannies and Caregivers

Two-income families and an aging population signal a care deficit in Canada. Not surprisingly, foreign live-in nannies and caregivers are an increasingly popular solution.

Foreign caregivers apply through Canada’s Live-in Caregiver Program. Caregivers with two years or 3,900 hours of authorized full-time Canadian employment are entitled to apply for permanent resident status and include their spouses and children in their application.

Families and individuals seeking to hire nannies or care-givers through the federal government’s temporary foreign worker program should understand they face a process similar to other Canadian employers—with some additional responsibilities.

Family employers must obtain a Labour Market Opinion and work permit before engaging a foreign nanny or caregiver. To be successful, they’ll need to demonstrate no Canadian worker is available for the job. Additionally, they will need to demonstrate a genuine need for a live-in caregiver, their ability to pay for and provide adequate private accommodations, and their commitment to adhere to federal and provincial employment standards.

Prospective foreign caregivers, meanwhile, are required to meet minimum education and language requirements, and complete a caregiver-related training program.

Once the nanny or caregiver is engaged, family employers are responsible for respecting caregiver’s statutory employment and privacy rights, providing suitable accommodation, limiting working hours and for providing at least one full day off work each week.