Residency Program for Live-In Caregiver

For this year, the government has planned an important change to the previous program known as “Live-In Caregiver.” Starting on November 30^th, 2014, individuals who work with children or with special needs individuals will no longer be required to live in the home of the employer. This change will give the opportunity to many families of obtaining a permanent residency in Canada.

This new program has two sub-categories:

1. Childcare program
2. Program for the care of individuals with special medical needs

The program for childcare has the following basic requirements:

• Having worked for a 24 month period, full time, within a 48 month time period before applying for permanent residency.
• The 24 months do not have to be consecutive. Pauses and breaks are allowed.
• Full time is defined by 30 hours per week at a minimum.
• The experience that is obtained with work permits obtained while you study full time in Canada does not count for this program (co-op, off campus)
• The experience as Nanny must comply with the definition in code NOC4411.
• Foster parents do not qualify
• You must demonstrate that you completed all the essential activities described in code NOC4411

Some activities are not considered essential.

• Must have taken care of children who are under 18, whether it be in their own home, or the employer’s home.
• He/she is not required to live in the employer’s home to qualify.
• The applicant must demonstrate that he/she speaks English or French at an intermediate-advanced level (CLB 5). This can be demonstrated by taking an English test that is recognized by the CIC.
• The applicant must have completed at least one year of High School in Canada or the equivalent in their country of origin. The equivalent is determined by a specialized agency, through the process of Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). The studies can be in any area.
• The applicant must be admissible to Canada.

For the program of caring for people with special medical needs the requirements are similar to the previous points, except:

• The positions for this program are:
• General Nurse or Registered Psychiatrist (NOC3012)
• Licenced nurse (NOC3233)
• Nursing Assistants, Assistants and Associates for serving patients (NOC3413)
• Specialized workers for home assistance and related occupations, except domestic workers (NOC4412)
• English level must be CLB 7 for the positions of Nursing. If you obtained your experience within Canada.
• English level for the rest of the positions must be CLB5.

These two programs, but mostly childcare, will be very useful for individuals who have open work permits and that are looking for a good option for obtaining their residency. Permits like Working Holiday Visa, Post-Graduate Work Permit, and Spousal Work Permit (permit that is obtained by accompanying your student or working partner) will allow many people to establish their own childcare business or offer this service in some way when searching for a permanent residency for their families and themselves.

If this program is the option you are looking into, we suggest that you document everything that is relative to your job in this area during your stay in Canada, we also suggest that you prove that you have the corresponding licences to take care of children or handicapped individuals with medical necessities.

It is recommended that you also obtain the necessary courses like First Aid, among others. By documenting the previous points and declaring your taxes whether it be as an independent worker who takes care of children or as a family employee will guarantee CIC that you possess the experience that is demanded by this program to qualify for residency.