A caregiver will usually work in the home and help their clients with daily activities, such as bathing and bathroom functions, taking medication, and some housework. In contrast, someone working as a nanny is responsible for providing nurturing care to one or more children with duties related to cleaning and cooking tasks.
Moving to Canada to be a nanny or caregiver has increasingly become a popular choice for many newcomers. Here’s what you need to know to sponsor a foreign nanny to work for you!
How to Immigrate to Canada as a Nanny
There is no specific nanny visa. However, there are programs that Canada offers that can lead to permanent residency, or if you are not qualified for one of those streams, you can work in Canada temporarily. The immigration options for caregivers include:
- Live-In Caregiver Program (currently closed to new applicants)
- Some Child Care Provider Pilot
- Home Support Worker Pilot
- Temporary Work Visa
Related Articles: Immigrate to Canada as a Nanny: Options, How To, and Requirements
Who Can I Sponsor to Be a Nanny?
Live-In Caregiver Program – Due to this program being closed to new applicants, you are only able to sponsor an individual who:
- is already part of the Live-in Caregiver Program
- wants to continue working on a live-in basis
Home Child-Care Provider Pilot/Home Support Worker Pilot: Those applying to one of these pilot programs must pass the criteria that assess their education and language proficiency. Aside from this assessment, applicants looking to be sponsored must:
- at least 24 months of qualifying Canadian work experience OR
- a job offer and the ability to perform the work
Do I Need an LMIA?
To come to work in Canada as a nanny, your employer will need an LMIA to prove that a foreign worker is needed to fill the position because no qualified Canadian worker is available.
For you, it means that you need to check that your employer has the necessary paperwork filled out and prove that the work is needed. The Labour Impact Market Assessment, also known as LMIA is for prospective Canadian employers who need to prove that a labor and skill shortage exists that justifies employing a foreign worker. An LMIA is not the only document your employer will have to supply you with for your application, so you’ll want to keep informed about what they are doing to facilitate your coming to work for them. Two, the need for an LMIA highlights the competitive nature of Canada’s job market and the government’s prioritizing of Canadian workers, so the more education, skills, and experience you have in childcare, the better you’ll look like a potential nanny.
How Much Does it Cost to Sponsor a Nanny in Canada?
The most important expense you can expect to pay to sponsor and hire a nanny/caregiver is the LMIA non-refundable processing fee ($1,000 per position requested).
Canadian Nanny/Caregiver Salary
Average Salary: $30k CAD/year
As a nanny sponsor/employer, here are a few additional expenses you can expect.
- Employers must also cover the worker’s transportation costs (e.g. airplane fare from another country) and are not able to recoup these costs from the worker at a later time for any reason.
- The worker’s medical coverage from the time they arrive in Canada until the time they are covered by the provincial/territorial health services plan must be paid for by their employer.
- An employer must register with and pay premiums to their provincial/territorial Workplace safety insurance provider. Each province/territory has its own version of this and applicable premium rates.
- Employers must pay the prevailing provincial median wage for babysitters, nannies and parents’ helpers found on the Government of Canada Job Bank website
Top Nanny Immigration Interview Questions for Nannies?
Here are a few questions you can expect when attending your nanny immigration interview for a work permit.
- Why did you opt to be a nanny?
- What are your childcare qualifications?
- What according to you is an important element of the job of a nanny?
- What are the qualities which children like in you?
- What makes you think you are best suited for this job?
Interested in Immigrating as a Nanny to Canada?
If so, Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals, and consultants who work for VisaPlace Legal an award-winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.
The legal requirements for immigration to Canada as a nanny may be complicated and require a good grasp of Canadian immigration laws. To avoid hassles and to ensure that you provide all the requirements on time, you need the help of an experienced and skilled lawyer who specializes in Canadian immigration law. Increase your chances of living and working in Canada as a Nanny by working with a lawyer who can help you land the caregiver job you need.
Ready for the next step? Book your 1 on 1 consultation now or call us at 1-877-296-0874.
