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According to a CIC Press Release, Live in Caregivers (LIC) will be admitted to Canada in record numbers: the highest since 2003 when the program began. Canada will be admitting 17500 LICs for 2014.
This is strange given that present backlogs are huge resulting in processing times well over a year in some cases. Imagine you’re a family with young children waiting years for your nanny overseas to arrive. Your kids will be in college by the time she comes knocking.
But now CIC is adding to the backlog by opening the doors to LIC applications. Not sure what the logic is there. CIC promises to “slash backlogs” like they did with the Parental Sponsorship Application set to re-open in January 2014. If the government is successful, expect to get an influx of nannies who are interested in getting Canadian permanent residence though the Live in Caregiver Program.
How Does The Live in Caregiver Program Work in Canada?
What is required is that nannies work for a Canadian employer for two years during their first four years after entry into Canada and then they would be eligible for Canadian Permanent Residence. There are other requirements of course but that is the basic one.
The Live in Caregiver program is a win-win for Canadian employers and overseas nannies provided the relationship works out.
Tips for Canadian Employers to Ensure Their Nannies Are Worth The Wait
1. Treat your nannies like part of the family and not an indentured servant. If you expect to get the most out of your LIC, treat them well. They work hard. They are far away from home. They are scared and are really at the mercy of your good will. When they arrive, welcome them with open arms. Show them their room, give them a tour of your house, introduce them to your kids. The first impression is the most important.
2. Give them a routine. Don’t expect your nanny to know what to do. You should make it easy for them and give them a check list of chores including things like kid’s bedtime routines, cleaning expectations, schedules etc. The more easier you make it, the better your nanny will perform.
3. Give them breaks. As an employer you are required to treat your nanny with respect and part of that is to give them breaks during the day. Trust me. You will get a happier nanny and therefore a happier household.
4. Pay them…on time: Not only are you required to pay them an amount you contracted them for, you should ethically pay them on time. Again common sense: if you want to create loyalty in your employee, pay them.
5. Set the boundaries early on. Do you want you your nanny to eat dinner with you? Or afterwards? How much involvement do you want your nanny to have with your kids? Walking your kids to school? Or do you want to do it? Make lunches? You get the picture.
6. Have fun! You nanny can be a source of joy and a nice addition to your family. If your spouse works and you are at home, it may be nice for you to have another adult in the house.
7. Help your nanny with her application for permanent residence. When the time comes, your nannie will want to apply for permanent residence. After all, that is why she is here in the first place. She has put in the time with you and now is eligible to apply. Be a “mench” and help her out. Pay for a lawyer if necessary.
Canada Will Become a “Nanny Nation”
Over the last couple of years it has been a seller’s market when it came to Live-in Caregivers. There were a lot more employers than nannies available. Canadian employers were clambering to find nannies who would be available to work. Now that seems like it may change with the new targets set for 2014. It will remain to be seen what the wait times will be like. But it looks like Canada will be once again a nanny nation.
President & CEO
Michael Niren
Mr. Niren is CEO of VisaPlace LLC and the President and Managing Partner of VisaPlace Legal Canada, an immigration law firm based in Toronto, and VisaPlace Legal US a law firm registered in The District of Columbia, USA. Mr. Niren is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section, American Lawyers Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
