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Foreign Worker Programs: Live-in Caregivers - CIC Role

Foreign Worker Home \ LCP Program Home \ CIC's Role
This Section Will Answer The Following Questions

LCP Site Map

  Program Overview

  Employer's Role

  Caregiver's Role

  HRDC's Role

  CIC's Role

  Employer Responsibilities

  Caregiver Responsibilities

 

What Is CIC's Role

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for determining whether a foreign caregiver is eligible to come to Canada under the live-in caregiver program. CIC will approve an application and issue a work permit to the caregiver if the applicant:
  • Meets the program criteria.
  • Satisfies all other Immigration requirements.

A work permit is a document that allows a person to legally work in Canada.

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How Does CIC Assess Caregivers

The assessment of caregivers is based on their level of education, training, experience, and language skills. Caregivers will also be asked to submit an employer-employee contract.

There are four specific CIC requirements for live-in caregivers, in addition to general immigration requirements. These are:

1.

successful completion of a course of study that is equivalent to a Canadian secondary school diploma;

2.

completion of six months' of full-time training in a classroom setting, or 12 months of full-time paid employment (including at least six months of continuous employment with one employer) in a field or occupation related to the job they are seeking as a live-in caregiver. (This experience must have been obtained within the three years immediately prior to the day on which they submit an application for a work permit.);

3.

the ability to speak, read and understand either English or French a level sufficient to communicate independently; and

4.

a written employment contract with their future employer.

The following table describes how a potential caregiver can satisfy the selection criteria.

Criteria

Definition

Education

Successful completion of the equivalent of a Canadian high school education.

Training

Successful completion of six months of full-time training in a field or occupation related to the job being sought under the program.

Experience

Completion of 12 months of full-time paid employment related to the job being sought under the program, including 6 months of continuous employment with 1 employer. The experience must have been obtained within the 3 years immediately prior to the day on which the caregiver applies for their work permit.

Language

Ability to speak, read, and understand either English or French.

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Can A Caregiver Change Employers

A work permit is specific to one employer.

When a caregiver is leaving one employer to work for another the caregiver must apply to the Case Processing Centre (CPC), Vegreville for a new work permit after the new employer has obtained a confirmation from Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC).

The caregiver cannot start work for the new employer until they receive the new work permit.

 

What Is The Duration of a work permit

A work permit is valid for one year.

Therefore, a caregiver must apply to CPC Vegreville to have their work permit extended before it expires.

It is advisable to apply for a new work permit at least 60 days prior to the expiry of a current authorization.

 

What Is The Role of CPC Vegreville

CPC Vegreville is a CIC office in Canada that processes applications by mail.

A caregiver may apply for a new work permit to CPC Vegreville using an Application to Change Terms and Conditions or Extend My Stay in Canada. Government of Canada site

Detailed information on how a caregiver can get a new work permit from CPC Vegreville is contained in the section entitled Caregiver Responsibilities.