Step One:

• Have a family member who requires personal care.
• Have sufficient space to house a Caregiver in the home of the individual needing care.
• Attempt to hire or train Canadians or permanent residents of Canada.
• If unsuccessful, locate a suitable foreign national.
• Sign a formal employment agreement with the foreign national.
• Send the appropriate application form and agreement to Service Canada/Human Resources and Skill Development Canada. The forms can be found at this website.
• Provide evidence (for example: copies of ads) showing that they tried to hire Canadians but were unsuccessful.
• Demonstrate that wages and working conditions offered are consistent with what Canadians receive when doing this kind of work.
• Demonstrate that the job requirements are usual for the occupation.
• Formally declare that there is not a labour dispute in progress at the employer’s firm.

Step Two: Send approval letter

If the application is approved by Service Canada/Human Resources and Skill Development Canada, employers must:

• Send foreign national a copy of Service Canada/Human Resources and Skill Development Canada’s approval letter (called a confirmation) and advise him/her to apply for work permit and any other needed documents at a Canadian Consulate, Embassy or High Commission. A list of them are can be found at this website.

Step Three: Proof of sufficient funds

• Citizenship and Immigration Canada may contact the employer. The employer may be required to demonstrate that there are sufficient funds to pay the foreign national

Step Four: Permits, S.I.N., provide a room

If Citizenship and Immigration Canada approves the foreign national’s work permit application, employers must:

• When foreign national arrives, view the work permits to ensure that the terms andconditions listed will allow him/her to begin work.
• Ensure foreign national obtains Social Insurance Numbers (SIN’s). If he/she already holds a SIN ensure that it has been updated.
• Adhere to: terms and conditions under which foreign national was hired; terms and conditions on work permit and; terms and conditions of employment contract.
• In the home of the individual needing care, provide the foreign national a private, furnished room.

Step Five: Extending stay

• If employer wishes to extend the foreign national’s stay, at least one month prior to the expiry date of the current work permit, the foreign national must apply directly to Citizenship and Immigration Canada for a new work permit.
• Once the new work permit arrives, the employer must view it to ensure that terms and conditions allow the foreign national to continue working.
• The employer must also ensure that the foreign national updates his/her SIN.

Step One: Job offer, qualifications

• Be offered a job as a Caregiver who will be living in the employer’s home.
• Have the skills, education and experience needed for the job.
• Have signed an employment contract with the Canadian employer.
• Have a copy of Service Canada/Human Resources and Skill Development Canada’s approval letter (that the Canadian employer sent).
• Have a current, valid passport. (US citizens require only a birth certificate)
• Be in good health.
• Be able to speak English or French.

Step Two: Apply

• Send the appropriate application form, application fee and signed employment contract to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
• Include a copy of Service Canada/Human Resources and Skill Development Canada’s approval letter.

Step Three: Documentation

• At the time that Citizenship and Immigration Canada asks for them, provide any other documents required. (Such things as police certification, proof of education and proof of employment history will be requested at some point during Immigration’s assessment of the foreign national’s application).
• When Citizenship and Immigration Canada asks the foreign national to do so, the foreign national will be required to have an in-person interview and a medical examination. He/she will be given instructions about these two requirements.
• Foreign nationals may also need to apply for other documents such as a travel permit, exit visa, temporary resident visa etc. (For further information, consult the nearest Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Consulate, Embassy or High Commission for advice, which can be found here.