Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilot Programs

Some good news for those applying for permanent residence in Canada via Caregiver Program!

Starting June 18, 2019, the Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilot programs will be opened to accept applications.  Here's how it works:

New Pathways to Permanent Residence for Caregivers

During an event today at the Neighbourhood Organization in Toronto, Canada's Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen announced pilot programs that will allow caregivers to bring family members with them to Canada, and make it easier for them to become permanent residents.

Education Requirement for Caregiver Program: 2 years or 3 years post secondary diploma?

There seems to be a confusion regarding the education requirement for the caregiver program.  This post is for the readers who sent us message asking for clarification as well as for those who might have the same question.  Here's what the regulations say.

OEC Issuance for Direct Hired Workers, Suspended! | Canada Bound Caregiver Needs to Get OEC Through a POEA Registered Recruitment Agency

Imagine this:  You were able to find an employer who offered you a caregiver job in Canada.  You processed the visa and was approved.  You thought you can already leave for Canada only to find out that you still can't go due to new rules on OEC Issuance for Direct Hired Workers.  Not fair!

For the longest time, Filipino Caregivers bound for Canada are being issued Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) without any problem as long as they comply with the requirements.  But right now, OEC for Caregiver should be processed through a POEA Registered Recruitment Agency.

Time to Abolish Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)?

One of our FB Page readers asked us about the rules on validity of LMIA.  His visa application to work as Caregiver in Canada in Canada was approved.  However, his LMIA was already expired and his concern is if it will not be a problem.  He was extra careful now because of his experience last month - he was already at the airport bound for Canada but was not permitted to leave the Philippines because he doesn't have an OEC.

Refused Live-in Caregiver Application, Appealed and got an Interview Notice

Just got an SMS from a client  (Rwandan), who went to the interview this morning.  He is currently in the Philippines to study.

He is a Live-in Caregiver applicant.  His application was filed last year but we received a refusal letter after few months.  According to the letter, his application was refused because he doesn't have training and experience related to care giving.

That is of course not true.  He got NCII certificate from TESDA and actually finished 6 months training for Live-in Caregiver course.  While it is true that our client doesn't have paid work experience, the Live-in Caregiver program specifically states that in order to be eligible applicant must have training OR experience.

We appealed the decision and after few months, the visa office invited our client for a personal interview.   I personally prepared him for the interview and he made it!  Ok, no visa issued yet but he is almost there! The next challenge for him is to pass the SPEAK Test.

You see, you don't need a consultant to represent you for your application.  That is if you really know what you are doing.  We may not be able to guarantee approval, but we can surely help you increase chances of approval by avoiding unnecessary mistakes. 

Interested to live and work in Canada? Click here for Free Online Assessment.

Age Limit Requirement for Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP)

Is there an age limit requirement for Live-in Caregiver Program?

This is a common question I'm receiving from blog readers. The answer is NO.

If you will check the guidelines from Citizenship and Immigration Canada website, the following are only requirements listed to be eligible:

- A job confirmation letter from a Canadian employer.[A positive labor market opinion from Human Resource and Social Development Canada (HRSDC)]

- A written contract with your future employer


- Successful completion of the equivalent of Canadian secondary school. [For Filipino Applicants: You must have at least two year post high school education, in which you must have obtained at least 72 units of credit].


- At least six months’ training, or at least one year of full-time experience (including six months with one employer) during the past three years. [For Filipino Applicants: In order for your training to be recognized, it must be taken at an institution accredited by the local education authority (TESDA).It should six months with a minimum of twenty-five hours per week in classroom lectures must have been completed as part of formal education.]


- Good knowledge of English or French


- A work permit before you enter Canada

Nothing was mentioned about the age limit requirement. The employer decides the age of the worker he/she wants to hire. However, one must be realistic. You can't expect that a 50 year old LCP applicant to take care of an elderly will get an approval from the Visa Office. ;-)

Update June 18, 2019: New Caregiver Pilots.

DOLE Approval for Canada-bound Filipino Caregivers | New OEC Requirements

After the new POLO Requirements for Filipino Caregivers bound for Canada which disappointed many applicants and employers, here comes another requirement before an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) would be issued- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) approval.

According to some members of this online forum, a new rule, requiring DOLE Approval, was suddenly implemented that caused delay in issuance of their OEC. In some cases, some applicants had to rebook their flight as a result.

To be honest, I'm not sure if it's official. I can't see the circular from DOLE and POEA websites. But if some applicants actually experienced this, then it must be official. And this could mean additional fees to be paid by the applicants. Amazing, really. If this is the daang matuwid that PNoy promised, good luck to us!

Will post more details once I got the official reference.

Canada's Live-in Caregiver Program Put On Hold?

Recently, I've been receiving some emails from my blog readers asking if Citizenship and Immigration Canada actually stopped accepting Live-in Caregiver applications. Some others were asking if Live-in Caregivers can no longer apply for Permanent Residence even after completing the 2 years experience in Canada. And then this morning, I received this message from twitter.


It appears that even those with visas already are being held. Is Canada's Live-in Caregiver Program On Hold?

First, I am not aware of official policy that stops acceptance of Live-in Caregiver Program applications. In fact, just last week, we received an acknowledgement letter(File No)from the Canadian Visa Office in Manila for one of our LCP clients.

These are some of the possible reasons why a Filipino Live-in Caregiver bound for Canada may be barred from leaving:

Overeseas Employment Certificate Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) serves as the Overseas Filipino Worker's travel exit clearance at the airport and immigration counters. Without OEC, a caregiver bound for Canada or any other country will be allowed to leave the Philippines.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

POLO's New Condition for Live-in Caregivers Even if you already have the Temporary Resident Visa, you won't be allowed to leave the Philippines without the clearance from Philippine Overseas Labour Office (POLO). Your employment contract must be validated by POLO before you will be issued an OEC.

I'm still waiting for additional information regarding those cases that were held. Will update this post later.

UPDATE: DOLE Approval required before OEC issuance

Wanted: Filipino Caregiver in Vancouver

One of my blog readers in Vancouver is actively looking for a live-in caregiver for his mom. He prefers a Filipina caregiver.

If you are interested, you may email Phil (pfvancouver@yahoo.com) or contact him at 778 861-2271.

Please note that I not know him personally and this is not a paid post. Just thought I need to make that clear. :-)

Improvements to the Live-in Caregiver Program

On December 12, 2009, Citizenship and Immigration Canada proposed improvements to the Live-in Caregiver Program aiming to improve improve caregiver protections and to make the transition to permanent residence through the program easier. The proposed amendments became law on April 1, 2010. The changes include:

Expanding the time frame in which caregivers are able to complete their two years of work in order to qualify for permanent residence. Caregivers now have four years to meet the requirements where they previously had three. This offers caregivers more flexibility to deal with life’s unexpected events.

A more flexible assessment of our requirements. Caregivers who work overtime may now use it to their advantage to apply for permanent residence sooner. They may now become eligible after:

3,900 hours over a minimum of 22 months, with a maximum of 390 overtime hours; or

Two years, at regular full-time rates.

Reducing uncertainty faced by caregivers. Some caregivers have been denied permanent residence on the ground that an illness was discovered in a standard second medical examination after a caregiver had completed the requirements of the program. CIC now has the authority to assess medical admissibility in an application for permanent residence based on the medical examination administered before coming to Canada as temporary residents. This means the elimination of the second standard medical examination all live-in caregivers were required to undergo in Canada, after having completed their two years of employment.

More information about the Improvements to the Live-in Caregiver Program here. The elimination of the second standard medical examination for live-in caregivers was inspired by the story and struggle of Juana Tejada, a Filipina caregiver who died in Canada due to illness. Her application for PR Visa was refused due to medical inadmissiblity but she fought for it.

Proposed Improvements to the Live-in Caregiver Program

The proposed improvements to the Live-in Caregiver Program will be published in Canada Gazette on December 19 for a 30-day comment period open to all Canadians. Final regulatory changes in Canada's Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP) will be published after this period.

The following are the proposed significant changes:

Elimination of the requirement for live-in caregivers to undergo a second medical examination when applying to become permanent residents. Remember the late Juana Tejada? This is the result of what she had fought for.

A chance for live-in caregivers to apply for permanent residence sooner. Under the new measure, the 3,900 work hours standard work week for two years may now include a portion of overtime hours rendered by live-in caregivers.

The proposed regulations will also require employers of live-in caregivers to pay for:

* travel costs for live-in caregivers to come to Canada;
* medical insurance until live-in caregivers become eligible for provincial health coverage; and
* workplace safety insurance and any recruiting fees owed to third parties.

For more information on the Proposed Improvements to the Live-in Caregiver Program, click here.

List of Requirements: Application for Québec Acceptance Certificate for Temporary Work

If you are planning to apply for Quebec Live-in Caregiver Program, you must provide the following documents along with your Application for a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) for Temporary Work:

your most recent diploma and corresponding transcripts (secondary, post-secondary or university studies) provided by the educational institution – in the case of previous studies, a photocopy of diplomas or transcripts is acceptable

certificates of vocational training or vocational apprenticeships and corresponding transcripts, if applicable

proof of work experience (employment contracts, work certificates from employers - present and previous - pay slips or any other proof of professional experience), if applicable

a card attesting your membership in a professional order or association (particularly for nurses, midwives and teachers from the Philippines), if applicable

your birth certificate

your passport (passport pages containing photograph and identity and entries related to relevant work experience), if available

proof of knowledge of French or English, if available (TEF, TCF, IELTS or TOEFL tests).

If the documents you are providing are written in a language other than English or French, make sure to provide a translation by an officially recognized translator in your country. These documents must include the translator’s seal and signature.

Quebec Live-in Caregiver Program Application Process

Quebec's Live-in Caregiver Program is different from Federal Government's Live-in Caregiver Program.

Here's how to apply under Quebec Live-in Caregiver Program.

As an applicant, your first step is to send your application for Québec Acceptance Certificate for Temporary Work (CAQ) to Direction de l'immigration temporaire, travailleurs temporaires. Before you can do this, your employer must file an application to review his job offer for you. Wait for the notice from the Quebec Immigration. Normally, you will be given 120 days to submit your application for CAQ.

To get a CAQ, you must meet the following criteria:

Must have successfully completed 11 years of primary and secondary education.

Must have acquired at least six months’ experience in this type of work in the five years before applying for a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) OR have received at least six months’ training at a vocational school for this type of employment.

Must understand French or English and be able to express themselves orally in one of these languages.

Must have signed an employment contract with an employer in Québec.

Together with your application forms and supporting documents, you will need to send a bank draft amounting to Minister of Finance of Québec.

The next step after receiving your CAQ is to apply for work permit and Temporary Resident Visa from the Canadian Visa Office serving your country.

If you are planning to live and work in Quebec, here's Quebec Immigration Program.

The Rivera Case: A Caregiver's Fight Against Unscrupulous Recruiter

The victory of Marivic Perlas Rivera, a Filipina Caregiver, over a court battle against Winlorfely Caregiver Providers, a recruitment agency who promised her a job but wasn't able to provide her a legitimate employment upon landing in Canada, may serve as a warning to other unscrupulous recruiters.

According to this story, Marivic Rivera paid $2,800 to Winlorfely in exchange for finding an employer needed for a work permit for the Canada's Live-in Caregiver Program.

Unfortunately, the stories of exploited caregivers are common amongst those who arrive in Canada hoping to make steps towards a better life. The Star article refers to Rivera’s claims that after she was approached in Hong Kong by James’ sister-in-law Fely Felipe, she paid $2,800 to Winlorfely in exchange for finding an employer needed for a work permit for the LCP.

According to the Star, Rivera claimed that upon her arrival to Canada, James informed her she could not work for the previously indicated employer. She was housed by James at his Scarborough home, then by a Thornhill recruiter in “one room in the basement with eight other nannies in the same situation as me.” For six months, they could not provide her with legitimate employment in the LCP and a valid work permit.

Then Rivera, who had children and a husband in the Philippines dependant on her wages, went to the Canadian Coalition for In-Home Care. They helped her file the suit against the agency, which resulted in the decision in favor of Rivera issued by Judge Julie Hannaford.[Source]

If you are in similar situation or if you have relatives in similar situation, Canadian Coalition for In-Home Care could be of great help. You may also get in touch with Migrante Canada for assistance.

Marivic Rivera is due to receive $10,000 and another $300 in costs, plus interest.

Filipina Caregiver Faces Deportation

Canada's caregiver program offers permanent resident status to caregivers after they complete 24 months of live-in care within three years.

Photo Credit: Arlen Redekop, The Province

But Hesanna Santiago, a Filipina caregiver in Canada, is now facing deportation even after complying with the 24 months work experience requirement.

Part of the requirement before a permanent resident visa is issued is that the applicant and family members must undergo medical examination. Applicants actually go through two medical examinations: to enter Canada on a work permit and before permanent resident visa issuance.

This reminded me of the case of Juana Tejada, who went through similar situation. The only difference is that in the case Juana Tejada, she faced deportation due to her medical problem. In the case of Hanna Santiago, she is now facing deportation because her 12-year-old daughter was diagnosed with kidney disease.

An application for permanent resident visa may be refused if the applicant or any family member is considered medically inadmissible in Canada. However, her family may still be given permanent resident status if Citizenship and Immigration Canada grants an exception based on compassionate groundsbased on humanitarian and compassioante grounds.

Nanny Hotline for Caregivers in Ontario

Here's a good news for caregivers in Canada particularly those working in Ontario.

Ontario's Ministry of Labour set up a special "Nanny Hotline" that may be used by caregivers to seek advise on their rights under Ontario's provincial labor laws, or to report cases of abuse and exploitation.

The toll-free hotline for caregivers in Ontario is 1-866-372-3247

Caregivers in Canada may no longer apply for Permanent Resident Visa?

Are there changes in Canada's caregiver program? Rumor has it that caregivers in Canada may no longer apply for permanent resident visa even after complying with the 2-year work experience requirement. I have received and email from a reader asking about this rumor.

The truth is I'm not really sure if there's a truth in it. The first thing I did was to check the Citizenship and Immigration Canada's official website. It should be there if there are changes in the program, I supposed. And here's what I've found:

You can become a permanent resident of Canada if you have completed at least two years of employment as a live-in caregiver:

The two years must be within three years of the date you arrived in Canada. You can use an ROE or letter from your employer(s) confirming the period of time that you have worked and either a statement of earnings or T4 slips, as proof of your employment.

The two years do not include any extended time outside Canada. For example, if you leave Canada on vacation for three months, that period does not count in the two-year requirement. If you work for your employer outside Canada, for example, on a family vacation, this also will not count in the two-year requirement.

Read more about becoming a permanent resident of Canada as caregiver here.

So there. It looks like the rumor is not true. But just the same, I'll do more research and update this entry should I find changes in Canada's caregiver program.

Juana Tejada and the Live-in Caregivers' fight in Canada

The story of Juana Tejada may pave the way to the amendment of Canada's Live in Caregiver Program (LCP), particularly the two step medical screening requirement. Under this program, applicant has to pass a medical examination to get a Temporary Resident Visa/Work Permit and another test when applying for permanent residence after two years of service. Persons with medical condition that might reasonably be expected to cause excessive demands on health or social services are considered inadmissible.

On June 2003, Juana Tejada arrived in Canada as a live-in caregiver. Two years after, she filed an application for permanent residence and was granted an open work permit by the Citizenship and Immigration Canada. She was required to undergo medical screening prior to granting the permanent resident status. But it turned out that she had a stage IV colon cancer, thus, her application was refused.

This is where Juana Tejada's battle started.

Juana Tejada made an appeal citing humanitarian and compassionate consideration but was refused again. Citizenship and Immigration Canada later on acknowledged a procedural error on their part and her case was re-opened.

An online petition initiated by Mila and Oswald Magno reached the office of Prime Minister Harper and Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada.



Migrante - Ontario and the coalition that was formed to demand justice for Juana Tejada organized a picket rally in front of Citizenship and Immigration Canada's office in support of her. More pictures here.

Juana Tejada won the legal battle through the help of lawyer, Rafael Fabregas, and was granted a permanent resident status last year. She continued to advocate for the changes in the live-in caregiver program. Unfortunately, she lost the fight against cancer on March 8, 2009. She is considered a hero by her fellow live-in caregivers and other migrant workers.

The battle of caregivers and other migrant workers in Canada continues.

Live-in Caregiver Program | How to apply

Canada’s Live-in Caregiver Program is a unique program under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. It allows someone to enter Canada on a temporary work permit, and then apply from within Canada to become a permanent resident.

To qualify under the live in caregiver program, you must meet the following:

A job confirmation letter from a Canadian employer.[A positive labor market opinion from Human Resource and Social Development Canada (HRSDC)]

A written contract with your future employer

Successful completion of the equivalent of Canadian secondary school. [For Filipino Applicants: You must have at least two year post high school education, in which you must have obtained at least 72 units of credit].

At least six months’ training, or at least one year of full-time experience (including six months with one employer) during the past three years. [For Filipino Applicants: In order for your training to be recognized, it must be taken at an institution accredited by the local education authority (TESDA).It should six months with a minimum of twenty-five hours per week in classroom lectures must have been completed as part of formal education.]

Good knowledge of English or French

A work permit before you enter Canada

A job offer and a positive Labor Market Opinion is not a guarantee that you will be issued visa and work permit. You must be able to satisfy the visa officer that you meet the requirements, especially the education, training and experience. This is where most of those who apply for the program fail.

If you don't have formal caregiver training, you must have at least one year related experience. This experience must be within the last three years from the time you filed your application.

Looking for employer in Canada? Here's how to find jobs in Canada.

Application forms and complete application kit for Live-in Caregiver Program may be downloaded from http://cic.gc.ca.