Most of our clients need a nanny or caregiver to start “yesterday” and timing is our prime concern.

When an Employer is fully cooperative and does not delay the communication or the requested paperwork and there no unforeseen circumstances such us changes in Canadian legislation, seasonal picks (Christmas or summer holidays period, staffing problems in the Embassy or HRSDC etc) the process can be completed within 16 weeks.

The process consists of three parts:

1. Recruitment
2. Validation of the Job offer by the HRSDC
3. Work permit application of the live in Caregiver by the Visa office

 Recruitment – 20 days

Firtsly you will need to look for the available candidates in Canada by placing advertisements in the local media. We encourage you to also place the advertisement with the Job Bank for 2 weeks to comply with the HRSDC requirement if Canadian resident or foreign nanny who is already in Canada could not be found.  While you are considering locals for the position start to interview foreign candidates as well to save time.

If you follow the right procedure the Recruitment process including 14 days advertisement period can be complete in max 20 days (including registration of the BN Payroll account and Activation of the advertisement by the SC Officer).

Validation of the Job Offer by the HRSDC – 14 -30 days

File LMO application on line and submit documents to support your claim for the need of the Foreign live in Caregiver. Follow up on your application to ensure all the documents required were received and attached to your file. If your situation is urgent and you have a sick or disabled child or adult provide supporting documents from the Doctor and a request for the process to be expedited.

From our experience if we submit the application on line and provide all required supporting documents your LMO can be issued within 2 weeks however timing is always subject to seasonal picks and the number of the applications received at the time.

Work Permit Application – 2 to 42 months.

No, it’s not a typo – the processing time of an application for a work permit may take up to 42 months (India), 12 -–24 months (Philippines), 12 – 18 months (Singapore) 6 – 8 months (Hong Kong), 1.5  – 4 months (Cyprus).

However processing time also depends on how well prepared the Work Permit application file is at the time of the submission.  If the file is not complete and requires constant exchange of correspondence between caregiver, employer and visa office to collect missing forms, documents and obtain clarifications it can double the waiting period.

Our caregivers’ applications are processed at the Canadian Embassy in Damascus (all of them live and work in Cyprus). Historically, the applications have been processed between 45 to 120 days. On rare occasions, it may take longer.

Hiring Foreign Caregiver who is already in Canada – 3 to 5 months.

You can hire a live-in caregiver who is already in Canada and has a work permit.  It’s often misrepresented by some agencies that Caregivers who are already in Canada under LICP can start working for you immediately or it will be quicker to process their work permit.

You will have to follow the same process as if you hire a Live in caregiver who is outside of Canada. You will need to advertise for 14 days, and then confirm your Job Offer by HRSDC. After that the caregiver will need to apply for a new work permit naming you as the employer. This process can take 4 to 5 month before the caregiver can start working in your home.

It is illegal for the caregiver to begin working for you without this permit. You cannot hire a caregiver on a trial

basis to find out if they are suitable. It is a crime to employ a worker who is not authorized by CIC!!!!!