Canadian Immigration Xperts

Improvements to the Live-in Caregiver Program

Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced on December 12, 2009  proposed regulations

• The first proposed change to the Live-in Caregiver Program eliminates the requirement for live-in caregivers to undergo a second medical examination when applying to become permanent residents,

• Another proposed change will allow live-in caregivers who work overtime to apply for permanent residence sooner. Under the new measure, live-in caregivers would be eligible to apply for permanent residence after 3,900 work hours – the equivalent of working a standard work week for two years. Also, a portion of their overtime hours could count toward the work requirement and enable caregivers to apply for permanent residence sooner. Equally important, these changes would also increase the time that live-in caregivers are allowed to complete the work requirement from three to four years.

• Additional administrative changes to the program 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.

  Employment contracts will have to spell out these employer-paid benefits. They will also have to include clauses clearly outlining job duties, hours of work, overtime and holidays, sick leave, and termination and resignation terms.
  
  For more information please read: proposed regulations