Canada Caregiver Program LCP
Canada Caregivers must meet the following initial selection criteria to be able to apply in the Caregiver program. They must have:
- completed an education equal to that of a Canadian secondary school diploma,
- at least
- six months of full-time classroom training in caregiving or one year of work experience as a caregiver or in a related job within the last three years (including at least six months of ongoing work with one employer),
- the ability to speak, read and understand English or French, so that they can work on their own without being supervised,
- medical, security and criminal clearances, and
- be in receipt of a valid job offer from an employer who has received a positive LMIA
The new Caregiver Program was formally known as the Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP) and enables Canadian employers to hire foreign caregivers (nannies) to live and work in their homes to provide childcare or home support for seniors or people with disabilities After two years working, caregivers can apply for permanent residence. Most notably, CIC has ended the live-in requirement unless there is an agreement between the employer and caregiver for living in the home
The new Caregiver Program has two distinct pathways. The number of applications through each of the 2 distinct programs each year will be capped at 2,750 principal applicants. Spouses and dependants will not be counted against the cap.
Caring for Children Pathway
Requirements:
- two years of full-time work experience in Canada as a home child care provider within the past four years;
- a minimum language requirement of “initial intermediate” by meeting Canadian Language Benchmark 5 in a designated third-party language test; and
- a Canadian post-secondary education credential of at least one year, or an equivalent foreign credential supported by an Educational Credential Assessment.
Caring for People with High Medical Needs Pathway
This pathway is for caregivers who provide support to those with high medical needs, and some criteria closely match the former LCP requirements. The requirements include:
- two years of full-time work experience in Canada providing in-home care or care in a health facility to the elderly or persons with disabilities or chronic disease: for example, a registered nurse, a registered psychiatric nurse, a licensed practical nurse, a nurse aide, a patient service associate or a home support worker;
- demonstrating that they are licensed to practice in Canada, if applicable;
- a minimum language requirement of “intermediate” by meeting Canadian Language Benchmark 7 in a designated third-party language test, if applying as a registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse;
- a minimum language requirement of “initial intermediate” by meeting Canadian Language Benchmark 5 in a designated third-party language test, if applying in any other qualifying occupation; and
- a Canadian post-secondary education credential of at least one year, or an equivalent foreign credential supported by an Educational Credential Assessment.
LMIA requirements for the Employer of Caregiver – Nanny
Employers will be required to apply for and receive a positive LMIA prior to the Caregiver being eligible to apply for a Work Permit under this program.
You will need to demonstrate that:
- you made an effort to hire a Canadian by applying for an LMIA through ESDC
- you have sufficient financial means to support a caregiver
- if they are living in, that your home has appropriate space
- made a job offer that meets the acceptable guidelines
If you are an employer or Caregiver interested in applying for your first LMIA, extending an existing work permit, or applying for permanent residence, we are here to help. Please call or email us for a consultation.

Here is a small selection from our many thank-you letters.
Before I submitted the permanent residency sponsorship application for my partner, I had always assumed that people who held positions of authority in embassies would be subject to a code of honesty and fairness. As a lawyer I have an expectation that those who have legal authority and who hold the public trust should meet these minimum requirements. I assumed all I needed to do was make sure all the application paperwork was in order, accurate and on time and we’d be good to go (we had a strong case: a 3-1/2 year relationship complete with joint property ownership, joint bank accounts, family and friends testimonials, and so on). I felt once the consulate staff who reviewed our file saw everything, there would be no doubt we would meet the criteria for sponsorship approval. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I attended the interview and was brought in separately, after my partner. I will never forget the open hostility, disdain and prejudice that I was subjected to (and as I found out afterward, my partner as well). I was filled with rage, but also disbelief as I couldn’t believe this could happen, no less under the authority of the Canadian government.
Our file, strong or not, simply didn’t matter to the interviewer, as her mind was already made up against us. I know that if we didn’t have Ferreira-Wells working for us and on our side we would have failed. Each one of their team played a role in turning this dreadful situation around, and quickly. First, we benefitted from detail and care put into our application and file by Claudia and Gus. No objective person could dismiss it as anything less than a rock-solid file. Second, we received direction and advice from Bruce that proved to be critical (how to deal with the interview, and what to do in case things didn’t go well). Third, and something for which we will be forever grateful, we had the support, care and concern of David. After we left the embassy we contacted Ferreira-Wells and they immediately sprung into action. Although we were over 10 hours ahead of Toronto time, we were getting emails from David at what was his 2:30 a.m. and on through the early morning hours and into the next day. He drafted a plan and response that within 18 hours turned everything around. If it weren’t for this dedication to our case, and if not for the experience and expertise that the Ferreira-Wells team possessed, it would not have been possible to have what happened occur. The embassy would have ignored our protests, but they couldn’t ignore David because he knew what to say and who to say it to. As I write this my partner, now my husband, is sitting a few feet away from me smiling. Thank you, Ferreira-Wells.
KK & CS, Toronto