Related Post: What does the new caregiver applicants should DO about the changes in the LCP.
Update: 2 pathways for caregivers will end on November 29, 2019. Submit the permanent residency application before the date.
Ever since I joined expat online communities and had interviews, I’ve been receiving emails and messages on Facebook on how to apply as caregiver in Canada from the Philippines.
I’ve given answers, short ones when you compare it to the colossal topic of working overseas. As promised I’m setting free this post out in the wide, wild blogosphere.
What’s in it for you?
- You will have a preview of the process on how to become a live-in caregiver in Canada by applying from the Philippines.
- The future employee (that’s you) and employer (somewhere in Canada) will have a glimpse of the long process.
- You will get all the useful information based on research and my experience and from other kababayan.
If you find something lacking or misleading, get my attention. Really. Leave a comment.
You will discover my journey and lessons from being a student aiming for a live-in caregiver certificate to landing a caregiver job in Canada.
So let’s start your future by travelling in my past based on geography and chronology.
How to Apply as Caregiver in Canada from the Philippines
Note: Caregiver applicants from the Philippines will need an AGENCY to assist in the application to work in Canada.
The first step in landing a caregiver job for Filipinos is to meet all the qualifications:
- Do you have proof of successful completion of secondary education equivalent to Canadian high school education? It is equivalent to the completion of high school plus at least two years of post-secondary education (with at least 72 credits) in Canada.
- Do you have a certificate from TESDA accredited school for caregivers? Or if you are applying based on experience, did you meet the requirements of twelve months of full-time paid employment (at least six months employed by the same employer)?
- Can you speak, read, and understand either English or French, the official languages of all federal government institutions in Canada?
- Do you have a written employment contract between you and your future employer?
- Do you have a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) formerly known as Labour Market Opinion (LMO)?
Related Post: How much is the caregiver salary in Canada?
Also take note of the following changes since November 30, 2014:
- Living in the employer’s residence is not required.
- Two new pathways are created for the application of permanent residence: caring for children and caring for people with high medical needs in addition to the current Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP).
Note: If you fail to comply with the requirements, your application can be DENIED. I know a few who took caregiver course twice because of insufficient classroom or on-the-job training hours.
Did you meet all the requirements or still working on your certificate?
Finding Caregiver Jobs in Canada
I was asked a lot about this topic.
I have to be honest: this is the most challenging part if you want to apply as caregiver in Canada from the Philippines.
You must be able to find an employer who is willing to do all the paperwork and wait for you to arrive in Canada.
So who do you ask for help?
Some of the Filipino caregivers were employed by their relatives or someone known through referral of a family friend. And while waiting, the future employer can temporarily hire someone or start the application to prepare for the impending resignation of the current caregiver.
1st Option: If you don’t know anybody, check the Job Bank of Canada:
- Employers post in the job bank (not mandatory) as part of the requirements in hiring a temporary foreign worker or permanent resident.
- Employers are encouraged to post in other online job directory (such as Indeed and Workopolis) and classified ads of local newspaper.
2nd Option: Look for a caregiver agency in the Philippines.
The Citizenship and Immigration Canada do not require any applicant to seek help through agency. If you choose to find an employer in Canada through an agency do your homework.
Let’s assume you are qualified (of course you will be).
Next stop is to learn how to submit the application for work permit and visa to become a caregiver in Canada.
Apply for Work Permit in Canada from the Philippines
There are two ways to apply for work permit:
- You can submit the application online for temporary work permit. You will have to answer questions to determine if you are eligible to apply online. This will take a lot of time in completing and require a technical skill and gadgets (printer, scanner and photo editor). Can’t do it on your own? Call a friend. Or friend of a friend.
- You can submit the application on paper. This is way much straightforward and convenient for some. The Instruction Guide (IMM 5487) is a must-read to apply on paper.
Related Post:
Renew passport in the Philippines
Renew Philippine Passport in Canada
Overview of application forms:
- Document Checklist (IMM 5488)
- Visa office instructions – Work permit (IMM 5917)
- Application for Work Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM 1295)
- Family Information (IMM 5465)
- Schedule 1 – Application for Temporary Resident Visa (IMM 5257 – Schedule 1)
- Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5409)
- Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) if applicable
Other requirements for temporary work permit:
- Fee payment in acceptable format (biometrics fee is not required)
- Employment contract
- Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) formerly called Labour Market Opinion (LMO) since June 2014
- Original valid passport along with the copy of the passport bio-data page
- Two photos (meeting the Visa application photograph specifications)
- Evidence of meeting the job offer:
- Original records of education
- Records of training (applying based on training): caregiving certificate from the TESDA accredited school, on-the-job training certificate, and National Certificate II in Caregiving (exam/assessment of your knowledge in caregiving)
- Records of employment (applying based on experience)
- Letters of reference (past and present employers)
- NBI certificate (original copy)
- Police certificate (for applicants 18 years old or older) in countries where you resided for 6 months or longer in the past 10 years
- Additional documents required by the visa office
Note: IELTS is not indicated as a requirement for English proficiency. If you were required to take it as part of the qualification, can you leave a comment to inform other applicants.
If applicable submit the following as well:
- Certificat d’Acceptation du Québec (CAQ)
- Police Certificate from any foreign country
- Authority to Release Personal Information (IMM5475)
Read carefully the checklist and instruction guide for the application for a work permit as a caregiver since a lot have changed throughout the years. You can ask a friend living in Canada already because you can’t leave any unturned stones.
Details are important. And it keeps on changing.
Note: whether you are going to submit original or photo copy. Submit the application prior to the expiration of LMIA.
If you are wondering, I submitted my application for work permit along with the application for the Temporary Resident Visa (TVR) through courier ages ago. If online application is possible back then, I’ll definitely rely on the Internet; it is faster and convenient.
So what is a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) and why do you need one?
Read more on How to Apply as Caregiver in Canada from the Philippines (Part 2).
Hi po pwede po ba maging caregiver ang lalaki sa Canada? Graduate po ako ng Bachelor in Hotel Restaurant Services and Technology at ngayon ay nagtratrabaho sa cruise ship. Ask ko lang po kasi balak kung magaral ng caregiver sa atin paguwi ko. At naghahire pa din po ba ng LIC ngayon. Thank you po and God bless.
Hi John to answer your question I hope you can take the time to read the post about the closure of the Live-in Caregiver Program.
I got rejected also, they said i did not meet the requirements of my prospective employments.. I finish caregiving.course with tesda ncII, first aid training, ielts…
And yet they still refused my visa..
Yeah, feel free to add it so that everyone can have access to the few infos I can share. To all my fellow applicants please take the IELTS exam even though its not part of the requirements it is highly suggested by previous applicants especially speak test is not included on the process anymore. Make sure all your requirements and documents are ready before you submit your application. Put extra effort on including supporting documents that will help your application. I want everyone to be ready and hopefully avoid the rejection that I’ve been through. Good luck and God Bless!
Hello po,ask ko lang kung pwede ba cross country from Taiwan to Canada? At need po ba talaga nung IELTS? SALAMAT PO SA TUTUGON..
I think the question should be more about the qualification and not the current location of the applicant.
I highly suggest for new applicants not to submit yet their application, instead get more experience and take ielts even its not part of the requirements. My application just got rejected a few days ago without providing specific reason. They just said that my experience doesn’t meet their requirements which is very odd since I just finished my caregiving course a few mos ago with TESDA certification II so I was really saddened by the news and was so upset about that outcome. There are a lot of rumors about LCP applications which is somehow smells something fishy. FYI I was able to submit my application few days before they announced the closure of LCP applications.
Thanks for sharing your experience Sam. Your feedback will help the future applicants in weighing the pros and cons of applying as a caregiver in Canada. May you find the best way to pursue your goal. With your permission I would also like to add your comment in the this post Live-in Cargiver is Closed for New Applicants.
Yes that is one of the requirements, you must speak English or french…
Hi Ms. Carolyn,
I’m planning to lodge my papers at vfs global. But I’m scared with the changes: Live in caregiver is closed. Please help me understand the new rule pls pls pls.
I’m also curious about the effect of the changes in the Live-in Caregiver Program that I wrote a blog post about it. Let me know what you think.
Hi,
Just want to share, this is just 3 days ago. I read about a new update about Live-in Caregiver Program and it is closed to new applicants. You have to apply for a regular work permit.
Thanks for the update Mai. I’ll update the blog.
hi there… can a houseself/ yaya apply as a live in caregiver in canada? the set up is my colleague who is an american will be moving to canada with his family who was originally residing here. so they are planning to bring his kids yaya to canada. do you have any information on how to go about this?
would mean so much to hear from you.
Thanks,.
Hi Kath. I don’t have a knowledge regarding the transition of work from US to Canada. It is best to ask the assistance of immigration consultant but I would appreciate if you could share the outcome so that others will be informed.
i just want to ask if its required to take the speak test??
I cannot confirm the information but some of the readers said that the speak test was replaced with IELTS exam. The best way to get first-hand information is through the caregiver schools since they are up-to-date with the regulations and requirements specifically for caregivers applying from the Philippines. Mimilanie, if you get an information about the speak test, can you share it here on the blog. Thanks! 🙂
Hi good day. I am a registered nurse. and i’m planning to apply as a live-in caregiver in Canada. My sister is in Canada and she’ll be my employer if she’ll pass the LMIA something. I don’t have a hospital experience, however i was a private nurse- child care for almost a month. Just wanna know if will t require me an Income Tax Return from my employer here in the Philippines? and enough na po ba ung Certificate of Employment (COE) with SSS/PhilHealth/Pag-ibig as supporting documents? d po kc ako nkapagfile/register sa BIR last year..
hoping for an answer. thank you.
Hi She. I suggest you to check the requirements for work experience since from what I can remember it has to be more than a month. The checklist is mentioned in the post.
Nag enroll ako sa 9.0 EILTS Review Center kasi requirement na daw sya ngayon as replacements for speak test. But up to now I’m not really sure sana nga hindi na..
Marjorie, thanks for the info. I’ll find out more about this change.
Hi ako din, just signed my contract.. pero sabi ng school wala na daw yung speak, ang kailngan ko daw gawin mga review para ielts
Hello po. If high school graduate po ako. Then ng aral ako ng Caregiver dito sa Singapore for 1 year. 72 units sya. At meron akong diploma “Specialist Diploma in Caregiving” qualified kaya ako? Thank u po..
Hi Elaine. I don’t know how the processing works for caregiver applicants in Singapore so I would suggest you to contact the CIC or the VFS Global in Singapore.
Thanks for all the information you have provided here. I’m planning to sponsor my sister as a caregiver for my 2 kids. She only finished 2 years in college in the Philippines (which is an associate graduate.. not really sure what that means). Is it equivalent to Grade 11 of Education in Canada?
If 2 years in college is indeed equivalent to Grade 11 in Canada, can she take a “Hongkong route” and apply as a DH there to gain experience, skipping the caregiver training, and apply as a caregiver in Hongkong based on some other people’s experience that applying in Hongkong has a quicker processing times compared to Philippines.
Appreciate your reply.
I’ve known some caregivers who were able to work in Canada as a caregiver coming from Hong Kong. Maybe the experience working in Hong Kong is a way of meeting one of the qualifications compare to caregivers coming from the Philippines. I also don’t know why the processing is faster. So to sum it up, it is possible for her to apply but you also have to check the qualifications of the employer who has to get LMIA first. Good luck to your family Eric!
hi maam, tanong ko lang po if necessary ba ang IELTS sa live in caregiver sa canada?
Hi Michelle, I can’t seemed to find any information mentioning IELTS as a proof of English proficiency. Since the caregiver application in the Philippines is submitted through VFS Global, why not inquire about the education requirements in this office. I’ve just thought about it. I hope you can let us know the result as a lot of Filipinos are also asking about it.
Hi po, i graduated as bsn and passed the board exam, after 2 years i took up let and passed it po right now i am currently working as a school nurse po i am wondering if kailangan ko pa po magtrain ng caregiver for 6 months or qualified na po ako? Thank u po
Jennifer you can apply based on the years of experience since you are already a BSN graduate. You can refer to the blog post for the complete details of qualifications.
Hi Mam, may age limit po ba ang caregiver sa canada?
Hi Daine. Age limit is not mentioned in the requirements from what I can remember. And even working here in Canada, not as a caregiver anymore, I was never asked about my age. The Canadian work ethics, in my observation, is focused on the qualification of a person giving equal opportunity to everyone regardless of age, nationality, or religion. Looking back, I also remember that while studying for a caregiver certificate, I had classmates in their 40s and 50s. Some are already working in Canada; others ventured to something else. I hope that answers your question.
Hello po, mgtatanong lg po sana ako. Meron na po akong employer sa Canada at magtatapos na rin po ako ng 6 month Caregiving at 4 yr.graduate din po. Problem ko po is wala po akong work experience as a nanny dito sa Pinas at wala rin po SSS. Eto lg po talaga ang Cert.ko sa TESDA. So yun nga, baka po ma deny. Kaya po yung problem ko ngayon is kung mgproprocess ako through cross country or itutuloy ko ito na dito lg mg process khit walang work experience. Salamat po. God Bless😊
Verlyn you can refer to the link in the post ”Determine your eligibility – Live-in caregivers” for the school and training requirements. And here’s also a reminder: you also have to take the exam for TESDA NC II Certificate. I think you’re acquiring the requirements one at a time. That’s great. 🙂 When it comes to the result of the application, well, it’s up to the authority to decide. For applicants trying is better than wondering. Just a thought. Good luck!
Hi, would like to inquire regarding schools offer caregiving/caregiver courses that are accredited with TESDA in mindanao particularly Zamboanga City. Are these schools accredited with Canadian Embassy/CIC/Canadian Employer’s?
Hi Liezl, the link for the accredited schools is on the blog post. The Canadian embassy has no jurisdiction over the schools offering caregiver course. TESDA is in charged of the accreditation including the NC II Certification.
hello po..tanong lang ako me eployer na po ako sa canada pinsan ko lng din po..necessary pa po ba e update ko ung caregiving certificate ko sa school kasi 2007 pa ako natapos.kaso ngayon lng inaasikaso ng pinsan ko.at need din po ba ung nc2 certificate?kasi wala pa ako nun.pero completo na ako sa school certificates kaso 2007 pa.plsss give me info po.
The NC II Certificate is required for all who completed a caregiving certificate from a TESDA accredited school. Since you’ve graduated in 2007 and NO NC II Certification is established at that time it would be best to confirm it on TESDA. Make a phone call. If it is required, you may also ask the accredited testing center. You will have to review for the verbal and hands-on exam. How about your employer in Canada? Has she/he met all the requirements? Do you have an LMIA already?
Yes Mis. Carolyn thank you din….I will keep this blog updated….it’s possible po talaga with prayers and hard work marami na rin pong ibang pinoy caregivers ang nakakita Canadian employers thru direct hire…..you do not need to look for or use an agency….Good luck din po sa lahat…..God bless..
Prayer works … with hard work!
Apply or gawa po kayo ng profile sa greataupair or email ninyo po yung mga employers na naghahanap ng caregivers sa job bank Canada …tiyagaan lang po talaga….umabot din po sa hundreds yung pag email ko sa prospective employers bago ako nakahanap ng employer …pero nakakita po ako ng employer thru greataupair…technique na ginawa ko is .click ko yung favorite every profile ng canadian families na naghahanap ng caregiver para mapansin ang profile ko…then thank God after 15 days I found my employer…tiyagaan lang talaga…you can also read yung pinoy caregiver Canada thread para makakuha ng tips on how to find an Canadian employer and paano rin yung process…Good luck po sa lahat…God bless us all…
Hi Cristy. Thanks for your tips for our kababayan. Your story is inspiring and proves that perseverance and patience can make things possible. I hope you keep us updated. And if you have any question, you are always welcome here on the blog. Good luck to your journey to Canada! 🙂
Hi po! May alam po ba kayo na agency dto sa pilipinas na makaktulong? Sbi lang kasi skin pwede dn ako mag agency kung nahihirapan relative ko sa canada na mghanap ng employer ko. Madmi daw may gusto n mag hire kaso lang hindi sila qualified dhil na dn sa maliit lang sahod. Thanks in advance.
Hi Rica Joy. I’m not aware of any agency but I guess it’s about time to research about it. Check the blog for future agency-related post.
Good day, everyone! Can I apply for a working permit to Canada from the Philippines while I’m still waiting for my caregiver diploma to be released by my school? Can I just present a letter as a proof that I am done with school and just waiting for the diploma to be issued? TIA! 🙂
Hi, Grace. I don’t think you can because you have to submit a complete applications. You still have to authenticate your diploma if I’m not mistaken even your college transcript and diploma. While waiting you can complete the other requirements such as the application forms. Let me know how things went. Good luck!
Hi,
May i know how did u find your employer? Is it through the net or agency?
Thanks:)
Through a relative. As long as the employer is qualified it wouldn’t matter that much whether you are hired through an agency or not.
Hi,
Qualified po High school graduate lng natapos at 6months caregiver traing course? Thanks
“Do you have proof of successful completion of secondary education equivalent to Canadian high school education? It is equivalent to the completion of high school plus at least two years of post-secondary education (two years in college/university in the Philippines = 72 credits in Canada).”
So 4 years in high school + 2 years (at least) in college (PHILIPPINES) = completion of high school (CANADA). I’m curious about your school Yzel. They should have let you know about it; advice you not to take a caregiver course unless you meet the qualification. I’m not aware of any alternatives though.