How To Apply For Permanent Residence In Canada Under Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP)

For Filipino live-in caregivers the application for open work permit is a way to explore other opportunities in Canada. And this period also means a chance of reuniting with their family from the Philippines through the application of permanent residence.

Both applications can be submitted at the same time.

6 Steps: Apply for Permanent Residence in Canada Through Live-in Caregiver Program

I suggest you to follow the six steps in order. You can also click any of the following links to jump to any steps you like to read. Jump but make sure to read all of the steps (even in random).

1. Find out if you are qualified.
2. Gather all the forms.
3. Gather All the Requirements.
4. Pay the Fee.
5. Send the Application.
6. Prepare for more.

Let’s walk into each step and know the details.

Step 1: Find Out if You are Qualified to Apply for Permanent Residence in Canada

Ask yourself: “How long have I been working?”

You can qualify for permanent residence if you’ve been working for at least 24 months or 3,900 hours. You should meet the duration of work requirement within four years with a valid work permit.

As a live-in caregiver with valid work permit, within this period, you can look after children, disabled, or seniors.

Did you fit the qualifications?

(Is that a yes? I thought so.)

Meeting the qualifications brings you closer to the benefits of becoming a permanent resident:

• Apply for Canadian citizenship (lived in Canada at least three four years out of four six years prior to application. Minimum of two years as permanent resident.)
• Eligible for social benefits
• Live, work, or study anywhere in Canada
• Avail the protection under Canadian Law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Are you motivated even more to apply for permanent residence in Canada under the live-in caregiver program?

Then it’s time to do some works—paper works to be exact.

Step 2: Gather All the Forms

For Filipino live-in caregivers who are sponsoring their spouse and children from the Philippines you’ll face tons of papers to fill out.

(Singles are not exempted. It only means less paper. Now that should cheer you up.)

Start early and learn the tips which are similar for the application of open work permit.

Typically you will only need to submit the following Application Forms for permanent residence for Live-in Caregivers:

1. Document Checklist (IMM 5282)
2. Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)
3. Additional Dependants/Declaration (IMM 008DEP)
4. Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)
5. Additional Family Information (IMM 5406)
6. Live-in Caregiver – Employer Declaration of Hours Worked (IMM 5634)

On Citizenship and Immigration Canada website you can see the complete list of forms.

But before you download the form you’ll have to let your tech-savvy personality does a little bit of work.

Tips in Downloading the Requirements:

• Download the latest Adobe Reader X1. You don’t have to install McAfee Security Scan Plus.
• Turn on JavaScript on your browser (Mozilla, Google Chrome etc).
• To quickly save the form, right click the link and choose “Save Link As…” option.

Can’t see the content of the form? Download the form and right click > open with > Adobe Reader.

Tips in Filling Out the Application Form:

• Print the forms and fill out legibly. (I hope you are not like me asking somebody else to read my handwriting.) Use red and black pens. Or whatever color you like as long as it sends out the message: for revision and clarification.

• Read the Instruction Guide (IMM 5290) before completing the forms.

• Save the form as you make changes. Validate and save Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008) once you’re done. Do not worry. You can still edit and save the form as often as you wish.

When in doubt, it is always best to get first-hand information.

You can call the Citizenship and Immigration Canada for all your queries. Be patient though. Stay on the line, wait for your turn. It may take some time to get a hold of an operator depending on the day and number of callers.

Step 3: Gather All the Requirements

All the requirements for the application depend on the eligible employment: option 1 (24 months) or option 2 (3,900 hours).

Common Requirements:

1. Contracts with current and previous employers
2. T4 Statement of Remuneration Paid
3. All “Notice of Assessment” while under the LCP
4. ROE for previous employers
5. Receipt form or Internet Receipt (payment done online)
6. Police certificate (Canada), NBI Certificate (principal applicant and family members), and police certificates from other countries
7. Photocopies of valid passport pages (principal applicant and family members)
8. Two passport-size photos (principal applicant and family members)

The employee and employer will have to work together in getting all the requirements. Ask your employer early on. And while waiting, you should start the six steps in applying for permanent residence for live-in caregiver.

Allocate enough time to gather the requirements coming from your employer, yourself, and family members from the Philippines.

Avoid rushing. Be considerate.

The challenging part is getting a police clearance/certificate for your family members who are 18 years of age and yourself in countries where residence occurred for more than six months in the past 10 years.

As for you, the principal applicant, you will have to get a police clearance in Canada, NBI clearance, and wherever else you lived (with the same aforementioned condition).

(I can almost hear you now screaming.)

Calm down.

Recall the lyrics of a song: “. . . that’s what friends are for . . . .”

Call your friends. Make a connection—again. If you’ve been busy to even send an email or text a message, now is the best time to catch up—ask for a huge favor.

Never ever demand.

Step 4: Pay the Fee

You can choose from the two ways of paying the fee whichever offers convenience:

1. Pay online. It is the fastest and more convenient way because you can easily print the receipt.
2. Update: You can NO longer pay through a financial institution in Canada. First, you have to request for original receipt online. The receipt will be mailed to you. Second, use the receipt in paying to the bank or wire service. You will get a copy to be sent with the application.

Step 5: Send the Application for Permanent Residence (from Within Canada)

After downloading the forms, contacting your family, and writing the information here comes the equally crucial part: reviewing.

Nobody wants to review documents again and again.

Not you.

Because you are qualified to apply for permanent residence in Canada as a live-in caregiver you have to ensure every detail is correct. (Don’t interchange birthdays or worst entirely forget.)

Check till you cannot spot any typos. Typo-free, fact-proof documents equals successful submission of application.

But before you send the application, have a photocopy of all the forms and documents.

And remember you can submit the application for permanent residence together with the application for open work permit.

Two applications for the price of one.

Step 6: Prepare . . . to Wait

This is the final step every caregiver is waiting for: looking at the photocopy of the sent documents, the ever-reminder of hard work and anticipated family reunion.

Keep it (and don’t forget about it).

It’s time to celebrate and relax—while you still can.

(Sorry for spoiling the celebration.)

After receiving confirmation letter from Citizenship and Immigration Canada here comes the quiet season—waiting.

But don’t just sit around. Keep yourself busy:

• Check application status: permanent residence from within Canada
• Change your address online
• Check processing times
• Processing times: Permanent Resident Card

The next letters you’ll receive will keep you busy again—and closer to your goal. And most importantly find out what it’s like to go to a permanent residence interview.

Is it too much work?

Not if you want to permanently stay in Canada together with your family.

Take a deep breath.

Avoid being overwhelmed; plan and follow the timeline.

The clock is ticking.

This post is almost done but I have one more question. Be honest.

How are you doing so far with the application?

If you need more information, you read more latest post about caregivers in Canada or have a look at the following post.

Related Post:

• Find All The Philippine Embassy and Consulate in Canada
• Philippine Consular Outreach Program
• LATEST: Philippine Consular Outreach Schedule
• How to Renew Philippine Passport in Canada
• How to Renew a Passport in the Philippines
• How to Renew Philippine Passport in Vancouver
• How to Renew Philippine Passport in Calgary
• How to Get NBI Clearance from Canada
• How to Get NBI Clearance in Calgary
• How to Apply for Police Certificate in Canada

Good luck to your application. You are welcome to go back to this post any time.

If you have more questions ask by commenting. I’ll gladly give (based on my experience) or look for the (best) answer.

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