Working in personal care in Canada

Language

French or English depending on the province. In British Columbia, functional English is expected in most positions; in Quebec, French. A recognised language test is generally required, and its result often governs access to permanent residence routes.

What to know before considering this destination

Entry routes for work

Hiring a foreign care worker most often goes through a work permit tied to a named employer, issued after that employer has obtained a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The permit authorises work only for the employer named on it; it is temporary, and it expires. Depending on the wage, care positions fall under either the low-wage or the high-wage stream, and the employer's obligations differ between the two.

Qualifications and recognition of diplomas

Requirements vary from province to province, and this is what candidates underestimate most. Even the job title changes: préposé aux bénéficiaires in Quebec, health care assistant in British Columbia, personal support worker in Ontario. Some provinces maintain a registry of staff authorised to work in facilities. Always check the requirements of the province you are targeting, never those of « Canada » in general.

The employer's role

The employer carries most of the initial process: they must show they tried to fill the position locally, file the LMIA application and pay its non-refundable fee. For low-wage positions they must also cover round-trip transport, ensure suitable and affordable housing, and provide private health insurance until the worker becomes eligible for the provincial plan. Living in the employer's home can never be required.

Timeframes

Count in months, not weeks, and across the whole chain: local recruitment efforts, LMIA processing, then the work permit application with biometrics and a medical examination. Official processing times are published and updated by the Canadian authorities; they vary considerably depending on where the application is filed. Nobody can guarantee you one.

Costs that remain yours

Work permit application fees, biometrics, a medical examination by an approved physician, a language test, certified translations, obtaining civil status documents, and immigration representation fees. The LMIA fee is never yours: it belongs to the employer and cannot be passed on to you.

Check for yourself

• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
• Job Bank, Government of Canada
• College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants