Canada
Canada does not offer an official au pair program, however, au pairs can legally work in the country under the Live-In Caregiver Program. The Live-in Caregiver Program is a special program to bring workers to Canada for live-in work as caregivers when there are not enough Canadians to fill the available positions. A "live-in caregiver" is someone who provides unsupervised care of children, the elderly or the disabled in a private household.
To enter this programme, an au pair
must:
- Have successfully completed the equivalent of a Canadian high school education
- Have six months of full-time training in a classroom setting or twelve months of full-time paid employment, including at least six months of continuous employment with one employer in a field or occupation related to the job he/she is seeking as a live-in caregiver.
- Be able to speak, read and understand either English or French at a level that allows you to work independently in a home setting. For example, it is important for you, as a caregiver, to be able to contact emergency services if required and to understand labels on medication
In order for an au pair to be allowed to work in Canada as a live-in caregiver, a prospective employer will submit a request to hire an au pair to a Human Resources Centre Canada (HRCC). Once the HRCC has confirmed the job an au pair can begin applying for a work permit. If their application is successful, the work permit is valid for one year and can be renewed if an au pair provides proof that their host family is offering them another year of employment. After two years of employment, program participants can apply in Canada to become permanent residents; they may be granted permanent resident status provided they meet certain requirements. Note: the two years of employment must be completed within three years of the caregiver's arrival in Canada.
Additional information on temporary work in Canada is available here:
Requirements for Temporary Work in Canada in English
Requirements for Temporary Work in Canada in French
Who can apply as a Foreign Caregiver?
Australia / Austria / Belgium / Canada / Denmark / France / Germany / Ireland / Italy
Netherlands / New Zealand / Norway / Spain / Sweden / Switzerland / UK / USA
