Live-in caregivers in Canada to get permanent residence easier

Canada, December 15: Live-in caregivers heaved a big sigh-of-relief after following the latest announcement by Canadian immigration department to make amendments in its policies.

While speaking at Kababayan Community Centre in Toronto, Jason Kenney, Citizenship, Immigration and Multicultural Minister, briefed about the new rules which are the result of extensive consultations with the various care giver groups in Canada. 

As per the first regulation, live-in caregivers (nannies) will not be required to undergo a second medical examination in order to gain permanent residency in Canada. 

This change had been sought by the late Juana Tejada, who had developed cancer while working as a nanny in Canada and could not get permanent residency because she failed to clear the second medical examination. However, owing to ministerial intervention, Tejada got permanent residency on compassionate and humanitarian grounds. 

And the second regulation in Canadian visa rules will enable live-in caregivers working overtime in Canada to file their applications for permanent residency sooner. At present, all live-in caregivers are required to undergo a minimum of two years within a period of first three years of Canadian visa before becoming eligible to apply for permanent residency in Canada. 

So, now, live-in caregivers in Canada can apply for permanent residence once they have worked for 3,900 work hours. 

Moreover, the proposed amendments in Canadian visa rules for live-in caregivers ask for full travel costs to be borne by the employers of all such caregivers. Apart from travel costs, live-in caregivers will also get full medical insurance for provincial health coverage, safety insurance at workplace and recruiting fees owed to any third party/parties. 

The proposed regulations are an effort to ensure that live-in caregivers do not become subject to abusive situations and are saved from getting exploited by fraudulent consultants, said Kenney. Moreover, the regulations are meant to ‘help fulfill Canada’s duty’ towards those who care for the young, the disabled and the elderly people of Canada, asserted Kenney.