The Employment Authorization

An employment authorization from a Canadian visa office will allow you to work in Canada as a live-in caregiver. The employment authorization is usually valid for one year. Make sure you renew your employment authorization before it expires. It is now possible to do this by mail through the Canada Immigration Centre. You will need a letter from your employer stating that your job as a live-in caregiver is being offered for another year. Include this letter in your application to renew your employment authorization. Remember that the document authorizes you to work only for the employer named on the employment authorization. However, this does not mean you cannot change employers for personal or other reasons. If that is the case, you must apply for and have received a new employment authorization before you go to work for the new employer. Both you and your employer should be aware that you are free to change employers while in Canada. Immigration Canada will not deport you for looking for another place to work.

Involvement in any illegal activity could result in the cancellation of your permission to work in Canada. You cannot, for example, work for any employer except the employer named on your employment authorization. Furthermore, you cannot accept employment except as a live-in caregiver nor can you work for a new employer, even for a "trial period," until you have a new employment authorization.

Open Employment

Once you have received a favourable assessment on your application for permanent resident status, you may apply for an open employment authorization. This will allow you to take any job you wish until you are granted permanent resident status. You will not receive your permanent resident status immediately. Normally, there are many people applying for permanent residence in Canada at any given time, and you must wait your turn.

Family Members

All your dependants can be included in your application for permanent residence and they can obtain their permanent resident status at the same time as you. Your dependants abroad will be processed for permanent residence at the visa office in their country of residence, and they will not be issued their immigrant visas until you have received yours, provided that the entire family passes medical and criminal screening and all other requirements are met. All your dependants must pass medical and background checks even if they are not applying to join you in Canada right away. You cannot be granted permanent resident status until all your dependants have passed their medical and background checks.