Canada was and still a country of immigration. In order to increase its population and to help the economy grow, Canada opens its doors to immigrants. But, unlike in the past, this time Canada doesn’t approve all requests. They only want those people who will contribute in a good economic growth of the country.

As we mentioned in previous articles the live-in caregiver program attracts attention – we can see it in everywhere, everybody wonders about it – whether it’s going to be closed, how to apply, what is the latest regulations, and how to apply for permanent residency through this program.  The program’s future is causing apprehension and might shatter the dream of immigrating to Canada.

Sheila and Janeth, are two Filipino caregivers in Canada, their stories revealed the truth about the live-in caregiver program and the reality of the permanent residency application through that program:

Sheila Calica is 38, came to Canada on October 2008 from Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines. She applied for a permanent residency on October 2011, and this is how she described her journey to Canada: “In Toronto, I found work with a family with three kids. On my third day, they were running around the house with knives in their hands, and I couldn’t control them, so I just sat down and cried. They fired me the next day. For three years after that, I worked on a farm, cleaning the house, cooking and doing laundry while the kids were at school. I made only $1,000 a month, though I put up with it because I was grateful for the opportunity” when asked about her permanent residency application this was her answer “I applied for permanent residency in October 2011, and I was told that my application would take 36 months to be processed. I thought about it all the time and counted down the days. After 36 months, I called, and they told me that my application would now take a total of 39 months to process. The uncertainty worried me constantly. Last summer, my white blood cells count went down, and I had to take two weeks off from my work. The doctor’s diagnosis was stress. I wanted to quit, but I told myself it would be hard for the kids to adjust to a new nanny. The family fired me last June. Since then I found a  part-time job in a factory and I’m hoping to find a new full-time caregiver position when my health improves. It has been 45 months since I applied for a permanent residency, and still no response”.

Janeth Melitante is 39, came to Canada on June 2012 from Sorsogon, Philippines. She applied her Permanent Residency on November 2014. This is how she described her arrival to Canada “Some nannies I met in Hong Kong told me that Canada is a good place to work. Minimum wage is $10.25; my contract stated that I’d make $1,000 per month, working six hours per day—which came out to roughly $8 per hour. But one of the families who hired me expected me to work 12 hours a day, which meant I earned about $4 per hour. It was awful. I missed my family and feared I’d made a terrible mistake. I lived in the nanny suite in the basement. An ex-boss would sometimes text me at night asking me what I was up to. He made me feel uncomfortable and I wouldn’t respond”. When asked about her permanent residency application this was her answer “My new boss is a lawyer, and she’s disgusted by the way I was treated by my former employers. I look after her three kids, aged three, five and seven, and I cook, tidy up the house and do the laundry. I haven’t considered what I’ll do if my application is rejected—I prefer not to even think about it. My friends, who do clerical work in the Philippines, make just $300 per month. It would be hard to start over at my age. My sons are 14 and 15 now. They live with my father back home. I visited them this past March and they followed me everywhere I went. When I had to leave, my eldest son took it the hardest. He cried as he hugged me goodbye and escaped to his room before I left. I miss them both so much”

If the live-in caregiver program is no longer a ‘sure’ option as it was in the past – then what is it?

The purpose of the following article is to introduce additional ways; Canada is interested in immigrants but what kind of immigrant?

The Canadian government divides migrant workers into two categories, one ‘low skilled workers’ and the other ‘high skilled worker’. They accept both kinds for temporary stay BUT, preferably they would like to have the “high skilled workers”. Workers in the live-in caregiver program, perceived by government as ‘low skilled workers’, that’s why we have witnessed difficulties in obtaining work permit as a caregiver in the live-in caregiver program and later  for the permanent residency application. But when it comes to “skilled workers” it is easier to get working permit and an immediate permanent residency is usually granted. For example: nurses, there is a significant shortage of nurses in Canada, therefore the policy towards nurses is to complete the studies (about a year) in Canada, after graduation and passing the exams the applicant will receive permanent residency immediately without having to wait.

In conclusion:

Migration to Canada is still possible both in student visa and in work permit in the live-in caregiver program. But as mentioned each options, has its advantages and disadvantages (Uncertainty on the one hand in the live-in caregiver program and a real commitment to study on the other hand). For those who wish to immigrate to Canada and have the chances of obtaining a work permit and later approval of permanent residency, the best way is to apply for as a skilled worker – make the necessary adjustments to give yourself an advantage of being a skilled worker.

In Avi- Ad training center we offer you various learning programs that help you as a caregiver get recognized as a skilled worker in the eyes of immigration authorities in Canada, For example: social service worker, community service worker, developmental service worker and more…