Visa Regulations

Au pair requirements for Canada

This document is provided for guidance only. Since these requirements are subject to change please consult the appropriate government department for up to date information. Should you find any errors in this document please email Customer services

Canada does not have a dedicated au pair visa scheme. However, Canada does have a similar scheme called the live-in caregiver program. The program is described in detail on the Canadian government Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

The program allows a live-in caregiver to work in the country for a year and ensures basic legal rights to fair working conditions and employment rights such as minimum wage, days off and paid holidays.

There are several requirements that must be met in order to qualify for the program. In brief the main requirements are as follows:

You must have the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma.
You must have at least six months full time training in a classroom setting or twelve months of full time employment in a field or occupation related to the job.
You must have a good enough understanding of English or French to cope with emergency situations and be able to communicate with people outside the house.
You must have a written contract of employment with the family.·You must live with the family.

Which nationalities are permitted to come to Canada as a live-in caregiver?

Applicants from some countries will require a temporary resident visa to enter Canada. Applicants from the following countries do NOT require a temporary resident visa:

Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Botswana, Brunei, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel (National Passport holders only), Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Republic of Korea, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, San Marino, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Slovenia, Switzerland, United States, United Kingdom and Hong Kong and Western Samoa.

More details including a list of countries requiring a visa to enter Canada can be found on the Canadian government website .