Can I study in Canada while I am a live-in caregiver?

If the course or program you want to take lasts more than six months, you will need to apply for a study permit. It is important to remember that you are in Canada to work as a live-in caregiver.

You can take non-credit special-interest courses without a study permit.

You can download and print the application for a study permit from Find an application form or guide in the Quick Find section on the right-hand side of this page. You need the study permit application form.

You must pay a processing fee for your study permit.

How does hospital and medical insurance work?

Under Canada’s health insurance system, Canadian residents do not pay certain hospital and medical expenses. However, you or your employer may be required to pay for you to be covered by the insurance plan, depending on the province or territory in which you work. When you arrive in Canada, contact the medical care or hospital insurance office in the province or territory where you work to find out about health insurance. You can find this information in the government section of the telephone directory.

What about benefits such as Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security?

Employment Insurance

As a live-in caregiver in Canada, you are covered by Employment Insurance (EI). EI provides you with benefits if you lose your job through no fault of your own. How long you must work before you qualify for EI will depend on the unemployment rate in your region when you file a claim for benefits.  For more information see Service Canada — Employment Insurance in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

You may be eligible to receive benefits while you look for another job. However, Live-in Caregiver Program participants are expected to find a new employer as soon as possible.

While you are working, you pay into the EI account through money deducted from your wages. The amount deducted depends on how much you earn. Your employer also pays into the EI account on your behalf. Your employer must send in both your payment and her or his contribution to the government. If you lose your job, the EI account will pay you benefits if you qualify.

Canada Pension Plan

You and your employer must make payments to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). The CPP provides a retirement pension as early as age 60 if you no longer work or work very few hours. The plan also pays disability pensions and benefits to the spouse or common-law partner and dependent children of contributors who die.

To receive any benefits, you must meet certain requirements. For example, if you work in Canada for only one or two years and then return to your country of previous residence, you will not qualify for a pension.

Old Age Security

The Old Age Security (OAS) program pays a monthly benefit to residents of Canada who are at least 65 years old. You do not have to contribute to this program.

Your employer must give you a statement of earnings with your paycheque. It shows how much you made before money is taken out for EI and CPP. It also shows other deductions and the hours you worked.