A permanent resident is a person who can live in Canada permanently but who is not a Canadian citizen. A live-in caregiver is a person who:

Note: If you live in Quebec, your application must also be approved by the provincial immigration authority, called the Ministere des relations avec les citoyens et de l’immigration (MRCI). You do not need to fill out any forms; we will apply on your behalf. If the MRCI approves your application, it will give you a Certificat de sélection du Québec, which grants you permanent resident status in Quebec. If the MRCI refuses your application, you will be given the opportunity to apply in another province.

In order to prove that you have worked in Canada as a live-in caregiver for two years in the three years since you first came as a live-in caregiver, you must attach all the items listed in the Original Documents section of the Document Checklist (IMM 5282).

Send everything in a 23 cm x 30.5 cm (9" x 12") envelope. Address the envelope to:

Be sure to include a return address. The envelope will require more postage than a normal letter. To avoid having your application returned to you, have the post office weigh it before mailing. Do not include prepaid return envelopes.

If you have completed your application properly, it will be reviewed by an immigration officer and a letter will be sent to you within 90 days. The letter will let you know if your application was approved for processing in Canada, refused, or referred to a Canada Immigration Centre for further review. If you have not heard anything after 90 days, phone a Call Centre as indicated on the Contact Information page.

If you have not completed your application properly or have left out information, your application will be returned to you.

If you and your family members meet all immigration requirements, we will contact you to arrange an interview. You and your family members in Canada will likely be given your permanent residence at that time. Once you are a permanent resident, if you indicated that family members outside of Canada will join you immediately, we will let the visa office know to issue permanent resident visas to them. If you indicated that your family members will not be joining you at this time, we will take no further action.

You may also check your status or remove access from the Internet by phoning a Call Centre.

If you have mailed your application and you move or need to provide new information, you should phone the nearest Call Centre immediately. New information may be that: answers to questions on the application for permanent residence change, you are convicted of a criminal offence, or you no longer want to continue with your application.

Generally, it takes 10 months for single applicants and 18 months for applicants with overseas family members to have their applications processed. (These processing times are only applicable for applications that were completed correctly, signed and had all the required documents attached and fees paid.) We have no control over the time it takes to complete medical, criminal and security checks. These checks may cause processing times to increase.

It is illegal to work without a valid permit.

If you already have a study permit, you may continue to study for the duration of the document.

If you leave Canada while your application is being processed, we cannot guarantee that you will be allowed to re-enter. This is especially true if you need a Canadian temporary resident visa (a visa affixed to a page in your passport).

If your application is refused, you will be sent a letter. You will be advised to leave Canada before your current work permit expires. The processing fee will not be refunded. If you paid the right of permanent residence fee, it will be refunded.

Your application may be refused if you or your family members do not meet immigration requirements.

Some examples are: you do not qualify as a live-in caregiver, you or your family members do not pass criminal or security checks, you do not have enough money to support yourself and your family members, or you or your family members do not pass medical examinations.