The main reason that we started KidcooverPrep is that we were sick and tired of hearing stories of caregivers that either (a) paid hefty fees to agencies for jobs in Canada or (b) were scammed by agents promising them a visa. The Government of Canada does not want you to pay agency fees. The government agencies involved in immigration are really starting to crack down By the way, click to view our Corporate Documents and Licenses and a Vancouver Police Background Check of our CEO (required to operate a childcare and eldercare agency) – and feel free to call the government to check us out!
Here’s a quick test for identifying a scam!
(1) They promise you a visa. If they’re promising you a visa, it’s a fraud – plain and simple. The decision to issue a work permit for Canada rests firmly in the hands of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (“CIC”). Even if you hire a Canadian immigration lawyer or RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant), they can never promise that the outcome will be a visa. Anyone that claims to do so is FRAUD. Run!
(2) They are not licensed in Canada or do not partner with a licensed Canadian agency. Yes, we are aware that many agencies outside of Canada collect fees or commissions from applicants for job placement. Please know that this is not acceptable in Canada. Collecting a job placement fee from an applicant will likely result in a Canadian agency losing it’s license. Foreign agencies are not subject to Canadian laws. Therefore, there is no way to verify that they are legitimate (in the eyes of Canada) or if they even know what they’re doing. If you select a non-Canadian agency (we don’t recommend it) ask for evidence of the agency they work with in Canada. Ask for the Canadian agency’s corporate documents or their Employment Agency License. If they can’t provide it, run – run – run!
(3) They tell you there is an age requirement. Read this carefully and tell everyone that you know: There are NO age limits in Canada. This would be employment discrimination and is illegal in Canada. Many “older” caregivers are sponsored by families in Canada. An agency that tells you that there is an age requirement is either (i) extremely misinformed or (ii) just after caregivers they can make money off of.
(4) They have no understanding of the November 2014 changes to the Caregiver Program. Ask them about the changes to Canada’s Caregiver Program in November 2014. If they give you a blank stare or are unable to quickly explain the changes, run – run – run! The changes are critical to your qualifications and make the program more accessible to many caregivers across the world.
(5) They tell you that you have to pay for the LMIA fee or for your airfare. Paying the LMIA sponsorship application fee and your travel expenses to come to Canada are always the responsibility of the sponsoring family. Always. This is the law in Canada.