If you are a foreign visitor or diplomat travelling to Canada and wish to bring your domestic nanny, they must obtain a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or eTA. The core requirement is proving the nanny will not enter the Canadian labour market and is paid solely by the foreign employer. The standard TRV application fee is $100 CAD.
When wealthy families, business executives, or diplomats travel to Canada for an extended holiday or temporary assignment, they often rely on their personal domestic staff. Bringing a nanny to care for your children while you visit cities like Toronto, Ontario, or Vancouver, British Columbia, is generally permissible under Canadian immigration law. However, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) places strict criteria on these applications to protect the local labour market.
The Canadian government must be convinced that your domestic worker is not secretly attempting to move to Canada permanently or look for a job with a Canadian family. A poorly prepared visa application for your nanny will almost certainly be refused. Because demonstrating this employer-employee relationship requires specific legal documentation, many travelling families choose to hire a Canadian immigration lawyer from our directory to ensure their travel plans proceed without a hitch.
Step-by-Step Process in Canada
Navigating the TRV process for a nanny accompanying a foreign employer requires careful preparation. The rules apply uniformly across Canada, whether you are vacationing in a cottage in Muskoka or attending meetings in Calgary, Alberta. Here is how the process generally unfolds.
Step 1: Determine the Entry Requirements
First, check if your nanny needs a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). 🔍 This depends entirely on the nanny’s passport, not the employer’s. Even if the employer is from a visa-exempt country (like the UK or Germany), if the nanny holds a passport from the Philippines or India, the nanny must undergo the full TRV application process involving biometric data collection.
Step 2: Draft a Robust Employment Contract
To prove that the nanny is not entering the Canadian labour market, you must provide a comprehensive employment contract. This contract must clearly show that the nanny has been employed by you in your home country for a significant period. It should stipulate that you are paying their salary (which cannot come from a Canadian source), covering their return flight, and providing full room and board during their stay in Canada.
Step 3: Submit the TRV Application to IRCC
The nanny (or your lawyer acting as a representative) must submit the TRV application online via the IRCC secure portal. You must include a detailed cover letter explaining the purpose of the trip. Include supporting documents such as the employer’s flight itineraries, hotel bookings in Montreal or Ottawa, and proof of the employer’s financial ability to support the nanny during the trip.
Step 4: Navigating CBSA at the Port of Entry
Even with an approved TRV, the final decision rests with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer at the airport. 🕿 The nanny and the employer should ideally travel together. The officer may ask the nanny questions to ensure they are returning home after the holiday and are not being forced into labour against their will. Having copies of the employment contract and return tickets ready is highly recommended.
| Requirement | Purpose for IRCC | Recommended Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Employment | Proves they are not seeking Canadian jobs. | Existing employment contract and foreign pay slips. |
| Financial Support | Ensures the nanny won’t need Canadian social services. | Employer’s bank statements and letter of support. |
| Temporary Intent | Proves the nanny will leave Canada. | Return flight tickets and ties to home country. |
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
The fees associated with bringing a domestic worker on a temporary visit are relatively straightforward. All amounts are current as of May 2026 and are in Canadian dollars (CAD).
- TRV Application Fee: $100 CAD per applicant.
- Biometrics Fee: $85 CAD (if the nanny has not provided biometrics to IRCC in the past 10 years).
- eTA Fee (if applicable): $7 CAD (only for visa-exempt passports).
- Lawyer Fees: Typically between $1,500 and $3,500 CAD to draft the legal submissions, cover letters, and manage the IRCC portal.
How Long Does the Process Take?
⌛ The timeline depends heavily on the country from which the nanny is applying. TRV processing times update weekly on the IRCC website. Generally, applications from outside Canada can take anywhere from 14 to 90 days. You must also factor in an additional 1 to 2 weeks for the nanny to attend a local Visa Application Centre (VAC) to provide their fingerprints and photograph.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can the nanny stay in Canada if the employer leaves?
No. The nanny’s authorization to enter Canada as a temporary visitor is tied directly to their role accompanying the foreign employer. If the employer leaves Canada, the nanny is legally expected to depart as well.
Can the nanny work for a Canadian family while here?
Absolutely not. Working for a Canadian family would mean entering the Canadian labour market, which requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and a formal Work Permit. Doing so on a TRV is a serious immigration offence.
What if the nanny’s TRV is denied?
If refused, IRCC will send a letter detailing the reasons (usually failure to prove temporary intent). You can reapply, but it is strongly advised to consult an immigration lawyer to address the officer’s specific concerns before submitting a second application.
Does the nanny need medical insurance in Canada?
While not legally mandatory for all TRV applications, it is incredibly risky to travel without it. Medical care in Canada is very expensive for non-residents. Purchasing comprehensive travel health insurance for your nanny is highly recommended.
Leave a Reply