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I would like to find out how you go about getting information on Canadian migration as well as living and working in Canada. What are the requirements, where to go and is there an application form available? There are so many scams out there and I don't want to get caught up in any of these situations. Should I go to the Canadian High Commision to get information on this matter? Please advise me. Thanks in advance.

One option for you is to consider working in Canada as a live-in caregiver. This programme provides you with a temporary work permit that will allow you after two years of continuous employment to apply for permanent residency. Under this programme, many persons have made the transition to successful Canadian permanent residence status.

You are eligible and can apply if you have a written job offer/contract from an employer that is signed by both of you. You may be eligible if you have completed high school equivalent to the Canadian high school standard and if you have one year experience as a caregiver or six months training in the last three years. Training such as early childhood education, training in taking care of the elderly, or as a nurse for children or the elderly will qualify.

In addition, you must also show that you are able to communicate effectively in either French or English orally and in writing. You must then obtain a work permit when you have all these things in place.

It is important to note that your employer must also be approved by Human Resources Development Canada for your employment before it will be accepted for you to work in Canada. Your employer must submit the job offer/contract to Human Resources Development Canada who will provide your employer with a positive labour market review if your job offer is approved. In order to gain approval, your employer will have to show that there are not enough live-in caregivers already in Canada, usually they will have to advertise in Canada for the job first before offering it to you.

The job offer contains important conditions such as transportation to Canada, wages, hours of work, your job duties, insurance (medical and safety), expenses for recruiting you for the job, holidays and accommodation.

There are those who recruit for these jobs in Jamaica. Some are successful and others have taken monies without securing jobs for those who wish to emigrate to Canada and other places. I can only caution you to be wise and to find out about their reputation. Find out if they are registered as immigration consultants or lawyers before trusting them with your application.

Information that will assist you is available at the Canadian High Commission and on the website. Employers and employees are required to follow certain working conditions once they commence working in Canada. At the end of two years of employment you will be able to apply for permanent residency, you have four years from the time of arrival in Canada in which to complete your application.

Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams is a barrister/solicitor of bars in Jamaica and Ontario, Canada. She is president of the Jamaican Diaspora Canada Foundation and former counsel at the Ontario Human Rights Commission. Email: info4immigration@gmail.com or editor@gleanerjm.com.