Which option fits your family?
There are 3 ways to welcome a full-time nanny into your home in Quebec. Here's how they compare.
Local nanny
Commutes to your home daily
- LodgingExternal
- Hourly rate~ $30/h
- Typical durationFlexible
- OriginLocal Quebec
- Best forMontreal families with variable hours
International live-in nanny
Lives in your home full-time
- LodgingIn your home
- Hourly rateFrom $19/h
- Typical duration2 to 4 years
- OriginInternational (TFWP)
- Best forQC regions, or 24/7 Montreal families
European au pair
Cultural exchange + childcare
- LodgingIn your home
- Hourly rate$20-25/h
- Typical duration1 to 2 years
- OriginEurope (IEC program)
- Best forBilingual families seeking cultural exchange
What's included with a live-in nanny
Shopping, light cleaning, meal prep — far more than babysitting.
Lifesaving during snow days, school closures, last-minute changes.
Evenings, weekends, late shifts — she adapts to your real schedule.
She fits your lifestyle, habits, and your family's journey.
When one parent travels often, she takes over the home duties.
Driving nanny, homeschool tutor, multilingual — pick your profile.
Who is your live-in nanny?
More than a babysitter. A full-time team member who transforms your daily life.
Who are these international nannies?
In Canada, the terms live-in nanny, au pair and in-home caregiver all describe the same role. She's typically a woman aged 25-40, well-educated, who has chosen childcare and family support as a career.
She arrives in Canada on a work permit under the TFWP program, works with your family for 2 to 4 years, then becomes eligible for permanent residency.
By welcoming her, you're not hiring a babysitter — you're welcoming a full-time team member committed to your household and your children.
Typical profile
- 25-40 years oldAverage age range
- 5+ years experiencePrior childcare work
- Well-educatedSecondary or higher
- MultilingualEN/FR + native language
- Verified backgroundReferences + criminal check
What happens in your home, day by day
- Wake-up routine
- Breakfast preparation
- School drop-off
- Light housekeeping
- Errands & shopping
- Meal preparation
- School pick-up
- Snack & homework
- Activities & playtime
- Family dinner
- Bath time
- Bedtime routine
How she arrives — and stays — with your family
Rigorous selection from thousands of vetted candidates abroad.
LMIA + work permit. Our team handles every form.
Airport pickup, settling in, first weeks at your home.
Stability, integration, growth — for her and your kids.
She becomes eligible for PR. Your family becomes hers.
Tell us about your family
Six short questions. We come back to you with real candidates, real pricing, real availability — within 24 hours.
What you get back
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Availability for your regionVerified within 24 hours
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Real candidate profilesMatched to your criteria
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Transparent pricingBased on your specific case
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Clear next stepsProcess, timeline, paperwork
What happens after you submit
Here's exactly how it unfolds — from your first message to her arrival at your home.
You tell us your story
Fill the form above. Six questions, three minutes. We come back with regional availability and next steps.
Free 20-min consultation
Phone call with our team. We clarify your needs: schedule, region, profile preferences, budget.
2-3 matched profiles sent
Each candidate verified, interviewed, background-checked. Review CVs, photos, video presentations at your pace.
You meet her on video
Zoom interview with your preferred candidate. Translation provided if needed. Decide with confidence.
She arrives at your home
We handle visa, flights, airport pickup, first-week settling. She steps into your life as a trusted team member.
The TFWP program requires 8 to 9 months of administrative processing — LMIA, work permit, immigration paperwork. Ideal to plan ahead, especially when aligning her arrival with a family milestone (back-to-school, new baby, relocation).
Where can you have a live-in?
Your options depend on where you live in Quebec. Here's the landscape — and exactly what's available for your family.
The federal TFWP program restricts international live-in placements in regions where unemployment exceeds 6% — known as Schedule H. This currently includes Greater Montréal, Laval, Gatineau, and Brossard. Medical exceptions apply for families with special needs.
Schedule H zones
Outside Greater Montréal
PTET unlocked anywhere in Quebec
What our families say
Behind every placement is a family who trusted us. Here are just a few — among 64 reviews on Google.
"For all those who don't have the time and are looking for a live-in nanny or homemaker, I highly recommend this agency. Their team is very professional and competent — you will not find any better agency!"
"It is a great pleasure working with Regency Nannies. I have been working with them for over 5 years because of their excellent service. They genuinely care about matching the right person to each family."
"With my husband's hospital shifts and my own clinic, we needed someone reliable, 7 days a week. Regency found us a wonderful caregiver who's been with us for almost 3 years. She's part of the family now."
Everything you want to know
If you don't find your answer here, just ask in the form — we reply within 24 hours.
The PTET program & immigration
What is the PTET program?
The TFWP (Temporary Foreign Worker Program — known as "PTET" in French) is the Canadian federal program that lets you hire an international live-in nanny. It involves 3 main steps: LMIA application (demonstrating no local candidate was available), work permit processing, and her arrival in Canada. Our team handles each step from start to finish.
How long does the full PTET process take?
8 to 9 months total. Roughly: LMIA application (3-4 months) + work permit processing (2-3 months) + immigration paperwork + flights and settling. Starting early gives you peace of mind and your pick of the best candidates.
Can I have an international live-in in Montreal?
Greater Montreal falls under federal Schedule H (regions where unemployment exceeds 6%) — international PTET live-in is restricted there. However, exceptions apply for families with a medical condition, disability, or special-needs child. The European Au Pair (IEC program) is always available, even in Montreal. If your child has special needs, the medical exception unlocks live-in access across Quebec — see our special needs care service.
What happens after the 2-4 year contract?
After working with your family for 2-4 years, she becomes eligible for Permanent Residency in Canada. Many continue long-term with the same family as full residents. Our team supports both of you through that transition.
Pricing & what's included
How much does it really cost?
Cost varies depending on the profile, region, and program (PTET vs Au Pair). The hourly wage starts at $19/h via PTET, plus agency fees, LMIA, work permit, and travel costs. We provide a transparent all-inclusive quote during your initial consultation.
What's included in your service?
International recruitment, rigorous candidate selection (background checks, references, video interviews), full LMIA and work permit processing, immigration paperwork, airport pickup, and first-week settling support. A complete turnkey service from your first message to her arrival.
Process & support
What if the nanny doesn't work out?
These situations are rare thanks to our rigorous matching process. Should difficulties arise, our team accompanies you to find a solution — through mediation, adjustment, or replacement. You're never on your own.
Daily life in your home
How many hours per week does she work?
Typically 40 to 44 hours per week, as defined by your employment contract. Overtime is compensated in additional pay or time off per your agreement. Schedules are flexible — including evenings and weekends when needed.
Where does she sleep?
Quebec law requires that she has her own private bedroom in your home, ideally with her own bathroom. The room must respect basic standards of privacy, comfort, and space. We help you verify these requirements during the LMIA application.
Does she speak French or English?
Depends on her origin. Filipino and Asian nannies typically speak English fluently. Latin American nannies often speak Spanish with basic English/French. French-speaking nannies are available but rarer — let us know if it's a priority for your family.
Welcome someone extraordinary into your home.
Tell us about your family. We'll handle the rest — recruitment, immigration, settling. Your live-in nanny is one form away.
Find my live-in →