It’s 7:40 a.m. The coat isn’t buttoned yet, a mitten has gone missing, and the phone is already buzzing — the hospital, the office, the firm.
For hundreds of Quebec families, mornings look like this. Two demanding careers. Children to drive, to feed, to reassure. And, in between, a gap no one quite fills.
You’ve probably called the daycares. Joined the waitlist. Tried the neighbourhood babysitters, one after another. Then you wondered whether, somewhere, a more stable solution existed.
It does. And few families know about it.
It is possible to sponsor an international nanny and welcome her into your home — legally, within the framework of a federal program: the TFWP. This guide explains how, step by step, without jargon — so you can decide, with full clarity, whether this path is right for your family.
Is your family eligible for the TFWP?
The answer depends on your region — and there are important exceptions. A free consultation is all it takes to find out, with no commitment.
What exactly is the TFWP?
The TFWP — the Temporary Foreign Worker Program — is a Government of Canada program. It allows an employer to recruit a qualified person from abroad when a genuine need cannot be filled locally.
A family can be that employer. And the person recruited can be a nanny.
This is not a grey area. It is not a shortcut. It is a regulated, recognized process with clear rules: an employment contract, a wage that meets Quebec labour standards, defined housing conditions.
In practical terms, the TFWP opens the door to a reality many families never imagine: welcoming an experienced nanny, often trained abroad, who becomes a stable presence in the home.
Is your family eligible?
This is the first question to ask — and the answer deserves honesty.
The TFWP depends on your region. The program takes the local unemployment rate into account. In certain areas — notably Montreal, Laval and a few others — sponsoring a nanny through the TFWP is generally not permitted.
But there is an important exception. Families facing a particular medical situation — a disability, a chronic illness, a child with special needs — may be eligible, even in an otherwise excluded area.
For families located elsewhere in Quebec — in Saguenay, the Eastern Townships, Mauricie, Chaudière-Appalaches and many other regions — the path is often open. The only way to know for certain is to have your specific situation reviewed. It’s free, and it takes a single conversation.
How to sponsor an international nanny, step by step
Sponsoring an international nanny is not instant. It is a journey — mapped out, but real. Here are the main steps.
- Selecting the candidate. It all begins with the right person. We assess experience, references and compatibility with your family.
- The Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This is the government authorization confirming the need. A rigorous file, to be built with care.
- The work permit. Once the LMIA is obtained, the candidate submits her work permit application.
- The arrival. The nanny arrives in Canada and joins your household.
- Integration. The first weeks, settling in, establishing the family routine.
The full process generally takes 8 to 9 months. It’s a timeline to know from the outset — so you can plan calmly, with no unpleasant surprises.
The good news: you never go through any of these steps alone.
What does it cost, exactly?
Let’s be candid, because it’s a fair question. The cost to sponsor an international nanny is made up of several elements:
- The nanny’s wage. It starts at $19/hr, in line with current labour standards. It is a job — regulated and fair.
- Government fees related to processing the file.
- Agency fees, which vary depending on each family’s situation — region, type of placement, support required.
We do not publish a total price, for one simple reason: there isn’t a single one. Every family is different. An honest quote is built during a consultation — free, with no commitment.
One thing is worth saying: welcoming a nanny is not a one-time expense. It is an investment in a stable presence, sometimes for several years.
Why work with a specialized agency
You might think it’s just a matter of filling out forms. The reality is more delicate.
The TFWP touches on immigration law and labour law. The LMIA requires a compliant file. One mistake, one poorly completed document, one missed step — and that means months of delay.
That is why our agency is led by an immigration lawyer. Every file is legally secured, at every step. This is not a detail: it’s the difference between a smooth journey and one full of obstacles.
Since 2004, our team has supported more than 1,000 Quebec families. We know the regions, the timelines and the exceptions. And we stay by your side, from the first call to the nanny’s integration into your home. To learn more about life with a live-in nanny, discover our live-in nanny service.
An important note on regions
The TFWP is not available everywhere in Quebec. Regions such as Montreal and Laval are generally excluded, due to the local unemployment rate. But families living with a medical condition — a disability, a chronic illness, a child with special needs — may be eligible regardless. Before anything else, check your regional eligibility.
What now?
If you’ve made it this far, the question is already on your mind.
The first step is not a contract. It’s a conversation — to check whether your region is eligible, understand your needs, and receive a clear, transparent quote.
Let’s talk about your family
A free consultation to check your eligibility and receive a transparent quote. No commitment.
Going further
- Our service: the live-in nanny
- Read also: 6:47 PM — The Moment Everything Changes
