It’s 2024 and Canada still remains the top destination for immigrants all over the world. Every year, thousands of people leave their birth countries and relocate to Canada in hopes of a better future. From its stable economy to reliable public infrastructure and welfare programs, Canada has a lot of wonderful benefits and provides endless opportunities for migrants seeking a new life.
While there are numerous ways you can relocate to Canada, this article will focus specifically on the Housekeeper job route. By the time you are done reading this article, you would know all about being a housekeeper in Canada and what visa routes and requirements are necessary to turn that knowledge to reality.
Housekeeping in Toronto Canada
The housekeeping industry in Canada encompasses a range of roles related to cleaning and maintaining various spaces. Light duty cleaners perform cleaning tasks in lobbies, hallways, offices, and rooms of hotels, motels, resorts, hospitals, schools, office buildings, and private residences.
This group of workers are usually employed by hotels, motels, resorts, recreational facilities, hospitals, building management companies, cleaning service companies, and private individuals. Unlike other professional skills that require rigorous training and learning before you start, on-the-job training is typically sufficient, and no formal education is mandatory for housekeepers. The median wage for light duty cleaners in Canada is $18.00 per hour.
It is important to note that while there are no specific education requirements for most housekeeping jobs, some employers may prefer or require certification for housekeeping room attendants or similar certifications. For executive housekeeper positions, completion of secondary school is usually required, and a university degree or college diploma in hotel management, business administration, or a related field may be necessary. Extensive experience as a cleaning supervisor may substitute for formal education requirements. These qualifications can vary depending on the employer and the specific role.
Duties of a Housekeeper in Toronto Canada
The roles and duties of a housekeeper in Canada can vary depending on the nature of the job and requirements of the employer. However, they generally typically include the following:
- Cleaning: This involves sweeping, mopping, washing, waxing, and polishing floors. Housekeepers also dust furniture and vacuum carpeting, area rugs, draperies, and upholstered furniture.
- Bed and Bath Linen Management: Making beds, changing sheets, and distributing clean towels and toiletries are common tasks.
- Guest Services: Housekeepers attend to guests requests for extra supplies and stock linen closets and other supplies’ areas.
- Sanitization: They play a crucial role in maintaining safety and health standards by sanitizing materials and surfaces for different uses.
- Kitchen Management: In some roles, housekeepers may manage kitchen areas, including washing dishes and taking inventory of ingredients, beverages, and kitchen supplies.
- Laundry Services: They are responsible for laundering items like sheets, linens, curtains, duvet spreads, and pillowcases to keep them clean and fit for use.
- Equipment Operation: Housekeepers use various equipment to perform duties like cleaning, sanitization, and laundry services.
Visa Pathways for Housekeepers in Toronto
For housekeepers looking to work in Toronto, Canada, there are several visa pathways available:
1- Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
This allows employers in Canada to hire foreign workers for positions they are unable to fill with local workers. Housekeepers can be hired under this program if there is a proven shortage of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to fill the job. The TFWP allows people to work in Canada for up to 6 months, with possibilities of extensions
To be eligible for a visa under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, you must first have a job offer from a Canadian employer who has offered you a temporary position. The employer should have obtained permission from the Canadian government to hire a foreign national through a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Additionally, you must not be inadmissible to Canada for any reason, including medical, criminal, or financial issues.
It is important to remember that the TFWP allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers for temporary jobs when qualified Canadians are not available. The program is regulated through the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. It’s administered in partnership with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) assesses applications from employers requesting permission to hire temporary foreign workers and conducts LMIA assessments to determine the likely impact on the Canadian labor market.
2. Express Entry
The Express Entry covers three immigration programs namely the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) for skilled workers with relevant experience, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) for those with Canadian work experience, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) for skilled tradespeople.
Skilled workers, including executive housekeepers, can apply for permanent residency through the Federal Skilled Worker Program managed by the Express Entry system. Eligibility depends on factors like work experience, education, and language proficiency. Eligible candidates receive a score based on criteria such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency.
3. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Provinces have their own immigration programs that nominate individuals for permanent residence based on the province’s economic needs. Ontario’s PNP could be an option for housekeepers, especially if they have a job offer from an employer in Toronto.
The OINP is Ontario’s economic immigration program which collaborates with the Government of Canada through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Foreign workers, international students, and individuals with the right skills, experience, and education can apply for a nomination through the OINP. The OINP recognizes and nominates people who have the skills and experience needed by the Ontario economy. The final decision on approving applications for permanent residence lies with the Government of Canada.
To apply, Candidates must meet specific criteria for different OINP streams. Ontario offers nine immigration streams under the OINP, catering to various categories such as skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and investors.
Application pathways include both non-Express Entry and Express Entry processes. Additionally, medical exams and police checks are mandatory as part of the process. Employers can also seek approval for employment positions through the OINP.
4. Home Support Worker Pilot
This is a specific pathway for caregivers in Canada. Housekeepers who provide care for the elderly, people with disabilities, or children may qualify under this pilot program. There are mainly two application categories under this pilot:
- Gaining Experience Category: Created for those who have less than 12 months of work experience as a caregiver in Canada.
- Direct to Permanence Category: Meant for applicants who have worked full-time as a caregiver in Canada for a total of 12 months or more in the last 36 months
While checking your eligibility, you should note that you must have worked full-time in Canada as a home support worker(National Occupational Classification code 44101). Also, your work must involve caring for someone who needs assistance in their private home (not an institutional setting like a nursing home). Living in your employer’s home is not necessary for eligibility.