Nanny Work Authorization

Applying for Work in the United States

Individuals applying for work in the United States must have one of the following BEFORE they can legally be hired to work:

• US Citizenship.
• A ‘Green Card’ – this means you are an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.
• A valid work permit.

This web site is NOT affiliated with any US Au Pair Program. Neither this web site nor the individual families recruiting here can legally hire a foreign national to work as a nanny in the United States without the appropriate visa.

IMPORTANT UPDATE APRIL 2005: New regulations issued by the US Department of Labor have upgraded the category for live in domestic workers from unskilled to skilled workers. Under the US quota system, this places the foreign applicant in a position where visas are currently available except for applicants from China, India and the Philippines.

To Qualify:

1.Applicant must have at least one year of experience as a household domestic worker.

2.Applicant must be offered a full-time, permanent position in the US.

3.The potential employer must apply for and receive approved Labor Certification from The Department of Labor.

4.The employer must prove that your employment as a live in household worker is a business necessity.

4nannies.com recommends that employers interested in this contact an attorney specializing in immigration matters. Our staff is not qualified to discuss visa and immigration matters with potential employers and applicants. Ira Denhoffer, P.C., Attorney at Law handles domestic worker immigrant petitions and welcomes employer and applicant phone calls at 212.239.4215.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services
US Immigration Overseas Offices

US AU PAIR PROGRAMS – US Department of State

Applying for work in Canada

Individuals applying for work in Canada must have:

• Canadian Citizenship
• A Valid Work Visa.

Highly qualified foreign nannies with good references can often obtain work permits to be employed in Canada, especially with the help of future employers. Visa processing for Canada takes about 4 months (according to the Canadian High Commission). But before a nanny’s request for a visa will be entertained by the Canadian High Commission, the prospective employer needs the approval of HRDC. Some employers get their approval within two weeks while others take longer.

Visas are issued under terms of the the Foreign Live-In Caregiver Program. The family must generally demonstrate:

• That reasonable efforts to recruit locally were unsuccessful.
• They will satisfy HRDC that a satisfactory wage is being offered.
• The employer will provide the nanny with adequate living accomodations.

The foreign nanny applicant must at a minimum:

• have the equivalent of a Canadian High School education
• have six months of full-time training or 12 month of experience working as a nanny or child care provider.
• be able to speak read and understand either English or French.

Human Resources Development Canada

Working in the European Union

In general, citizens of EU member countries have the right of free movement and may apply for and accept work in any member country.

There is help understanding EU member work rules online at TransitionsAbroad.com.

Americans and other foreigners who are not citizens of EU countries may experience difficulties in finding employment in European Union if they come first (visitor) and then look for a job. Most member countries have laws that bar employers from taking on people with no work permit. Currently, European unemployment is at relatively high levels, and authorities are generally not allowed to issue such a work permit for a job that can be filled by a European Union national.

Employment in Britain