Canada has one of the fastest-aging populations in the world, with millions of seniors requiring care and support every year. At the same time, Canadian families often struggle to find reliable caregivers for children, seniors, and people with disabilities. This has created a constant demand for foreign caregivers, many of whom come from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

For Nigerians and other Africans, this demand translates into real job opportunities. Employers in Canada are willing to hire international caregivers and, in many cases, sponsor their visas to fill the labor gap. If you have experience in childcare, elderly care, disability support, or home assistance, you may qualify for one of these roles.

This guide explores 10 caregiver jobs in Canada that frequently come with visa sponsorship. For each role, you’ll learn the duties, requirements, salary ranges, and sponsorship options. We’ll also walk through the main immigration pathways, how to apply from Africa, and what you can do to stand out.

1. Home Support Worker / Personal Support Worker (PSW)

Duties

• Assist seniors or people with disabilities with bathing, dressing, grooming, and mobility.
• Prepare meals and help with feeding.
• Provide companionship and emotional support.
• Perform light housekeeping and medication reminders.

Requirements

• Certificate or training in personal support work is highly valued.
• CPR and First Aid certifications are often requested.
• Strong communication skills and patience.

Average Salary
$30,000 – $45,000 CAD per year, depending on employer and location.

Sponsorship Potential
High. Home support workers are in shortage across Canada. Many agencies and households use the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) with LMIA approval to hire internationally.

2. Home Child Care Provider / Nanny

Duties

• Supervise children, plan play and learning activities.
• Prepare meals and snacks.
• Take children to and from school or activities.
• Ensure safety and emotional well-being.

Requirements

• Prior childcare or nanny experience.
• First Aid and CPR training.
• Clean criminal record check.

Average Salary
$28,000 – $40,000 CAD per year. Live-in roles sometimes include free accommodation.

Sponsorship Potential
High. Many families cannot find local nannies, so they hire foreign caregivers through LMIA. The caregiver pilot streams also favor child care providers.

3. Live-in Caregiver

Duties

• Provide full-time care for children, seniors, or people with disabilities.
• Stay in the employer’s home to ensure constant availability.
• Perform daily tasks like cooking, cleaning, and supervision.

Requirements

• Flexibility to live with the employer.
• Prior caregiving experience.
• Good physical stamina and reliability.

Average Salary
$28,000 – $36,000 CAD per year. Free accommodation is often included.

Sponsorship Potential
Moderate to high. Live-in caregivers remain in demand, particularly in rural areas where finding local workers is difficult. Employers usually apply for LMIA to hire foreign workers.

4. Dementia or Alzheimer’s Caregiver

Duties

• Support elderly patients with memory loss.
• Establish daily routines and ensure safety.
• Provide emotional support for both patient and family.
• Manage challenging behaviors with patience.

Requirements

• Training in dementia or Alzheimer’s care is a strong asset.
• Patience, empathy, and strong communication.
• Ability to handle stressful situations calmly.

Average Salary
$32,000 – $48,000 CAD per year. Specialized caregivers often earn slightly more.

Sponsorship Potential
High. Specialized senior care is in critical shortage, so agencies and families frequently sponsor workers with this background.

5. Respite Care Worker

Duties

• Provide temporary care for children, seniors, or disabled individuals while the primary caregiver rests.
• Assist with daily tasks, companionship, and supervision.
• Offer flexible, short-term support.

Requirements

• Adaptability to different household situations.
• General caregiving experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills.

Average Salary
$27,000 – $38,000 CAD per year, depending on hours and arrangements.

Sponsorship Potential
Moderate. Respite workers are often hired through agencies, and international recruitment is possible when local supply is low.

6. Disability Support Worker

Duties

• Assist adults or children with physical or intellectual disabilities.
• Help with mobility, personal hygiene, and communication.
• Support community integration and daily living skills.

Requirements

• Training in disability support or healthcare is an advantage.
• Patience, problem-solving, and strong empathy.
• Ability to handle physically demanding tasks.

Average Salary
$33,000 – $50,000 CAD per year.

Sponsorship Potential
High. Disability support workers are needed across Canada. Employers often sponsor qualified foreign workers, especially those with prior experience.

7. Palliative or End-of-Life Care Assistant

Duties

• Provide comfort and dignity to patients with terminal illnesses.
• Support with pain management routines and emotional care.
• Assist families through the process.

Requirements

• Training in palliative or hospice care is highly valued.
• Compassion and emotional resilience.
• Strong listening and communication skills.

Average Salary
$35,000 – $52,000 CAD per year.

Sponsorship Potential
Moderate to high. Agencies and some hospitals hire foreign workers for palliative care, especially when local supply is insufficient.

8. Elderly Companion Caregiver

Duties

• Provide non-medical companionship for seniors.
• Assist with light housekeeping, errands, and meals.
• Offer conversation, games, and emotional support.

Requirements

• No strict educational requirement, but caregiving experience helps.
• Friendly, caring personality.
• Patience and reliability.

Average Salary
$27,000 – $36,000 CAD per year.

Sponsorship Potential
Moderate. Families who cannot find companions locally sometimes look abroad and offer sponsorship through LMIA.

9. Rehabilitation Support Caregiver

Duties

• Assist patients recovering from surgery, illness, or injury.
• Support with mobility, exercise routines, and personal care.
• Help with transportation to therapy appointments.

Requirements

• Experience in rehabilitation support or physiotherapy assistance.
• Knowledge of mobility aids.
• Strong physical stamina.

Average Salary
$32,000 – $47,000 CAD per year.

Sponsorship Potential
Moderate. Some households and rehabilitation agencies hire foreign workers, especially those with prior medical-related experience.

10. Childcare Worker in Specialized Needs Settings

Duties

• Care for children with autism, ADHD, or other developmental needs.
• Follow therapy plans and structured routines.
• Support communication, behavior, and learning.

Requirements

• Training or experience in special needs childcare.
• Patience, creativity, and adaptability.
• Strong teamwork skills.

Average Salary
$33,000 – $50,000 CAD per year.

Sponsorship Potential
High. There is a shortage of specialized childcare workers in Canada, making employers more open to hiring internationally.

Visa Sponsorship Pathways for Caregivers

1. Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

Employers apply for an LMIA to prove no Canadians are available for the role. Once approved, the caregiver can apply for a work permit. This is the most common route for Nigerians and Africans applying from abroad.

2. Caregiver Pilots (2025)

Canada relaunched its caregiver programs in 2025 with two new streams: one for workers already in Canada and one for applicants outside Canada. Successful applicants can transition to permanent residency after gaining work experience. Intake caps are limited, so applicants must apply quickly when the stream opens.

3. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Some provinces recruit caregivers under specific streams, especially in areas with labor shortages. Provinces such as Manitoba and Nova Scotia have historically welcomed foreign caregivers.

How to Apply for Caregiver Jobs from Nigeria and Africa

1. Prepare Your CV and Documents
   • Create a Canadian-style resume highlighting caregiving experience.
   • Include certifications like First Aid, CPR, or any healthcare-related training.
   • Obtain a police clearance certificate and medical checkup.
2. Search for Caregiver Jobs
   • Use Canadian job portals such as JobSupe, Indeed, and Workopolis.
   • Check licensed recruitment agencies that place caregivers.
   • Look at provincial nominee job boards in provinces with caregiver shortages.
3. Apply to Employers
   • Tailor your cover letter to each job, showing passion and reliability.
   • Be honest about availability and willingness to relocate.
4. Employer Sponsorship Process
   • If the employer agrees, they will apply for LMIA.
   • Once approved, you apply for a Canadian work permit from Nigeria or your country of residence.
5. Arrive and Work in Canada
   • On arrival, follow Canadian health and safety standards.
   • After meeting work requirements, you may qualify for permanent residency through caregiver pathways.

Tips to Boost Your Chances

• Obtain caregiving certifications such as First Aid, CPR, or personal support worker courses, even if taken online.
• Highlight prior experience with children, seniors, or disabled individuals.
• Show flexibility with working hours and willingness to work in rural areas.
• Build strong references from past employers or families.
• Practice common caregiver interview questions before speaking with Canadian employers.

Conclusion

Canada continues to face a shortage of caregivers, making it one of the most reliable entry points for Nigerians and other Africans seeking jobs with visa sponsorship. Whether you specialize in childcare, elderly support, disability care, or rehabilitation, there are employers ready to hire and sponsor skilled and compassionate workers.

By preparing your documents, gaining relevant certifications, and applying strategically, you can increase your chances of securing a sponsored caregiver job in Canada. These opportunities not only provide stable employment but also open pathways to permanent residency and long-term settlement in one of the world’s most welcoming countries.