Many people around the world want to work in Canada as housekeepers. Housekeeper jobs include cleaning hotels, motels, hospitals, offices, private homes, and other places. These jobs are often in demand because businesses and families need reliable cleaning help. For a foreigner, the main challenge is getting permission to work in Canada — that is where visa sponsorship comes in.
Visa sponsorship means a Canadian employer offers you a job and helps you get a work permit or the paperwork you need to legally work in Canada. Not all employers will sponsor foreign workers, but many do when they cannot find a Canadian worker for the job. There are a few different paths to come as a housekeeper: employers can apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to hire you, or you may be hired under special caregiver/home-care programs (when they are available). The rules change from time to time, so it is important to check official government pages when you apply. This guide gives clear steps, salary expectations, and safe job sites to search so you can make a solid plan.
Why Canada Needs Foreign Housekeepers
Housekeepers are needed in Canada for several important reasons. Let me break it down in simple English so it’s clear:
1. ✅ Labour Shortage
Many Canadians do not want to do cleaning or housekeeping jobs, especially in hotels, hospitals, and private homes. Employers sometimes cannot find enough local workers, so they look outside Canada.
2. ✅ Growing Hospitality Industry
Canada’s tourism and hospitality industry is growing. Hotels, resorts, and guest houses need many housekeepers to clean rooms daily, handle laundry, and keep spaces welcoming for guests.
3. ✅ Healthcare Needs
Hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics need housekeepers to keep patient areas clean and safe. Proper cleaning prevents infections and keeps health facilities running smoothly.
4. ✅ Aging Population
Canada has many older people who need help at home. Some cannot manage cleaning by themselves, so families or home-care agencies hire housekeepers or caregivers to assist.
5. ✅ Busy Work Culture
In big cities, many families are very busy with jobs and do not have time for deep cleaning. They hire housekeepers to manage household cleaning, laundry, and organizing.
6. ✅ Immigration and Workforce Programs
The Canadian government allows employers to hire foreign workers when there are shortages. Housekeeping is one of the jobs where foreign workers are often needed, especially under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
In short: Housekeepers are needed in Canada because there are not enough local workers, the tourism and healthcare industries keep growing, and many families and businesses depend on reliable cleaning services.

What is “Visa Sponsorship”?
Visa sponsorship means a Canadian employer supports your application to work in Canada. Practically, the employer either:
- applies for an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) that shows a Canadian could not be found for the job, or
- uses an LMIA-exempt route (rare for housekeepers), or
- hires under a caregiver/home-care program when those programs are open
- If the employer gets a positive LMIA, you use that to apply for an employer-specific work permit (tied to that employer). The IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) and Employment and Social Development Canada manage these rules. Always confirm the exact steps on Canada’s official sites.
Types Of Work Permits And Programs Relevant To Housekeepers
a) Employer-specific work permit (LMIA route)
Most housekeeper jobs that bring foreign workers require the employer to get a positive LMIA. The LMIA is the employer’s proof that no Canadian could fill the job and that hiring a foreign worker will not hurt the Canadian labour market. With a positive LMIA, you apply for an employer-specific work permit.
b) Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
Under the TFWP, employers can hire temporary foreign workers when there are labour shortages. Housekeepers may be hired under this program if the employer completes the LMIA process and meets program rules. Families can sometimes hire in-home caregivers through special TFWP caregiver routes.
c) Caregiver / Home Care Worker pathways
Canada has run caregiver pilots in recent years. Some earlier caregiver programs closed (for example the old Live-in Caregiver Program and certain pilots closed in 2024). New pilots and pathways have been introduced (and continue to change) to support home care workers and caregivers — these can give a clearer path to permanent residence for caregivers and some in-home support workers. Always check the IRCC caregiver pages for current openings and rules.
d) Provincial rules and employer registration
Provinces may have extra rules for employers who hire temporary foreign workers (for example, B.C. requires employer registration). Employers must follow both federal and provincial rules.
Who Hires Housekeepers in Canada?
Most of the time, applicants think that its only hone that employs house keeping workers, but that is not true, Housekeepers are hired by:
- Hotels, motels, and resorts (large demand in tourism areas).
- Cleaning companies and contracting agencies that supply staff to offices and businesses.
- Hospitals and health care facilities (special cleaning roles).
- Residential homes (private households) — sometimes under caregiver or domestic worker roles.
- Property managers and apartment complexes.
- Airlines, cruise lines (onboard housekeeping), and institutions (schools, universities).
Large hotel chains, private cleaning companies, and home care agencies are common employers. Many Canadian job sites list hundreds to thousands of cleaning and housekeeping vacancies at any time.
How Much is Salary for Housekeepers?
Below is a simple table of common housekeeper job salary ranges in Canada. Be known that payment depend on the city, employer, workers experience, and whether the occupation involves living in the same house with your boss or not.
| Job title | Salary per (hourly) | Salary per year (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Housekeeper / Room Attendant | CAD 15.00 – 25.00 / hr | CAD 31,000 – 52,000 | Varies by city and hotel quality. (Vancouver/Toronto often higher). |
| Housekeeping Supervisor / Lead | CAD 18.00 – 30.00 / hr | CAD 38,000 – 62,000 | Supervisor roles pay more; include management duties. |
| Live-in Housekeeper / Domestic Worker | CAD 15.00 – 24.00 / hr | CAD 31,000 – 50,000 | Live-in jobs may include room + board. Job Bank median ~CAD 18.90/hr. |
| Hospital/Healthcare Housekeeper | CAD 16.00 – 26.00 / hr | CAD 33,000 – 54,000 | Often need infection-control training |
| Commercial Cleaner / Janitor | CAD 15.00 – 22.00 / hr | CAD 31,000 – 45,000 | Many contract positions. |
| Personal / Private Home Cleaner | CAD 14.00 – 22.00 / hr | CAD 29,000 – 45,000 | Rates vary greatly by region and client. |
Sources for wages: Government Job Bank and job boards (Indeed, Talent.com). Wages change by province and time — use Job Bank for official local ranges.
How To Get A Sponsored Housekeeper Job in Canada: Step by Step:
Step 1 — Prepare a simple CV and work references
- Keep your CV clear: name, contact, past cleaning jobs, months/years worked, duties (room cleaning, laundry, floor care, inventory, chemical handling), and references (names + contacts).
- If you have training certificates (infection control, WHMIS, first aid), include them.
Step 2 — Search for employers who say “LMIA” or “visa sponsorship”
- Look for job ads that explicitly say “visa sponsorship” or “LMIA provided” or “hiring foreign workers”.
- Big hotel chains, cleaning companies, and home care agencies list openings on job boards and their websites. Job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor and the Government Job Bank are good places to start. (Links at the end.)
Step 3 — Apply and be honest in interviews
- Apply to jobs with tailored cover letters: mention cleaning experience, reliability, and willingness to travel or work shifts.
- During interview, be honest about your visa status. If the employer is willing to hire you, they will explain the LMIA/work permit steps.
Step 4 — Employer applies for LMIA (if required)
- If the employer cannot find a Canadian worker, they may apply for an LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Once LMIA is positive, they provide you with documents to apply for a work permit. This step is the employer’s responsibility, but you should follow up politely.
Step 5 — Apply for your work permit and visa
- Use the LMIA (or offer of employment number if LMIA-exempt) to apply to IRCC for a work permit.
- Sometimes you must apply for a temporary resident visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) depending on your nationality.
Step 6 — Travel, start work, follow rules
- When your permit is approved, travel to Canada with your documents: passport, work permit approval (or port of entry letter), job offer, LMIA copy (if any).
- Follow Canadian labour laws: get paid at least minimum wage, record hours, and get workplace safety information.
Documents You Will Need When Applying For A Job
- Valid passport (with enough pages and at least 6 months validity).
- Job offer letter from the Canadian employer.
- Copy of positive LMIA or offer of employment number (if LMIA-exempt).
- Completed application for a work permit (online or paper as directed).
- Police clearance (may be requested for some permits).
- Medical exam (if the job requires it, like healthcare settings).
- Proof of experience (reference letters, pay slips, certificates).
- Funds for travel and first weeks (some employers provide immediate pay; some do not).
Always check IRCC instructions carefully for document lists for your country.
Challenges Foreigners May Face and How To Avoid Scams
Common challenges
- Employer refuses to do LMIA because it’s costly or slow.
- You are promised a job but asked to pay large fees — this is suspicious.
- Fake job offers where the “employer” disappears after you pay for a visa service.
How to avoid scams
- Never pay an employer for a job. Employers may ask you to pay for relocation in some cases, but be cautious and get everything in writing.
- Check the employer’s website and reviews; look them up on LinkedIn or local business registries.
- Use official government sites to verify LMIA steps. If someone asks you to pay a private person for “visa approval”, it’s likely a scam.
- Use regulated immigration consultants or lawyers (and verify their credentials) if you need paid help. Registration is required for immigration consultants in Canada.
Life And Work Conditions for Housekeepers in Canada
- Shifts and hours: Many housekeeping jobs have shift work (mornings, evenings). Hotels need staff early and late. Cleaning companies may assign day-time or evening shifts.
- Workload: Fast pace in hotels (many rooms per shift). Hospitals and special facilities may require extra training for infection control.
- Live-in roles: Some live-in jobs include a private room and meals. Check working hours and overtime rules in writing.
- Workers’ rights: You have workplace protections regarding minimum wage, overtime, and safety. If you work in a province, check its labour standards website (e.g., Ontario, BC, Alberta).
- Cost of living: Cities like Toronto and Vancouver have higher rent and living costs; wages there are often higher but expenses are too. Plan your budget.
How a Housekeeper Job Can Lead To Permanent Residence
This simply means you can stay in Canada for lifetime if you wish after you are secured a job as house keeper over there. Some pathways can allow you to move from temporary work to permanent residence:
- Caregiver/Home Care Worker pilots (when open) can provide a path to PR for eligible caregivers. These programs change over time; check IRCC for current pilots and criteria.
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Some provinces nominate workers who have job offers and are working in the province. If your employer and job meet provincial criteria, you might qualify for nomination and then apply for PR.
- Express Entry: Housekeeping roles are usually lower-skilled and may not directly qualify for Express Entry, but experience and other factors (language, education) can sometimes make pathways possible through specific streams.
Important: Rules change. Always check the latest IRCC and provincial pages for up-to-date routes.
Where To Apply For Housekeeper Job
Below are helpful places to search for real job and employer information. these are list of trusted online portals to use and submit your application
- Government of Canada — Work permit information: goto — www.canada.ca
- Job Bank (official jobs + wage data): visit — www.jobbank.gc.ca
- Indeed Canada (many housekeeping listings): ….. www.ca.indeed.com
- LinkedIn Jobs — www.linkedin.com/jobs/
- Glassdoor (company reviews + jobs) — www.glassdoor.ca/Job/index.htm
- CanadaVisa / Canadavisa.com — immigration guidance and caregiver updates — www.canadavisa.com/
Conclusion
Working in Canada as a housekeeper is possible for foreigners, but it requires planning. Most sponsored jobs require an employer to apply for an LMIA and then you apply for an employer-specific work permit. Wages vary by province and employer, with Job Bank and job sites showing typical hourly rates between about CAD 15 and CAD 25 (higher in large cities and in supervisors/manager positions). Caregiver/home-care pathways sometimes provide another route, but these programs change over time — check IRCC frequently. Use trusted job boards, prepare a clear CV, and beware of scams. With patience and the right employer, you can arrive with legal work authorization and begin your Canadian experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I come to Canada as a housekeeper without an employer?
A: Usually no. Most housekeeper roles need a job offer and an employer who will either get an LMIA or provide an offer-of-employment number. You generally cannot enter Canada just looking for a housekeeping job.
Q2: How long does the LMIA process take?
A: Timing varies. It can take weeks to months depending on the employer’s paperwork and service volume at ESDC. There is no fixed short time — ask the employer for their expected timeline.
Q3: Do employers have to pay for my travel or fees?
A: Employers are not always required to pay travel costs. Some do offer help; others do not. Never pay an employer for a visa promise. If an employer asks you to pay private fees for visa approvals, be careful — this could be a scam.
Q4: Are live-in housekeeper jobs common?
A: Live-in roles exist but are less common than hotel/contract cleaning roles. Live-in jobs often include accommodation and may have different labour rules. Check job conditions carefully.
Q5: Can housekeeping experience lead to permanent residency?
A: Possibly. Some caregiver and home-care pilots and certain provincial streams offer paths to PR. However, many housekeeping jobs are classified at lower skill levels which may limit Express Entry options. Always check specific program requirements.
Final practical checklist
- Prepare a clear CV and reference letters.
- Search official job boards (Job Bank, Indeed, LinkedIn)
- Apply only to real companies; verify them online.
- Ask if the employer will do LMIA or provides an offer-of-employment number.
- Keep copies of all documents and follow IRCC guidance when applying for a permit.
GO AHEAD AND APPLY FOR THE JOB, GET IT AND TRAVEL ABROAD!