January 2021 Policy Update

This is a notice regarding policy updates for 2021.

Due to the impact of COVID-19, Adanac Au Pair is not able to place new Au Pairs until at least July 2021. We want to let you know now so you have time to find suitable childcare for your family in the interim.

Our Au Pairs receive their work permit through International Experience Canada (IEC), a federal program encouraging young adults to travel and work across Canada.

IEC stopped accepting new applicants in March 2020 due to the global pandemic and in November 2020, they officially made an announcement to stop applications for the year. We do not know when IEC will start accepting applications again.

In addition, with no federal updates about work permit applications, the rising number of COVID-19 cases globally, increased lockdown measures, and continued border restrictions in our Au Pairs’ home countries, we are forced to stop placing Au Pairs at this time.

We are hopeful IEC will start accepting applications in the coming months. As soon as the program opens, we will work with our partner agencies abroad to have applicants apply as quickly as possible. Please keep in mind that Au Pairs can wait months to receive their work permit through IEC. We also want to remind you that you must be matched with an Au Pair for at least four weeks before they arrive in Canada.

This is not a guarantee. Au Pairs require this work permit to join your family. Given the information we have now, a July 2021 arrival is our best estimate.

We will continue to provide updates as this situation evolves through our newsletter, social media and website.

If your family would like an Au Pair to join you next summer, let us know. If you are an existing client of ours, we will email your Host Family Application Form back to you—please update your form with any changes. If you are a new client, we can email you the documents to apply. This will save us a step when we can start placing Au Pairs again.

We sincerely apologize for any difficulties this circumstance may cause your family. We look forward to connecting you with an excellent Au Pair as soon as we are able.

Kind regards,
Sarah Kelly and the Adanac Au Pair team