J-1 visa for au pair - valid in Canada?

Question

Our au pair left the country, and has decided to work in Canada. She had a valid J-1 visa while living with us, but what happens to her now? I thought if she ended her work arrangement with us, she was required to return to her home country (Mexico). Is she in Canada illegally? If so, what are the consequences?

Answer 1

It's fairly easy for a person with child care experience to get a caregiver visa in Canada, so called nanny visa.  If they do that for 2 years, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency.

It shouldn't take more than a couple of months to get a temporary work permit issued for that so she may have been working on it before she left your employment.

If she is working illegally, she would be deported if caught but she would be stupid to work illegally when it's so easy to get a work permit here.

Answer 2

J-1 visa applies only in US. If she's a professional, she can probably stay in Canada legally, otherwise she is illegal there.