At the Canadian consulate in Manila, Philipines, it can take 6 months for a nanny to get an interview in order to get a work permit for live-in caregiver work in Canada.

However, I've heard that at the visa office in Seattle USA I can apply and get my visa in one day. Is this true or must I apply in advance of visiting the visa office. How long can I expect it to take?

Thank you in advance.

As I always say, there are no guarantees when it comes to getting a visa. But it is true that the procedure for applying varies greatly depending on which Canadian Consulate or Embassy you apply at. And the information you received is correct.The Canadian Embassy in Seattle handles visa applications over the counter and in most cases you will receive a decision the same day as you apply. (Please Note:There is a list of a few countries from which people will not receive decisions on their visa applications the same day...even in Seattle.)
You do not have to apply in advance of visiting the visa office. Check their website for their office hours and take your work permit application form all your documentation with you when you go. Within three or four hours, you will know if you will be issued a work permit.

I have a friend here on a tourist visa - has the qualifications for the live-in caregiver program -- but she doesn't have a US visa in order to submit her application to Seatle. Is there another option? Can she mail it in?

No she can not mail it in. She can mail in her request to change the conditions of her visa and they may very well issue her a work permit to work as a live-in caregiver. But she will find at the end of the process that she has not qualified herself for immigration because she was never in the Live-in Caregiver Program. She must apply from outside of Canada.

That's what I thought -- thanks for the info. So how does it work for those students you have that is taking the caregiver course that you offer -- don't they have to leave and submit the application outside? I wonder if my friend could just take the course with you - stay here and apply that way?

Yes, all my students have to leave the country. Most of them do not have to have visas to go to the USA so it is not a problem and they go to Seattle. Those who do have to get a visa to go to the USA...well, we apply for a visa. There are no guarantees but so far we have never had a problem.