Caregiver Pilot Program for Support Workers
Canada has two caregiver pilot programs introduced in 2019 to help foreign nationals who work as caregivers become permanent residents of Canada. These programs are:
- Home Child Care Provider Pilot
- Home Support Worker Pilot
Home Child Care Provider Pilot (NOC 44100)
This program is designed for foreign nationals whowork in Canada as caregivers for children under the age of 18.
Successful applicants under this program will begranted an occupation-restricted closed work permit.
This pilot program does not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
After completing 2 years* of work experience as a home child care provider, they may be eligible to apply for permanent residence. If the candidate has recently worked as a home childcare provider or support worker, your experience may count towards your eligibility for permanent residence.
*Note: The amount of work experience in Canada required for a caregiver to qualify for permanent residence is being reduced from 24 months to 12 months. The change will be effective as of April 30, 2023,and will be retrospective for caregivers who have already applied. Learn more.
Home Support Worker Pilot (NOC 44101)
This program is designed for foreign nationals whowork in Canada as caregivers for seniors or persons with disabilities.
Successful applicants under this program will begranted an occupation-restricted closed work permit.
This pilot program does not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Successful applicants under this program will be granted an occupation-restricted closed work permit.
After completing 2 years* of work experience as a home child care provider, they may be eligible to apply for permanent residence. If the candidate has recently worked as a home childcare provider or support worker, your experience may count towards your eligibility for permanent residence.
*Note: The amount of work experience in Canada required for a caregiver to qualify for permanent residence is being reduced from 24 months to 12 months. The change will be effective as of April 30, 2023,and will be retrospective for caregivers who have already applied. Learn more.
Eligibility
Education |
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Language requirement |
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Qualifying Canadian work experience |
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Full-time work |
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Breaks in work experience |
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Additional requirements for applicants under Category A (Gaining experience)
Applicantswho do not have at least 24 months of qualifying Canadian workexperience must also provide proof of both of the following:
- A job offer
- The ability to perform the work.
Job offer
- From a single Canadian employer
- For a position outside the province of Quebec
- For full-time employment (full-time means at least 30 hours of paid work per week)
- Non-seasonal
- In a home childcare provider or home support worker occupation
- Genuine and likely to be valid when the applicant is issued the initial OROWP.
Job offer from a relative
- An applicant being related to theiremployer does not make them ineligible under the pilots.
Live-in Caregiver Program
Candidates can apply for PR under this stream only if they have at least 2 years of workexperience in the program and:
- Are already working in Canada with a Live-in Caregiver Program work permit, or
- were approved for the first LCP work permit based on a Labour Market Impact Assessment submitted to Employment and Social Development Canada on or before November 30, 2014
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) for caregivers
If you are not able to meet the permanent residencerequirements as a caregiver, you may be able to work temporarily in Canada.
How to apply to extend your work permit?
- If you’recurrently working in Canada as a caregiver, you may extend your work permit through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program(TFWP).
- It will be necessary for the employer to apply and get a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for the job.
How to apply for a new work permit as a caregiver?
Eligibility
- Candidates may apply through the TFWP if one of these applies to them:
A new workpermit (that needs an LMIA) cannot be applied for in the following cases:
- The employer applied for an LMIA on or after June 18, 2019, and
- The candidate applies for a work permit at a port of entry on or after April 22, 2022.
- The candidate is in Canada as a visitor and apply for your first work permit on or after April 22, 2022.
Closed programs
- Caring for Children Program
This program ended on June 18, 2019. It has been replaced by the Home Child Care Provider Pilot program. - Caring for People with High Medical Needs Program
This program ended on June 18, 2019. It is replaced by the Home Support Worker Pilot program. - Interim Pathway for Caregivers
This temporary pathway opened on March 4th, 2019,and ended on October 8, 2019. It was introduced as a temporary measure to help certain individuals who were not able to apply for permanent residence under the previous caregiver programs.
FAQs
What is the Caregiver Pilot Program?
The Caregiver Pilot Program is an immigration initiative in Canada designed to provide a pathway to permanent residency for individuals providing care to Canadian families. It replaces the previous caregiver programs with updated requirements and pathways.
Who is eligible to apply for the Caregiver Pilot Program?
Eligible candidates for the Caregiver Pilot Program include individuals providing care to children or individuals with high medical needs in Canada. Candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria, including work experience, language proficiency, and a genuine job offer from a Canadian employer.
What are the benefits of participating in the Caregiver Pilot Program?
Participation in the Caregiver Pilot Program offers successful candidates the opportunity to obtain permanent residency in Canada, providing stability and opportunities for career growth within the caregiving sector. It recognizes the valuable contributions of caregivers to Canadian families and society.
How can I apply for the Caregiver Pilot Program?
To apply for the Caregiver Pilot Program, candidates must first secure a job offer from a Canadian employer to work as a caregiver. Once the job offer is obtained, candidates can submit their application for the program, ensuring they meet all eligibility requirements and provide the necessary documentation.
What sets the Caregiver Pilot Program apart from previous caregiver programs?
The Caregiver Pilot Program introduces updated requirements and pathways to permanent residency, aiming to improve the caregiver immigration process and provide greater stability for caregivers and their families in Canada. It emphasizes the importance of caregiving roles and recognizes their significant contributions to Canadian society.