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Throughout the years, Canada has had different specific immigration programs designed to help foreign caregivers come to the country and eventually become permanent residents. These programs have been primarily aimed at individuals who provide care for children, elderly persons, or people with high medical needs.
Do you want to become a PR in Canada? At INGWE we could support you! Get a FREE email assessment with one of our licensed immigration consultants. We speak over +8 languages and we have helped applicants from +50 countries in their immigration path to Canada. Fill out our form, click here.
On June 17th, the five-year Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilot programs unexpectedly came to an end, catching many by surprise. This sudden closure followed closely on the heels of a significant announcement from the federal government just a few days earlier. On June 3rd, 2024, a new direct pathway to permanent residency for caregivers was announced, generating great expectations for those in the sector. The introduction of this new pathway is part of the government’s broader efforts to streamline the immigration process, ensuring that caregivers can access permanent residency more efficiently.
This new initiative is designed with the dual purpose of protecting caregivers from potential exploitation by employers while simultaneously addressing the growing demand for care workers in an aging population. The government's goal is to create a more flexible and rapid pathway that allows caregivers to seek better job opportunities while meeting the sector's high demands.
As part of the 2024–2026 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada aims to admit over 15,000 caregivers as permanent residents, reflecting the ongoing commitment to this essential workforce.
Do you want to become a PR in Canada? At INGWE we could support you! Get a FREE email assessment with one of our licensed immigration consultants. We speak over +8 languages and we have helped applicants from +50 countries in their immigration path to Canada. Fill out our form, click here.
The now-concluded Home Child Care Provider Pilot was a program tailored for individuals with experience in caring for children. It provided successful applicants with the opportunity to come to Canada on a work permit and, after gaining sufficient work experience, apply for permanent residency. Eligibility criteria for this pilot included a job offer in Canada as a home child care provider, at least one year of post-secondary education, language proficiency in English or French (CLB 5), relevant child care experience, and the ability to perform the duties of a home child care provider.
Similarly, the Home Support Worker Pilot targeted individuals who provide care for elderly persons or people with disabilities in private homes. Like the Child Care Provider Pilot, this program allowed successful applicants to work in Canada and eventually apply for permanent residency. The eligibility criteria were the same, requiring a job offer in Canada as a home support worker and experience in providing home support services.
Do you want to become a PR in Canada? At INGWE we could support you! Get a FREE email assessment with one of our licensed immigration consultants. We speak over +8 languages and we have helped applicants from +50 countries in their immigration path to Canada. Fill out our form, click here.
For both pilot programs, applicants with less than 12 months of caregiving experience in Canada were able to apply under the "Gaining Experience" category. This option was available to those who had never worked full-time as a caregiver in Canada or who had less than 12 months of experience.
When applying, candidates submitted a work permit application along with their permanent residence (PR) application. If they met the eligibility requirements, they were issued a work permit allowing them to work as a caregiver for any employer. Once they had completed at least 12 months of qualifying work experience, they needed to submit proof to IRCC, which would then make a final decision on their PR application.
If the applicant had worked full-time as a caregiver in Canada for 12 months or more within the last 36 months, they were able to apply under the "Direct to Permanent Residence" category.
The qualifying work experience for both pilots needed to be in one of two specific NOCs: home child care provider (NOC 4411) or home support worker (NOC 4412). A combination of experience from both NOCs was not accepted.
The applicant's work experience needed to closely align with the NOC job description, and they were expected to have experience in most of the main duties listed. The required 12 months of full-time work experience did not need to be consecutive but could be accumulated over the 36-month period before the permanent residence application was submitted and the proof of work experience was provided.
In contrast, the new PR pathway has simplified eligibility requirements by implementing the following changes:
* No LMIA required
* A year of Canadian post-secondary education (or a foreign equivalent) is no longer required. Instead, the applicants must hold the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma.
* Applicants only need 6 months of work experience, instead of 12, to qualify.
* A minimum of level 4 based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB).
* They will also be permitted to work for “organizations that provide temporary or part-time care for people who are semi-independent or recovering from an injury or illness.
Do you want to become a PR in Canada? At INGWE we could support you! Get a FREE email assessment with one of our licensed immigration consultants. We speak over +8 languages and we have helped applicants from +50 countries in their immigration path to Canada. Fill out our form, click here.
The specific details of the new program are expected to be released in fall 2024 or winter 2025. We recommend that those interested start preparing to submit their applications as soon as the program opens, as a cap on the number of applicants is expected.
Familiarizing yourself with the specifications of the previously discussed programs can provide valuable insight into the documents you’ll need to gather for the new initiative. These may include:
* Complete and detailed resume
* Proof of previous employment experiences, including employment reference letters and payslips
* covid vaccination certificate and other immunization certificates
We recommend obtaining your CPR and first aid certificate
* A food services certificate can also be obtained easily online
* A credential assessment report for your studies is advisable
In summary, while all current pathways for caregivers have been paused, there is still strong hope that new and enhanced options will become available soon. Ensure you’re prepared so you don’t miss out on this direct PR opportunity.
If you’re thinking about immigrating whether permanently or temporarily - you’re at the right place! Our team speaks over +9 languages, and we help applicants from over 50 different countries during their immigration process. Get a FREE email assessment, click here.
If you’re ready to apply and would like a 1-on-1 session with me or one of immigration team members at INGWE, you can also book a session directly using this consultation link.
