n January 1st, at 9 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), fresh applications will be accepted for the two Canada caregiver programs: the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot.
Under the two pilot projects, 5,500 applications are anticipated to be accepted for new submissions in total in 2024.
Additionally, the maximum number of applicants under these pilot programs is now split into two categories: those for direct entry into permanent residence and those for gaining experience.
Furthermore, Canada has now lowered the 12-month minimum work experience requirement for in-country caregivers seeking permanent residence (PR).
In the past, caregivers in Canada needed to have 24 months of experience in order to apply for permanent residency status.
What are Canada Caregiver Programs?
Under two 5-year pilot programs, the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot, qualifying family members and caregivers can enter Canada on a work permit with the goal of obtaining permanent residency.
Applicants must have a job offer from a Canadian family in order to apply for any of these programs and an LMIA is not necessary.
Following the receipt of a job offer, qualified applicants may apply for an occupation-restricted work permit, travel to Canada, and take a temporary job to obtain experience.
These applicants may submit an application for permanent residence after collecting one year of experience in Canada.
You might be able to apply for permanent residence through one of these pilot programs if you’ve been offered a position as a caregiver in Canada or if you have prior experience working as a caregiver in Canada.
Occupations eligible for Canada Caregiver Program
If you have worked one of the following National Occupational Classification (NOC) jobs full-time in Canada, you are eligible to use your work experience for permanent residency:
| Home child care providers (NOC 44100) | Home Support Worker Pilot (NOC 44101) |
|---|---|
| Babysitter Child care live-in caregiver Child care provider, private home Nanny Parent’s helper Babysitter, fitness centre Babysitter, shopping centre | Attendant for persons with disabilities—home care Family caregiver Home support worker Live-in caregivers: seniors Personal aide and home support Personal care attendant (home care) Respite worker: home support |
Home child care provider (NOC 44100)
- You must care for children in your own home or in your employer’s private home.
- The location can’t be an institutional setting such as a daycare.
- You don’t need to live in your employer’s home to qualify.
- Experience as a foster parent doesn’t count.
Home support worker (NOC 44101)
- You must care for someone who needs help from a home support worker in your employer’s private home.
- The location can’t be an institutional setting such as a nursing home.
- You don’t need to live in your employer’s home to qualify.
There are two categories under these pilot programs
| Gaining Experience Category | Direct-to-Permanent Residency (PR) Category |
|---|---|
| This category is for applicants if they have not worked “OR” have less than 12 months of experience in any of the occupations under NOC 44100 or NOC 44101. | This category is for applicants if they have total of 12 months or more experience (in last 36 months) in any of the occupations under NOC 44100 or NOC 44101 |
| Eligible candidates get work permit to accumulate 12 months of experience in Canada and can than apply for Direct Permanent residency after gaining the full experience and becoming eligible under Direct to Permanent Residency Category | To apply for PR, applicants need: 1. At least 12 months of full-time work experience in Canada in the last 36 months 2. Post-secondary education of at least 1 year 3. Any past experience or training that demonstrates the candidate is able to do the work described in the job offer |
| To apply for a work permit, applicants need: 1. A valid full-time job offer (IMM 5983 E) 2. CLB level 5 in English or French (IELTS = Reading 4 and rest of the modules 5) 3. Post-secondary education of at least 1 year 4. Any past experience or training that demonstrates the candidate is able to do the work described in the job offer |
What kind of job offer is needed for Canada Caregiver Pilot Programs?
You must have a genuine and valid employment offer in order to begin or complete the work experience required for permanent residency through the Home Child Care Provider or Home Support Worker Pilot.
No Labour Market Impact Assessment, LMIA, or LMO is needed to apply for caregiver programs.
Your offered position has to be full-time (at least 30 hours of paid labour per week) outside of Quebec, from a Canadian individual or family who is not a company, an embassy, a high commission, or a consulate
This job offer must be extended using the Offer of Employment IMM 5983 (PDF, 2.33 MB) form. This form can only be opened on a desktop after downloading it.
It must be from a credible source, indicating that there is a genuine need to hire you, either for their own care or the care of someone like a parent, spouse, or child.
The Canadian immigration department also evaluates the pay that your job offer includes.
It must demonstrate that working as a caregiver in Canada will allow you to maintain a stable financial situation for you and your family.
How To Apply
You can use the official IRCC guide for home child care providers and home support workers to be ready for January 1st, depending on your situation.
The online application gateway via the new permanent residence portal is where eligible individuals can submit their applications.
Important: The Home Child Care Provider Pilot typically has a high fill rate. To learn “How to get ready for January 1 and apply,” click this link.
When will the Canada Caregiver Program 2024 open?
The Canada Caregiver Program 2024 is expected to open on January 1, 2024.
Source: https://immigrationnewscanada.ca/canada-caregiver-program-2024/
