Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot to Launch in 2019
Canada's IRCC announced on February 23, 2019, they are launching 2 new foreign caregiver immigration pilot programs so caregivers can come to Canada with their family and provide them a pathway to become permanent residents:
- Occupation-specific work permits for caregivers, providing the ability to change jobs quickly when necessary.
- Open work permits for spouses/common-law partners and study permits for dependent children, to allow the caregiver’s family to accompany them to Canada.
Both pilot programs are for 5 years and will replace the current in-home caregiver pilot programs that expire soon, and which IRCC said are ineffective. The Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot will launch later this year and have a maximum of 2,750 principal applicants each, for a total of 5,500 principal applicants, per year. Spouses/common-law partners and dependent children will not count against the limit.
These pilot programs will replace the Caring for Children and Caring for People with High Medical Needs programs. The new pilot program applicants will be assessed to determine if they meet Canada permanent residence criteria before they begin working in Canada. Once the caregiver has their work permit and 2 years of work experience in Canada, they will have access to a direct pathway to become a permanent resident.
“Caregivers provide care to families in Canada that need it, and it’s time for Canada to care for them in return. We are providing them with both the opportunity to bring their family members here and access permanent residency to demonstrate our commitment.”
– The Honourable Ahmed Hussen,
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Interim Pathway for Caregivers Opens March 4, 2019, until June 4, 2019
IRCC has launched the Interim Pathway for Caregivers program to provide qualified in-home caregivers an opportunity to stay in Canada permanently. The program will take applications for 3 months only, from March 4 - June 4, 2019. This program will provide a pathway to permanent residence for caregivers who came to Canada in good faith under the previous program and are providing care to Canadians but do not have a clear pathway to permanent residence under the current system. Applicants must meet caregiver permanent residence IRCC qualifications for status. work, language and education criteria.
Work Permits for Live-in Caregivers in Canada
Do you want a work permit as a live-in caregiver in Canada? Live-in caregivers in Canada must be qualified to provide care for the elderly, disabled or children. They work in private homes and do not have direct supervision as they do their jobs. In Canada, to be deemed a live-in caregiver, the worker must live in the home of the employer.
