Canada is reaffirming its commitment to improving life for middle-class immigrants and family reunification. Immigration, Refugees and Citizen's Canada (IRCC) is providing more pathways to permanent residence and has launched 2 new pilot programs for in-home caregivers from outside of Canada, replacing caregiver pilot programs that expired on June 18, 2019. IRCC is also temporarily re-opening a pathway for caregivers who initially applied for permanent residence through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
Interim Pathway for Caregivers
The Interim Pathway for Caregivers will re-open on July 8 and accept applications for 3 months. This pathway is for caregivers who came to Canada as temporary foreign workers since 2014 but were unable to qualify for permanent residence through an existing program, will be extended. This pathway is for caregivers who live outside of Quebec and is for caregivers who have acquired work experience in Canada since November 30, 2014, as a home childcare provider, home support worker or a combination of both through Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
To apply for the Interim Pathway for Caregivers, applicant requirements include:
- have a valid work permit
- have applied to extend your work permit and be waiting on a decision
- have applied to restore your status as a worker
- your qualifying work experience must be while working in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and your employer would have needed to get an LMIA before hiring you
Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilot Programs
Launching June 19, 2019, the Home Child Care Provider and the Home Support Worker are 5-year pilot programs that let qualified caregivers and their family members come to Canada to become a permanent resident after 2 years of work experience in Canada.
- Employers will no longer need an LMIA for hiring caregivers from overseas
- Work permits will be occupation specific, instead of the previous employer specific, so caregivers can change jobs.
- There is a maximum of 2,750 principal applicants per year, plus their immediate family.
- Caregivers' immediate families are eligible for open work permits and/or study permits.
- There is an initial 12-month application processing standard to provide proof of work experience.
Note:
Applications for the Caring for Children and Caring for People with High Medical Needs pilots that were filed before June 18 will still be processed, but applications will no longer be accepted through these pilots after that date.
Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Ahmed Hussen, said in a news release,
Canada is caring for our caregivers. We made a commitment to improve the lives of caregivers and their families who come from around the world to care for our loved ones and with these new pilots, were are doing exactly that.”
Contact a qualified immigration lawyer who can help you find out if you are qualified for any of Canada's caregiver programs.
