Canada Caregiver Program
The Caregiver Programs are programs specifically designed by the Canadian government for caregivers who desire to work or live in Canada permanently. If you are a caregiver and wish to move to Canada to live and work, you can apply to any of the new caregiver programs established by the Canadian government.
Caregivers play a major part in the economy and society of Canada. Because of its aging population and low birth rate, Canada offers a variety of immigration and work permit options to caregivers.
Canada Caregiver Program Options
Canada offers various caregiver programs for employees, some of which have been replaced by new ones since they were not assisting workers in obtaining simple access to Canada Permanent Residence through the experience class.
Pilot Program for Home Child Care Providers
Home child care providers assist busy parents in caring for their children and may be requested to assist with home responsibilities. Care can be provided in either the employee’s or their employer’s home.
This pilot is open to applicants interested in positions such as a(n):
- Au pair babysitter
- Childminder on-site
- Childminder in the home
- Nanny Parent’s Assistant
- Foster caretaker
- Childminder in a public place, such as a gym or shopping mall
Pilot Program for Home Support Workers
Home support worker providers attempt to assist senior persons, those with impairments, and people through rehabilitation. Preparing meals, feeding, washing, changing dressings, administering prescriptions, and other basic housekeeping activities are usual responsibilities.
This pilot is open to applicants interested in positions such as a(n):
- Persons with impairments who require at-home assistance
- Caregiver in the family
- Home health aide
- Housekeeper
- Older people live-in carer
- Personal assistant (home support)
- Attendant for personal care (home care)
- Worker on call (home support)
- Doula
- Visitor at home (infant care)
Caring for People with High Medical Needs Pathway
The Caring For People with High Medical Needs Pathway is a TFWP-aligned program that allows foreign workers to get a temporary work permit in Canada to work as caretakers. The program has been superseded by the Home Support Worker Program, and applications have not been accepted since June 2019.
You must have at least 24 months of full-time job experience in any in-demand occupation to be eligible for this program:
- NOC 3012
- NOC 3233
- NOC 3413
- NOC 4412
Live-in Caregiver Program
The Live-in Caregiver Program permits foreigners to apply for permanent residency in Canada on the basis that they may work as carers to children, individuals with disabilities, or older people without supervision.
You must have the following qualifications to apply for permanent residency under this program:
- Minimum two years of LCP experience
- Already working in Canada with LCP work permit
- Based on a Labour Market Impact Assessment completed to Employment and Social Development Canada on or before November 30, 2014, you were authorized for your first LCP work permit.
Work experience that qualifies
The following information is provided by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regarding its work experience criteria for pilots:
- You must have at least 24 months of full-time job experience during the 36 months preceding your application to a pilot program.
- Work experience must correspond to National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes 4411 or 4412.
- Your employment experience must be in one of these positions; it cannot be a combination of both positions.
- You must demonstrate that your job matched the NOC job description and that you accomplished the majority of the main duties.
- Your employment experience does not have to be continuous for 24 months. It only needs to be 24 months in total.
Full-time work is defined as at least 30 hours of paid work per week.
Language proficiency
You must pass an IRCC-approved English or French language test with a CLB or NCLC 5 in all four language skills: writing, reading, listening and speaking.
Education
You must have completed at least one year of post-secondary education. This might be either a Canadian or a foreign education. If you are studying abroad, you must get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
Admissibility
The IRCC conducts admissibility checks on permanent residency applicants to ensure that new immigrants do not endanger Canadians’ health and safety. Depending on their background, each applicant must present different documentation. In its application guidance, IRCC defines its prerequisites. You may be required to submit the following documents depending on your background:
- Biometrics
- Medical examination
- Certificate of police clearance
It is critical to thoroughly study IRCC’s application requirements to determine what papers you must submit personally.
Caregivers’ Work Permit Pathways
If you apply for one of the pilot positions and/or are presently residing in Canada, you may be eligible for a work permit. The following are the work permit rules:
Open Work Permits for Home Child Care Providers and Home Support Worker Pilot Applicants
Under these pilots, IRCC divides applications into two categories. The categories are determined by whether the applicant has 24 months of qualifying Canadian work experience under NOC 4411 or NOC 4412.
If you have 0 to 23 months of acceptable Canadian work experience: Apply to Category A. You have less than 24 months of NOC 4411 or NOC 4412 work experience in Canada, you must apply for an occupation-restricted open work permit when you apply for permanent residence under either program. If you meet all of the conditions for permanent residency, you will be granted a work visa restricted to NOC 4411 or NOC 4412, allowing you to come to Canada as a temporary resident and gain 24 months of work experience within three years. The three-year period begins on the date that the work permit is approved