Given the immense contribution of foreign caregiver professionals in Canada’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the government body of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has decided to commit to prioritizing over 6,000 foreign caregiver applicants for permanent residence by the end of this year in acknowledgment of their hard work and dedication towards saving Canadian lives.
The IRCC also committed to making first-stage decisions on approx. 1,500 Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilot Program applications by June 30, 2021.
Why Were These Decisions Prioritized by the IRCC?
Last year, Canada announced its immigration levels target for 2021-23 to invite over 401,000 new immigrants every year. However, given the ongoing global pandemic and the imposed travel restrictions to control the spread of the deadly virus, it has become increasingly difficult to invite new immigrants from overseas. Therefore, the IRCC is planning to encourage the maximum number of transitions from temporary residence to permanent residence. Targeting caregivers is part of that plan. This way Canada can acknowledge their importance by offering them better work opportunities and permanent residence for them and their families in Canada.
While the IRCC is still in the process of digitizing various immigration programs to replace paper-based applications, the government body has assured that applicants to the caregiver programs will receive their acknowledgment receipt letters by May 31, 2021. This temporary policy took effect on May 3, 2021. Applicants who applied for the Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilot Program in 2020 will not be required to reapply.
The IRCC will also prioritize new applications for caregiver work permits to be issued to applicants who have a valid offer of employment from a Canadian employer.
