If you are an experienced caregiver with a job offer in Canada, then you can apply for permanent residency.
The Caregiver programs were created to encourage professional caregivers from around the world to immigrate to Canada for work.
The old expired or soon expiring programs were replaced by a new caregiver pilot program launched June 18, 2019.
The new pilot programs have replaced the Caring for Children and Caring for People with High Medical Needs programs. The new pilots provide new freedoms to the caregivers.
Caregivers will be allowed to change employers when necessary. Caregivers will also be eligible to add accompanying family members to their permanent residency applications. That means their spouses or common-law partners will be eligible to apply for open work permits.
What are the Different Caregiver Programs for Obtaining Permanent Residency?
Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP): This program is currently closed for applications.
However, you could still apply for permanent residency through this program if you have 2 years experience and:
Home Child Care Program: The Home Child Care program opened for applicants on June 18, 2019, replacing the Caring for Children program. This is a 5-year program that allows professional caregivers to immigrate to Canada with accompanying family members.
As a caregiver, you would require a valid job offer from a Canadian employer or work experience in Canada.
You will be eligible for the program if you:
- Have education equivalent to the Canadian Secondary School level
- Have appropriate training
- Have appropriate experience with household management experience
- Have first aid training if required
Home Support Worker Program: The Home Support Worker program replaced the Caring for People with High Medical Needs program.
This program allows professional caregivers with experience in caring for senior citizens, disabled people, and seriously ill people undergoing medical treatment.
The caregivers are allowed to live at the employer’s residence. Therefore, home management experience is mandatory. Caregivers are hired by home care and support agencies, private households, or can be self-employed.
As a caregiver, you must meet the following requirements to be eligible for this program:
- Have education equivalent to secondary school
- Home management experience
- Have a degree or diploma for in-home support
- Have experience in caring for elderly, disabled people and people undergoing treatment for serious illnesses
- Have first aid training, if required
Interim Pathway for Caregivers: Interim Pathways for Caregivers is currently not accepting applications.
However, you could be eligible for this program if:
- You have a work permit other than a work permit acquired through the Live-in Caregiver Program
- You do not intend to live in Quebec
- Have at least 1 year of full-time Canadian work experience as a caregiver
- Have education equivalent to Canadian Secondary School
- Have to be minimally proficient in English or French
What are the Requirements of the New Caregiver Pilot Programs?
You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the new caregiver pilot programs:
- Have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer or work experience in Canada
- Achieve the minimum requirements on language tests
- Have 1 year of post-secondary education in Canada or a foreign equivalent
- Clear the admissibility requirements to enter Canada [Explanations on the different grounds for inadmissibility]
The applications for the Caregiver Program are processed based on the applicant’s qualifying work experience. There are 3 possible scenarios:
- You have no qualifying experience
- You have 24 months of qualifying experience
- You have qualifying experience of 24 months and more
Your experience as a foster parent, if any, is not considered as qualifying experience for the Caregiver Program.