Canada is a country that values the essential role of caregivers. These dedicated individuals provide invaluable support to children, seniors, and others requiring care, ensuring their well-being and quality of life. In recognition of their contributions, Canada offers a range of programs to assist caregivers with finding employment and obtaining permanent residency.
Canada’s commitment to supporting caregivers is evident in its comprehensive caregiver programs. These programs are designed to attract and retain skilled and experienced individuals who are passionate about providing high-quality care. By streamlining the immigration process and offering various support measures, Canada ensures that caregivers have the opportunity to establish a fulfilling career and a permanent home in the country.
Significant Changes in Canada’s Caregiver Program
Canada’s caregiver program has undergone significant transformations, introducing greater flexibility and opportunities for foreign caregivers seeking to contribute to the country’s caregiving sector. The new program marks a departure from the employer-driven and employer-specific approach of the old program, offering caregivers more autonomy and expanded options.
Employer-Driven but No Longer Employer-Specific
While the new program remains employer-driven, meaning caregivers still require job offers from Canadian employers to qualify, it eliminates the restriction of being bound to a specific employer. Caregivers now receive occupation-specific work permits, granting them the freedom to work for multiple employers or relocate to different locations within their designated occupation. This flexibility empowers caregivers to pursue career opportunities that align with their skills and preferences.
Accompanying Spouses and Dependent Children
The new program also addresses the previous restriction on caregivers bringing their dependent spouses and children to Canada. Under the updated program, spouses and dependent children can accompany the principal applicant at the work permit stage, allowing families to remain united during the caregiver’s work tenure. This change recognizes the importance of family support and fosters a more welcoming environment for caregivers.
Eligibility for Pathways to Permanent Residency for Caregivers
To qualify for permanent residence under the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot, caregivers must meet the following criteria by April 30, 2023:
Pilot Program Work Experience Requirements
As of April 30, 2023, to qualify for the pilots, caregivers must demonstrate at least 12 months of full-time (30 hours per week) work experience within the 36 months preceding their application. This experience must fall under specific National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes:
- NOC 4411 (excluding foster parents): Caregivers who meet this requirement may be eligible for permanent residence through the Home Child Care Provider Pilot. This experience must involve providing care for children under the age of 18 in either the caregiver’s own home or the employer’s home.
- NOC 4412 (excluding housekeepers): Caregivers who meet this requirement may be eligible for permanent residence through the Home Support Worker Pilot. This experience must involve providing care for individuals who require assistance from a home support worker, either in the caregiver’s own home or the employer’s home.
Work experience in either of these NOC codes must align with the respective job descriptions and demonstrate that the caregiver has fulfilled most of the main duties associated with the role. The experience does not need to be consecutive, but it must accumulate to a total of 12 months.
Language Requirements
To be eligible for permanent residence under the pilot programs, you must achieve a Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) score of 5 in all four language skills: writing, reading, listening, and speaking. This can be demonstrated by passing an IRCC-designated English or French language test.
Education Requirements
You must possess a post-secondary educational credential of at least one year in duration. This can be either Canadian or foreign education. If you hold foreign educational credentials, you must obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to verify its equivalence to Canadian standards.
Admissibility Requirements
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts admissibility checks on all permanent residence applicants to ensure that potential immigrants do not pose a risk to the health and safety of Canadians. The specific documents required for the admissibility check vary depending on an individual’s background and circumstances. IRCC outlines these requirements in detail in its application guide. Generally, you may need to submit the following documents:
- Biometrics
- Medical examination results
- Police clearance certificate
Read more: Work Visa Options
Essential Guidelines for Live-In Caregivers Under the LCP
Foreign nationals working as LCPs must adhere to specific regulations, including:
- Working Hours: LCPs must provide at least 30 hours of full-time care for children under 18, individuals with disabilities, or elderly individuals residing in the employer’s home.
- Residency and Professional Conduct: LCPs must live and work professionally within the employer’s home without supervision or assistance.
- Eligibility Requirements: LCPs must fulfill all qualifications established by CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) and HRSDC (Human Resources and Skills Development Canada). These requirements include:
- Language Proficiency: The LCP must demonstrate language fluency to effectively communicate and live independently in an unsupervised environment.
- Training and Experience: The LCP must complete at least six months of full-time training and have at least one year of full-time experience as a caregiver or in a related field within the past three years.
Skilled Caregivers for Canadian Families
Canadian families seeking qualified caregivers for their children, seniors, or individuals with certified medical needs can turn to the In-Home Caregivers Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) Stream. This stream facilitates the hiring of foreign caregivers to provide full-time (minimum 30 hours per week) in-home care services.
Eligible Caregivers and Roles
Foreign caregivers under this stream can fulfill essential roles in supporting children under 18 years of age (National Occupational Classification (NOC) 4411), seniors aged 65 and over (NOC 3012), individuals with disabilities (NOC 3233), and individuals with serious illnesses (NOC 4412).
Location Considerations
It is important to note the following location-specific requirements for work permit issuance:
- For Caregivers in Provinces and Territories Excluding Quebec: The foreign caregiver must be residing in Canada for IRCC to process their work permit application. Overseas applications will not be processed.
- For Caregivers in Quebec: The foreign caregiver can be residing either in Quebec or overseas. IRCC will process the work permit application as long as eligibility criteria are met.
How to Apply for the Live-In Caregiver Program?
While the Live-In Caregiver Program (LCP) is currently closed for new applicants, it’s crucial to understand the application process and eligibility requirements for potential future openings. If you aspire to work as a caregiver in Canada and don’t already hold an LCP work permit, you must apply for a regular work permit.
The LCP is designed to facilitate the hiring of foreign caregivers by Canadian residents who require in-home care services. To employ a caregiver through this program, you must meet specific criteria:
- Identified Caregiver: You must have found a caregiver who already possesses a valid LCP work permit and is seeking a new employer.
- Approved LMIA: You must have secured approval for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), demonstrating that the caregiver Program has agreed to reside in your home.
