As of 18th June 2019, the caregivers’ programs changed for the better. The new programs, the Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilot, replaced the controversial Caring for Children and Caring for People with High Medical Needs Pilot that left the caregivers at the hands of one employer, and with no chance to bring their families along.
Benefits of The New Caregiver Programs
• The caregivers can switch between employers if necessary. However, they’re occupation specific.
• The caregiver’s immediate family members are offered study permits or work permits.
This allows families to immigrate and reside together in Canada.
• After meeting the required experience as a caregiver, one can switch from temporary status to permanent residence.
• LMIA (Labor Market Impact Assessment) is no longer a requirement.
The Caregiver Program Requirements
For you to be eligible for either the Home Child Care Provider Pilot or the Home Support Worker Pilot, you must meet the following minimum requirements set by the IRCC:
• You must have a caregiver job offer from Canada – you can get one through Ministry provided job offer form.
• Have at least CLB level 5 in either English or French in writing, speaking, listening,
and reading.
• You must have at least one-year Canadian post-secondary education or a foreign
equivalent.
• You are admissible to Canada.
• If the applicant is eligible, the permanent residence application is put on hold and the applicant is issued an occupation-restricted open work permit. Dependants are also eligible to accompany the principal applicant and can be issued open work or study permits. Once issued an occupation-restricted open work permit, the principal applicant must obtain 24 months of eligible, full-time, Canadian work experience. To remain eligible in the program, this must happen within 3 years of being issued their occupation-specific open work permit. Applicants must submit proof of obtaining this work experience within 3 years of being issued their occupation-restricted open work permit.
HOW TO APPLY
1. Confirm Eligibility
Check that you qualify to apply as a caregiver through one of the pilot programs, i.e., Home Child Care Provider Pilot or Home Support Worker Pilot. If you have immediate family members that you would love to accompany you to Canada, check whether they qualify for study or work permits.
2. Complete and Submit Application
If you’re eligible for the Caregivers Program, complete your permanent residence application together with your work permit application. If you have any immediate family, fill out work and study permits for them. Submit all the forms to IRCC together and await approval.
3. Provide More Information
During processing, the IRCC might request for additional documents from you and your immediate family. These include medical exams, biometrics, and police certificates.
4. Complete Permanent Residence Application
If you’re given an occupation-specific work permit in Canada, gain the required work
experience, i.e., 24 months as an occupation-specific caregiver, provide the proof to IRCC, and get the final decision on your permanent resident applications.
If you’re applying from within Canada:
• If you’re already a caregiver, keep working with the current work permit until you attain two years of work experience. After that, apply for permanent residence.
• If you’re in Canada and you’re not a caregiver, you can apply to become one, attain 2 years experience, and then apply for permanent residence. How We Can Help At Truwest, we pride ourselves on understanding the intricacies of the Canadian immigration system. Even with new programs, such as the newly introduced caregiver programs, we formulate strategies with a higher chance of success for our clients. Contact us, and we’ll be glad to assist you through the whole caregiver application process, i.e., checking eligibility, preparing your documents, and paying your fees.