Canada Launches Two New Immigration Programs for Caregivers

The Canadian government is now accepting applications from foreign caregivers in its two new immigration pilot programs.

Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilot programs will grant work permits to caregivers who have a job offer in Canada and are proficient in either English or French, have one year of Canadian post-secondary education or its foreign equivalent, and are admissible to Canada.

“Canada is caring for our caregivers. We made a commitment to improve the lives of caregivers and their families who come from around the world to care for our loved ones and with these new pilots, were are doing exactly that,” Ahmed Hussen, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, said in a news release.

Under the two programs, the caregivers’ immediate family members will also be granted work permits and/or study permits.

Under the Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker programs, caregivers already in Canada who have acquired two years of Canadian work experience will be eligible to apply for permanent residency.
A Home Child Care Provider is described in Canada’s National Occupational Classification - NOC 4411 - as someone who provides care for children on ongoing or shot-term basis, either in the provider’s home or in the children’s home.  The caregiver may be employed by an agency, a private household, or may be self-employed. Job titles under this classification may include babysitters, live-in care giver (child care), nanny, or parent’s helper.

A Home Support Worker  is described in Canada’s National Occupational Classification - NOC 4412 - as someone who provides persona care and companionship for seniors, persons with disabilities ad convalescent clients. Care is provided in the client’s residence, where the worker may also reside. The caregiver may be employed by a home care agency, a private household, or may be self-employed. Job titles under this classification may include family caregiver, home support worker, housekeeper, personal aide (home support), or personal care attendant (home care).

A maximum of 2,750 principal applicants will be considered under the two pilot programs, for a total of 5,500 applicants including the principal applicant’s immediate family.

More information about the two pilot programs is available on the Immigration and Citizenship Canada website.