New Pilot Programs for Caregivers in Canada

No more LMIA for Two New Pilot Programs

Are you overwhelmed with taking care of your children and need an extra hand but cannot afford to put them in childcare due to your financial circumstances or are you a caregiver and like to work in Canada to potentially obtain permanent residency in Canada? If this is your case then blog is for you.

Canada is now accepting applications to its two new caregiver immigration pilot programs which include

• Home Child Care Provider Pilot and;
• Home Support Worker Pilot

These two new programs have replaced the Caring for Children and Caring for People with High Medical Needs since June 18, 2019. This new program is only a 5 year pilot program that allows eligible caregivers and their family members come to Canada with the intention of becoming permanent residents.

If you have obtained two years of Canadian work experience you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence through one of these pilots. The process of the application will depend on your situation and how much qualifying work experience you have.

Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilots Eligibility

To be eligible to apply under the new Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilots you must a have job offer from an employer in Canada to be able to receive a work permit. The applicants must also meet the following criteria:

• Scoring CLB 5 on your language test either in English or French
• Having one year of post-secondary education or foreign equivalent
• Being admissible to Canada (no criminal, financial or health inadmissibility)

If you are currently on caregiver work permit and meet criteria mentioned above you are eligible to apply for permanent residence through the new pilot programs.

If you are caregiver and have qualifying work experience under NOC 4411 (excluding foster parents) you are eligible to apply for PR through the Home Child Care Provider Pilot. Qualifying work experience means you have worked fulltime in Canada under the two mentioned NOCs.

If you are caregiver and have work experience under NOC 4412 (excluding housekeepers) you are eligible for PR through the Home Support Worker Pilot.

What are the Key Changes for the New Pilot Programs

Some of the major changes include:

• It is no longer employer –specific work permit but rather occupation-specific work permit. This allows caregivers to change employers if they are not happy or wish to do something else
• The caregivers immediate family can now immediately apply for open work permit or study permit
• Employers no longer have to go through the hassle of applying for LMIA

The goal of the pilot program is to allow the caregivers and their family members’ transition from temporary to permanent status in Canada. This of course can only be achieved if the caregiver has obtained the two years Canadian work experience.

The work experience must be met within 36 months before the foreign applicant applies for permanent residence.

If you have submitted application under the previous route before June 18, 2019 then your application under Caring for Children and Caring for People with High Medical Needs will still be processed, but applications will no longer be accepted through these pilots after that date.

How the Process Works for Two New Pilot Programs

1. You can apply only to ONE of the pilot programs- either the Home Child Care Provider Pilot or the Home Support Worker Pilot. The selection depends on which occupation you intend to work in

2. You must submit the work permit application and your permanent residence application together

3. Should you meet the eligibility requirement a work permit will be granted to work on temporary basis in Canada

4. The work permit that gets granted to you allows you work as a caregiver for any employer meaning you are not restricted to specific employer, however it is an occupation restricted open work permit. Meaning you cannot change your occupation.

5. You should have at least 24 months of work experience to qualify for permanent residence.

6. Proof of work experience must be sent with your application

7. CIC makes the final decision on your application

Which Caregiver Programs are still open that leads Permanent Residence?

The caregiver programs that are open that lead to permanent residence included Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot which opened June 18, 2019, and replaced the <href=”#caring-children”>Caring for Children and <href=”#caring-high-medical-needs”>Caring for People with High Medical Needs pilots.

Also The Interim Pathway for Caregivers reopened for applications on July 8, 2019 and open only for 3 months. Therefore it will close back October 8, 2019

Processing Time for the New Pilot Programs

The processing time for these two new pilot programs are approximately 12 months for the work permit application and an additional 6 months for those who have met the work experience requirements. The program accepts only limited amount of applicants which are about 2,750 for each program.

Contact Akrami & Associates.

If you are looking to obtain permanent residence through the Home Child Care Provider Pilot or the Home Support Worker Pilot then contact Akrami & Associates to determine your eligibility under this route.

These applications are not straightforward and can get quite overwhelming. To ensure you have strong application or determining your eligibility to apply then reach out to us for more information.

You can contact us at 416-477-2545 or email us at info@thevisa.ca

Akrami & Associates has assisted many clients to obtaining permanent residence status in Canada and we help you reach your immigration goals as well.

With Akrami & Associates there is always a way