Caregiver Program
Caregiver Program
This program gives a caregiver the option to come to Canada to become a permanent resident or work temporarily. The following caregiver programs may be eligible for permanent residence application: Home Child Care Provider, Home Support Worker, Live-in Caregiver, Caring for Children, Caring for People with High Medical Needs, and Interim Pathway for Caregivers. However, not all are currently open or still accepting applications. For instance, only the Home Support Worker Program is still open to applications for the 2022 intake.
The Live-in Caregiver, Home Child Care Provider, and Home Support Worker are Canada's three major caregiver programs. Continue reading to find out which one is best for you.
The Live-In Caregiver Program
The Live-In Caregiver Program (LCP) is for foreign nationals who wish to be employed by a Canadian citizen as a caretaker/nanny for their children or someone with disabilities in the home. It may be used as a direct pathway to permanent residence if applicants gain 2 or more years of experience on the LCP work permit and apply for permanent residence.
To be eligible for the live-in caregiver program, applicants must have:
- A valid work permit, or have applied to extend their work permit, or have applied to restore status as a worker in Canada.
- Work experience in Canada as a Home Child Care provider or a Home Support Worker.
- At least 1 year of full-time work experience or full-time training since November 30, 2014. It can be cumulative instead of continuous but cannot include work experience while a student and must match NOC code's listed duties.
- Language skills equivalent to Canadian Languages Benchmark (CLB) 5 or NLCL (French language) 5 in all four areas of reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
- A minimum Canadian High School Diploma or a foreign credential that's equivalent.
Applicants also need to be able to provide at least 30 hours of full-time care to children less than 18 years, Elderly persons aged 65 or above and Persons with disabilities. be able to live and work without any supervision while providing care.
Employer's Requirement
- Meet all the requirements set by the Live-In Caregiver Program
- Wages, occupation, and working conditions
- Advertisement requirements for LMIA
The Home Child Care Provider Pilot
Home Child Care Providers (NOC 4411) assist working parents in looking after their kids and occasionally assist with domestic chores. Care can be given at either the employer's home or the home of the employee. The Pilot allows qualified caregivers and their family members to come to Canada either to work temporarily or apply for permanent residence status.
Requirements
Intending Applicants for this program must have:
- Job Offer: Applicants must have a valid and genuine job offer at the time of application.
- Experience: At least 24 months of full-time work experience in Canada in the 36 months before they apply. Applicants who do not meet this requirement may apply for work permits instead.
- Occupation: must be in NOC 4411
- Applicants must care for someone who needs help from a home child care provider either in their own home or in the employer's home.
- Applicants do not need to live in their employer's home to qualify.
- Work experience as a foster parent does not count and qualify for this program.
- Language: The minimum language skill is CLB 5 in English or NLCL 5 in French for all 4 language skills.
- Education: Completed post-secondary education credential of at least 1 year in Canada. If applicants don't meet this criteria, they need to get their foreign education credential assessed to show that it is equal to a completed Canadian post-secondary education credential of at least 1 year.
The Home Support Worker Pilot
The Home Support Worker Pilot is a program under the Caregiver pilot program and it is suitable for those who have work experience or want to work as a Home Support worker (National Occupational Classification code 4412). A candidate's experience might determine if they are eligible to apply for a temporary work permit and permanent residence at the same time.
- Applicants' family members can be included in the application and get open work permits and or study permits.
- Applicants can work for any employers in Canada under the same occupation.
- If applicants do not have enough experience to qualify for permanent residence in Canada, they can apply for a temporary work permit to work in Canada until they have enough experience to apply for permanent residence.
Requirements
Intending Applicants for this program must have:
- Job Offer: Applicants must have a valid and genuine job offer at the time of application.
- Experience: At least 24 months of full-time work experience in Canada in the 36 months before they apply. Applicants who do not meet this requirement may apply for work permits instead.
- Occupation: must be in NOC 4412
- Applicants must care for someone who needs help from a home support worker either in their own home or in the employer's home.
- Applicants do not need to live in their employer's home to qualify.
- Work experience as a housekeeper does not count and qualify for this program.
- Language: The minimum language skill is CLB 5 in English or NLCL 5 in French for all 4 language skills.
- Education: Completed post-secondary education credential of at least 1 year in Canada. If applicants don't meet this criterion, they need to get their foreign education credential assessed to show that it is equal to a completed Canadian post-secondary education credential of at least 1 year.
Are you interested in working as a Caregiver in Canada?
Book a consultation session to find out which of these programs is best for you.