Caregiver changes

Get ready to apply

H

ome-care workers arriving in Canada under a new pilot program will be granted permanent residence upon arrival in Canada. The new pilot program was announced in June of 2024 by Canadian Minister of  Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller. It will begin to accept applications from eligible candidates on March 31, 2025. This new initiative replaces the five-year pilot programs that ran from June 2019 to June 2024 to provide pathways to permanent residence for caregivers. In making the announcement, Miller described the new pilots as “enhanced”, with essentially  a one-step to permanent residence  for caregivers.  Although the full details of the enhanced program have not yet been announced,  it is widely anticipated that  these initiatives will be less cumbersome and onerous for candidates to come to Canada and achieve permanent residence. Said the Minister:

“Caregivers play a critical role in supporting Canadian families, and our programs need to reflect their invaluable contributions. As we work to implement a permanent caregivers program, these two new pilots will not only improve support for caregivers, but also provide families with the quality care they deserve.”

As part of the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada will admit 10,920 permanent residents through four economic pilot programs. It is expected that each of the pathways under the new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots will be allocated quotas that are much lower than previous numbers.

Important questions answered

Eligibility criteria

  • Candidates must have attained CLB English language level 4;
  • Be holders of the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma;
  • Have at least six-months of relevant work experience;
  • Have an employment offer for a full-time home care job.

These changes have lowered the level of each criterion that had formed the core of the outgoing five-year pilot programs and have eliminated the need for a work permit to gain experience in Canada.

Gaining work experience

Since June 25, 2024 participants in the recently ended pilot program (June 17, 2024) who were under the “gaining experience” pathway may submit evidence of having completed six months (full-time) of their work experience to complete the processing of their permanent residence application. Evidence they must submit include:

  • CRA’s Notice of Assessment;
  • Reference letter from their employer with details of their employment and their employer;
  • Job offer letter or Job contract;
  • Pay stubs; T4 Statement, Employer’s payroll information relating to the employee.

Job Offers

The new pilots will allow job offers to be made to potential caregivers from private individuals, as well as organizations that provide temporary or part-time care for people who are semi-independent or recovering from an injury or an illness, or live with a disability.

Let us help you

By May 31, 2024, both streams of the Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilot programs had reached their quotas, well before the expiration date.  The new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots will begin on March 31, 2025. Candidates should  determine which of the two pathways is appropriate for them  based on eligibility criteria and their personal qualifications.
By the time the new pilot program starts on March 31,  there will have been a pause on applications and a gap of nine months during which time there was no pathway for home care workers. If you are a caregiver, a homecare worker or a personal support worker (PSW) without permanent residence status, you do not want to be left behind this time.  You do not want to take the risk of applying to one of the pilots by yourself. The process is complicated, with stringent criteria that must be met  within strict timelines. To avoid frustration, stress and disappointment with a failed application, contact us to provide advice, guidance and assistance in submitting your application.