Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will restart intake for its two caregiver pilot programs on January 1, 2024. These include the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot under the Direct to Permanent Residence category. Both programs are designed to offer eligible caregivers a pathway to Canadian permanent residency.
Initially launched in 2019, the pilot programs are set to officially close on June 17, 2024. However, they remain a crucial opportunity for caregivers with relevant work experience to secure permanent resident status. In 2022 alone, nearly 1,100 caregivers and their families became Canadian permanent residents through these pathways.
Due to their popularity, IRCC encourages interested applicants not to delay. In 2023, the Home Child Care Provider Pilot reached its maximum online capacity of 1,000 applicants by mid-April. Though the Home Support Worker Pilot still had available spots in 2023, demand is expected to spike again in 2024.
A major change implemented in 2023 significantly lowered the work experience requirement. Applicants now need only 12 months of full-time caregiving experience, down from the original 24 months. This update is expected to benefit approximately 90% of hopeful applicants. Full-time work is defined as 30 hours per week and must be completed within the three years (36 months) prior to applying. Importantly, work performed while the applicant was a student does not qualify.
To be eligible, candidates must have work experience that falls within the National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes 4411 or 4412. However, applicants must qualify under one of the two roles—not a mix—and must have performed the majority of the key job duties listed in the NOC descriptions.
In addition to work experience, other core eligibility criteria remain unchanged. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English or French by achieving a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 5 on a language test, hold at least one year of Canadian post-secondary education or its foreign equivalent, and pass standard admissibility checks regarding health, criminality, and security.
Those who don’t yet meet the criteria for permanent residency through the pilot programs can still pursue employment in Canada as caregivers through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), offering more time to accumulate the necessary experience.
With the expiration of these pilot programs on the horizon and limited spaces available, caregivers are strongly advised to prepare and submit their applications early in 2024 to maximize their chances.
Maple News will continue to provide updates on Canada’s evolving immigration programs and policy changes impacting workers and families.