Caregivers to be given Canada PR upon arrival under new programs

Surya Rathee
[Published 04 Jun, 2024 | 04:27 AM]
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Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced new, enhanced caregiver pilot programs - which will replace the existing Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot programs.

The existing Caregiver pilot programs are all set to expire on June 17. The new pilot programs will grant home care workers with Canada PR status - when they arrive in the country. Earlier, these candidates required a certain amount of work experience in Canada to apply for Canada PR. They will also be permitted to work for “organizations that provide temporary or part-time care for people who are semi-independent or recovering from an injury or illness.”

The new pathways will allow caregivers to more easily find proper work with reliable employers and have clear, straightforward access to permanent resident status as soon as they arrive in Canada.

Immigrate to Canada as a Caregiver

Who is eligible?

Candidates interested in working in Canada’s home care sector will be eligible to apply through these programs if they meet the following criteria:

• Have a minimum Canadian Benchmark Level (CLB) of 4.
• Have an equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma.
• Have relevant work experience in recent years.
• Have a full-time job offer or a full-time home care job.

This marks a change from the previous pilot programs that required a CLB of 5 and 1-year Canadian post-secondary education (or a foreign equivalent). Candidates were also required to have documented work experience of at least 6 months.

The new pilot programs which offer Canada PR on arrival, mark an important step forward in Canada’s constant efforts to meet the growing home care needs of its diverse population. IRCC has yet to make it clear what exactly the work experience requirement will be under the new pilot programs. The department says that more details will be announced closer to the full launch.

Quick Quotes

“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.”

- The Honorable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

“After hearing stories and feedback from caregivers across Canada, I am proud that we are taking concrete action to create policies to support the caregiver community. Generations of women and men have advocated for this important pathway and have cared for our families and loved ones here in Canada. Now is the time to return the care they deserve."

- The Honorable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business.

Check Eligibility for Canada PR

Caregivers in Canada

According to the Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026, Canada expects to welcome more than 15,000 new Canada PR applicants through its caregiver programs. As of April 30, 2024, around 5,700 caregivers and their family members have been granted Canada PR status since the launch of the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot in 2019.

The demand for caregivers in Canada is on the rise. As the population ages, it is expected that in the next six years, over 9 million Canadians will retire. Meaning - in the coming years, more and more individuals will need additional care/support in their homes or institutions.

Stay tuned for more Canada Immigration News.

Source: canada.ca