Right now, Canada has invited all applicants to submit applications for the new caregiver immigration pilots. Caring for Children and Caring for People with High Medical Needs will be replaced by the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot respectively. These caregiver pilots will provide a pathway to the people who have more than two years of Canadian work experience. Caregiver pathway will ensure easy achievement of the permanent residency of Canada for such people.
Till June 18th, all the applications were submitted as it was the last day for submitting an application. After the date, applications will no longer be accepted through the aforementioned pilots.
The newly formed Home Support Worker and Home Child Care Provider pilots will offer work permits to caregivers who possess job offers in Canada. Additionally, the candidates have to meet the following criteria.
- Applicants will have to undergo a language test for English or French. As per the Canadian language benchmark (CLB), applicants should score 5 in both the languages.
- Applicants should have one-year post-secondary education in Canada or they should have equivalent education in foreign countries.
- Applicants must be admissible to Canada.
Caregivers, who are working in Canada with the work permit, can opt for the permanent residence if they fulfill the aforementioned criteria.
Caregivers, who have the experience to work with National Occupational Classification, can also apply for the permanent residents of Canada through the pilot, named as Home Child Care Provider.
Caregivers, who are experienced in working with NOC 4412, can also apply for the permanent residency through the pilot named as Home Support Worker.
According to the IRCC, the newly formed pilots come with 12 months processing standard for the applications for attaining work permits. For the permanent residence, a further six months processing will be required.
Notable Updates to New Pilots
The new pilots come with notable updates which are worth knowing for the persons who are seeking caregiver jobs along with permanent residence in Canada.
- Instead of employer-specific work permits, the new pilots will focus on the occupation-specific work permits.
- Immediate family of the caregiver will get open work permits as well as study permits in Canada.
- Before hiring caregivers, employers will no longer need to practice Labor Market Impact Assessment(LMIA).
According to the IRCC, the new pilots have been set up to promote clear transition from temporary to permanent status to the caregivers and their family members. The process will be easier and swifter.
For a candidate, work experience must be at least 36 months, before he or she applies for the permanent residence in Canada.
The Minister Immigration of Canada said that the country is committed to take care of the caregivers and give them optimum comfort or convenience in applying for the permanent residence in the country.
As per estimation, the newly launched pilots will have more than 2750 principal applicants per year. The pilots will provide updates for the occupation-specific work permits. Getting work permits or study permits for the family members of caregivers will become easier.
Extended Interim Pathway
The interim pathway for the caregivers has been extended with the introduction of the new pilots. IRCC has announced that new applications for three months will be taken from 8th July 2019.
This pathway has been made for the individuals who have been working in Canada since the month of November of the year of 2014.
It is to be noted that the interim pathway for caregivers will reopen for the persons who intend to reside outside Quebec. Additionally, there should be the following criteria.
- The person must have the authorization to work in Canada along with the Live-in Caregiver Program permit; or
- The person must have applied for the renewal of the work permit other than the Live-in Caregiver Program permit; or
- The person must have applied for restoration status. He or she should have held working permit other than the Live-in Caregiver Program; and
- The person must have a score of 5 in language, like English or French; and
- At least 12 months of full-time work experience in Canada since November 2014.