Caregiver Pilot Programs

Canada offers unique opportunities for caregivers looking to become permanent residents. As the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot come to a close, IRCC announced new, enhanced caregiver pilots in June 2024. These programs will allow caregivers to continue to come to Canada, as IRCC works toward making the caregiver pilot programs permanent. As part of the 2024–2026 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada will admit over 15,000 caregivers as permanent residents.

Program Categories:

1. Gaining Experience Category

This category let you gain enough work experience as a caregiver to qualify for permanent residence. The applicant needs to meet the following requirements:

  • Genuine and valid job offer.
  • Ability to do the job.
  • Meet the language level.
  • Meet the education requirement.
  • Admissible to Canada.
  • Plan to live outside the province of Quebec as a permanent resident.
  • Provide proof of eligible work experience within 3 years of receiving your occupation-restricted open work permit issued under the pilots.

Application Process

  • Employer matching and job offer.
  • Submit the immigration application, work permit application, and family members’ work/study permit applications (if applicable) simultaneously.
  • Obtain the work permit and start accumulating work experience.
  • Provide proof of work experience.
  • Land and become a permanent resident.

2. Direct to Permanent Residence Category

This category let you receive permanent residence directly if you already had enough work experience as a caregiver. The applicant needs to meet the following requirements:

  • Have enough work experience.
  • Meet the language level.
  • Meet the education requirement.
  • Be admissible to Canada.
  • Plan to live outside the province of Quebec.

Requirements:

To be eligible, caregivers must:

  • Language: Proficiency in either English or French at CLB/NCLC Level 4 in all four language skills.
  • Education: Have equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma.
  • Intended Living Place: Intend to reside in a province other than Quebec.
  • Admissibility: Pass an admissibility check (health, criminality, and security).
  • Work Experience under Gaining Experience Category:
    • The qualifying work experience must:
      • Be in one of these NOCs (National Occupational Classification): home child care provider or home support worker (not a mix of both).
      • Match the NOC job description, and you must have performed most of the main duties listed.
      • Have been gained anytime within the 36-month period before you submitted your permanent residence application and the date you provide proof of work experience.
      • You have 36 months from the date IRCC issued your occupation-restricted open work permit to provide proof of your work experience.
      • As of June 16, 2024, only 6 months of eligible work experience is needed to qualify for permanent residence. You don’t need to have worked 6 months in a row, just 6 months total within that period.
      • Be full-time work (at least 30 hours of paid work each week). Any week in which you worked less than 30 hours doesn’t count.
      • Any work experience you had while you were a full-time student doesn’t count.
      • Canadian work experience must have been authorized under a work permit, under maintained status, or under a public policy.
      • Experience working for a business can also count. However, the applicant will only be issued an initial occupation-restricted open work permit if you have a job offer that doesn’t come from a business.
      • Experience must be gained in your own home or in your employer’s private home (not in an institutional setting such as a daycare).
      • Experience as a foster parent does not count.
      • You do not need to live in your employer’s home to qualify.
  • Work Experience under Direct to Permanent Residence Category:
    • Your qualifying work experience must:
      • Be in one of these National Occupational Classification (NOC) jobs, and the work experience couldn’t have been a mix of both jobs.
      • Match the NOC job description, and you must have done most of the main duties listed.
      • Been gained within the 36-month period before you submitted your application. You didn’t have to work 6 months (from June 16, 2024, onwards) in a row, just 6 months total, within that period. Any experience you get after submitting your application doesn’t count.
      • Been full-time authorized work in Canada. Full-time means at least 30 hours of paid work each week. Any week in which you worked less than 30 hours doesn’t count. Any work experience you had while you were a full-time student doesn’t count.
      • The work could have been authorized under a work permit, as well as under maintained status or a public policy.
      • Experience working for a business can also count.

FAQs for Immigration Pathways in 2025

Q: How do I demonstrate my ability to do the job?

Your past experience or training will be evaluated to determine your capability to perform the tasks described in the NOC job description (lead statement).

Q: What kind of language tests does IRCC accept under the caregiver pilot programs?

English:

  • CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program
    • You need to take the CELPIP-General test.
  • IELTS: International English Language Testing System
    • You need to take the IELTS General Training test.
  • PTE: Pearson Test of English
    • You need to take the PTE Core test.

French:

  • TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français
  • TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français
Q: How can I obtain a work permit under the Gaining Experience Category?

Conditions for applying for a caregiver work permit include:

  • A valid employer who needs to fill out a form to disclose information to immigration authorities. Note that an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) is not required, but the job offer must be genuine, and the employer cannot be located in Quebec.
  • The job must be one of the following occupations: Home Support Worker (NOC 44101) or Home Child Care Provider (NOC 44100).
  • After obtaining the work permit, you can change employers, but your new employer does not need to provide the employer form, and your job position cannot change.
  • You must meet the language requirement of CLB level 4 when applying.
  • You must hold the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma.
  • You must also be capable of performing the job.

Note: Your spouses and dependents are eligible to join you in Canada and obtain open work permits themselves.

Q: What are some job title examples if working as a Home Child Care Provider?

Caregivers provide long-term or regular care to children, ensuring their physical and mental well-being, assisting parents, and helping with household tasks. Job position examples include:

  • Babysitter
  • Child care live-in caregiver
  • Child care provider – private home
  • Nanny
  • Parent’s helper
Q: What are some job title examples if working as a Home Support Worker?

Home support workers provide personal care and companionship to elderly individuals, persons with disabilities, and patients recovering from illness. The care is provided in the patient’s residence, but home support workers can also live in. They can be employed by home care agencies or privately hired. Job position examples include:

  • Doula
  • Attendant for Person with Disabilities
  • Live-in Caregiver, senior
Q: What is the latest update about the New Caregiver Pilot Programs?

News Release – June 3, 2024: Caregivers from abroad are invaluable to Canadian families. Their hard work makes a difference in the lives of those they care for, including children, seniors, and persons with disabilities.

New Pilot Program Features:

  • Permanent Residence on Arrival: Home care workers will receive permanent residence (PR) upon arrival in Canada.
  • Flexible Work Options: Caregivers can work for organizations providing temporary or part-time care for semi-independent individuals or those recovering from an injury or illness.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Minimum CLB Level 4 in language proficiency.
  • Equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma.
  • Recent and relevant work experience.
  • A full-time home care job offer.

These new PR on arrival pilot programs mark an important step forward in Canada’s efforts to meet the evolving home care needs of its diverse population. More information will be available before the full launch of the pilots, including full eligibility criteria and details on how to apply.

Important Considerations for Applicants:

  • Qualifying Work Experience: Ensure your work experience aligns with the relevant NOC job classifications.
  • Application Categories: Understand the distinction between the gaining experience and direct permanent residence categories.
  • Documentation: Gather all necessary documents, including work experience verification, language test results, and educational assessments.

For more detailed information, please visit the official Government of Canada website. Feel free to contact us for assistance. We’ll help you determine your eligibility and guide you through every step of your PR application process. Our expert team is here to ensure you have all the information and support you need for a successful application.