Citizenship and Immigration Canada has announced the introduction of new pilot programs aimed at supporting caregivers and Canadian families. The announcement comes as the existing Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot are set to conclude later this month.
The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, unveiled the new, enhanced caregiver pilot programs that will facilitate the arrival of caregivers to Canada and aim to make these programs permanent.
The new pilots will allow home care workers to receive permanent residence (PR) upon arrival in Canada. These workers will also have the opportunity to work for organizations that provide temporary or part-time care for individuals who are semi-independent or recovering from an injury or illness. The new pathway is designed to help caregivers secure appropriate employment with reliable employers and access permanent resident status more easily.
Candidates interested in participating in these new pilot programs must meet the following criteria:
- Achieve a minimum of level 4 on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)
- Possess the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma
- Have recent and relevant work experience
- Obtain a full-time job offer in home care
These PR on arrival pilot programs represent a significant step in Canada’s efforts to address the evolving home care needs of its diverse population. Detailed information, including full eligibility criteria and application processes, will be provided prior to the full launch of the pilots.
“Caregivers play a critical role in supporting Canadian families, and our programs need to reflect their invaluable contributions,” said Minister Miller. “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.”
Minister of Small Business, the Honourable Rechie Valdez, also expressed support for the new initiatives. “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,” she said.
Quick facts
- In June 2014, there was an inventory of over 60,000 persons for the Live-in Caregiver Program. Today, less than 1% of that Live-in Caregiver Program inventory remains.
- As part of the 2024–2026 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada will admit over 15,000 caregivers as permanent residents.
- As of April 30, 2024, nearly 5,700 caregivers and their family members have become permanent residents since the launch of the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot in 2019.
