New Caregiver Immigration Program Allows You To Bring Family Along

Caregivers will soon have access to two new immigration pilots that will replace the current Caring for Children and Caring for People with High Medical Needs pilot programs.

The new pilots, called the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot, will allow caregivers to bring their family with them to Canada and provide a pathway to permanent residence.

Under the new pilots to be launched later this year, applicants will be assessed for permanent residence criteria before they begin working in Canada. Once the caregiver has their work permit and two years of work experience, they will have access to a direct pathway to become a permanent resident.

Caregivers will also have greater flexibility to change jobs quickly, announced Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) Minister Ahmed Hussen on February 25, 2019.

“Caregivers provide care to families in Canada that need it, and it’s time for Canada to care for them in return,” said Hussen. “We are providing them with both the opportunity to bring their family members here and access permanent residency to demonstrate our commitment.”

Caregivers will have occupation-specific work permits, with increased ability to switch jobs quickly, as well as open work permits for spouses/common-law partners and study permits for dependent children, to allow the caregiver’s family to accompany them to Canada.

A maximum of 2,750 principal applicants will be allowed for each pilot, for a total of 5,500 principal applicants, per year. Spouses are not counted in these figures.

Interim Pathway for Caregivers

For caregivers already in Canada, IRCC also launched the Interim Pathway for Caregivers, which will be open from March 4, 2019, until June 4, 2019.

This interim program is being launched after hearing directly from caregivers and interested parties that the previous changes made in 2014 were not well understood. Many caregivers began working for families in Canada, only to find out later that they were not going to qualify for permanent residence.

To address this issue, the Interim Pathway for Caregivers will provide those caregivers an opportunity to stay in Canada permanently. It will offer a pathway to permanent residence for caregivers who, in good faith, have come to Canada and are providing care to Canadians.

Source: canadianimmigrant.ca