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Work Permit for Caregivers

The Old Live-In Caregiver Program (LCP) is gone now and new program (Child-Care Provider and Support Worker) is being offered and administered by the government of Canada started in June 2019 with primary means by which foreign caregivers come to Canada as eldercare, special needs, and childcare providers. With the move to occupation-specific work permits under the Home Child Care and Home Support Worker pilots, employers will no longer need a Labour Market Impact Assessment before hiring a caregiver from overseas.

The Home Child-Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot are 2 economic pilot programs targeted to foreign national caregivers as below:-

Home child care provider (NOC 44100)
  • You must care for children under the age of 18 in your own home or in your employer’s home
  • You don’t need to live in your employer’s home to qualify
  • Experience as a foster parent doesn’t count
Home support worker (NOC 44101)
  • You must care for someone who needs help from a home support worker either in your own home or in your employer’s home
  • You don’t need to live in your employer’s home to qualify
  • Experience as a housekeeper doesn't count

Caregivers with No Canadian Work Experience

This program is open to foreign Caregivers (Child Care Provider or Support Worker) who have no Canadian experience but have work experience overseas and meet the other program requirements as below:-

  • have a valid job offer (using the Offer of Employment IMM5983);
  • have overseas work experience to do the job;

    OR

    child caregiver diploma/certificate / completion of a training program in care of the elderly, care of persons with disabilities, convalescent care or in a related field and first aid certification/CPR may be required;
  • meet minimum education and language proficiency requirements (CLB-5);
  • Valid Police Clearance and Medical Clearance.

This program requires Caregivers to submit PR and WP application together. Upon first stage approval of PR (APR), occupation-restricted open work permit will be issued to work temporarily in Canada with the Employer. This WP is valid for 3 years. Caregiver will have the option to work with another Employer as well. If caregiver is married, spouse may eligible to apply open work permit or study permit.

Outside of Canada?
Permanent Residence Visa for Caregivers:

To support application for permanent residence, Caregiver need to get at least 24 months of qualifying work experience (NOC 44100 or NOC 44101) in Canada. Caregiver does not have to work 24 months in a row, just 24 months total within 36 months.

Caregivers with Canadian Work Experience (12 months)

This program (Permanent Residence) is open to foreign Caregivers (Child Care Provider or Support Worker) who are already in Canada have experience more than 12 months and meet the other program requirements as below:-

  • Have completed 12 months (within 36 months) working full time as Caregiver.
  • meet minimum education and language proficiency requirements (CLB-5)
  • Valid Police Clearance and Medical Clearance

While PR application is in process (when caregiver receive the APR-positive eligibility decision on the application), Caregivers can apply bridging open work permit to stay in Canada and work in Canada with any Employer.

Note: Previously Experience required was 24 months. 12 Months Experience was amended on 30-04-2023.

Already in Canada?
Permanent Residence Visa for Caregivers:

To support application for permanent residence, Caregiver need to get at least 12 months of qualifying work experience (NOC 44100 or NOC 44101) in Canada. Caregiver does not have to work 12 months in a row, just 12 months total within 36 months.

Caregivers Work Permit with LMIA

If you don’t meet the requirements for the Home Child Care Provider or Home Support Worker pilots, you may be able to work temporarily as a caregiver through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program via LMIA.

Contact our office to pass our number to Your employer and we will assist Employer to obtain positive LMIA.

Minimum Wage of Caregiver

Currently the minimum wage is $16.75 per hour in British Columbia. Employers do not need to provide caregivers with suitable private, furnished accommodation in the employer's home anymore.

Contact us and our office will assess your eligibility to work as Caregiver or Immigrate as a Caregiver Class Immigrant.

You can apply online to check your assessment for eligibility of your Caregiver Work Permit.
Please apply online Caregiver Assessment Form