Canada immigration announces new foreign caregiver program

Yes, on November 23, 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the launch of a new foreign caregiver program, aimed at addressing the shortage of caregivers in Canada and providing a pathway to permanent residency for foreign caregivers.

Here are the key details of the new program:

Program Name: The new program is called the "Caregiver Pathway" or "International Mobility Program (IMP) for Caregivers".

Eligibility: The program is open to foreign nationals who are currently working in Canada as caregivers, including:

  1. Live-in caregivers (NOC 4411)
  2. Home child care providers (NOC 4412)
  3. Home support workers (NOC 4413)

Requirements:

  1. Must have a valid work permit as a caregiver in Canada
  2. Must have at least 12 months of work experience as a caregiver in Canada
  3. Must meet the language requirements (CLB 4 in English or French)
  4. Must meet the education requirements (high school diploma or equivalent)
  5. Must demonstrate a commitment to continuing to work as a caregiver in Canada

Benefits:

  1. Permanent residency: Caregivers who meet the program requirements will be eligible to apply for permanent residency in Canada
  2. Faster processing: The program aims to process applications within 12-18 months
  3. Pathway to permanent residency: Caregivers who complete the program will be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Express Entry system

How to apply:

  1. Caregivers who meet the program requirements can submit an application to IRCC through the online portal
  2. Applications will be assessed based on the program requirements and language proficiency
  3. Successful applicants will receive a letter of approval and will be eligible to apply for permanent residency

Timeline:

  1. The program is expected to launch in early 2022
  2. Applications will be accepted starting in January 2022
  3. The program will be open to caregivers who have been working in Canada for at least 12 months as of January 1, 2022

This new program is a significant development in Canada's immigration policy, aimed at addressing the shortage of caregivers in the country and providing a pathway to permanent residency for foreign caregivers.