By Candy Hui
On February 23, 2019, IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) did a news release speaking about the two 5-year caregiver immigration pilots that was replacing expiring and ineffective previous pilot programs. (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2019/02/caregivers-will-now-have-access-to-new-pathways-to-permanent-residence.html) This program is unique in the fact that it is one of the only PR (permanent residence) pathways that kept the family together, allowing the dependents of the Caregiver to apply for permits to stay with the Caregiver as they completed their PR pathway.
Sounds like a dream come true program, right? – or – too good to be true?
Maybe a bit of both – the program is so good that just this past week, on January 1, 2023 when the Home Child Care Provider Pilot program opened, it also closed on the same day as IRCC reached the cap for online applications to gain experience category.
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/caregivers/child-care-home-support-worker.html
This pilot was announced for five years in 2019, so next year (2024) will be the “five-year” anniversary – I wonder what IRCC will cook up next to help with the caregiver shortage Canada is obviously having.
FYI – LMIA supported work permits for the caregiver occupations can only be issued to applicants present in Canada who have the eligibility to apply for work permits within Canada. (https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/hiring-caregivers-overseas.html)
