Canada reduced work experience requirements for caregivers to 12 months
On February 10, 2023, Canada announced that the amount of work experience in Canada required for a caregiver to qualify for PR was reduced from 24 months to 12 months.
In addition, Canada provided some spaces under the existing caregiver pathways to caregivers who already have work experience in Canada from a previous work permit. This means that “caregivers and their families will benefit from a faster path to permanent residence and successful settlement in Canada” said IRCC.
The changes will be effective as of April 30, 2023 and will be retroactive for caregivers who have already applied.
“By reducing the work experience required in Canada to one year, more caregivers and their families will become eligible to transition to permanent residence sooner, meaning that they can settle down and start the next chapter of their lives here in Canada.”
The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
According to IRCC’s media release, this update is expected to benefit around 90% of applications currently in processing. This includes the caregivers who are just starting out and those who have been providing care in Canada already.
Recent changes for the 2023 application process
IRCC changed the caps and how you can apply to the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot. Below you can find a summary of the changes.
Home Child Care Provider Pilot
- Gaining experience category: 1,650 applications | Closed as of January 1st, 2023.
- Direct to permanent residence category: 1,100 applications. This includes 1,000 online applications and 100 alternate format applications.
Home Support Worker Pilot
- Gaining experience category: 1,650 applications (includes both online and alternate format applications).
- Direct to permanent residence category: 1,100 applications (includes both online and alternate format applications).
In addition, IRCC updated the information and forms for these pilots. Therefore, make sure you use the most recent guides. Also, please note that you must apply online through the Permanent Residence Portal.
Once you sign in to the portal, choose “Economic” when asked which program you’re applying to. Then, you’ll see the 4 categories available for these pilots (as long as the cap isn’t full):
- Home Child Care Provider Pilot: Gaining experience category
- Home Child Care Provider Pilot: Direct to permanent residence category
- Home Support Worker Pilot: Gaining experience category
- Home Support Worker Pilot: Direct to permanent residence category
It is very important you choose the correct category. Otherwise, IRCC may return or refuse your application.
For more information about recent changes, please visit: Updates to the Caregiver Pilot Program: December 2022.
Relevant articles
- The Caregiver Pilot Program in 2022
- The Caregiver Pilot Program Process, also
- Who qualifies for the Caregiver Pilot Program
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