Who Qualifies for the Caregiver Pilot Program
| Note: This post applies to those people who have not worked as a caregiver in Canada, but intend to apply under the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot programs. Therefore, the intention is to see whether you qualify under this caregiver pilot program.
Note (December 6, 2022): IRCC updated the instructions for the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot. |
You could now work and eventually immigrate to Canada via the caregiver pilot program. However, this program covers the following occupational classifications only.
- Home Child Care Provider: NOC 4411, excluding foster parents
- Home Support Worker: NOC 4412, excluding housekeeping work
If you are not familiar with the concept of NOC, read the following article:
The primary conditions for the caregiver pilot program
You may apply under this program if you meet all of the following criteria:
- enough experience or training to do the job
- knowledge of either English or French languages
- meet the education requirements
- not being inadmissible to Canada
- have a valid job offer
You must also intend to live anywhere but in Quebec. Therefore, you may not apply if employment is in the province of Quebec (e.g. in Montreal or the Quebec city).
Enough experience or training to do the job.
When you apply under this program, you are usually taking care of children under 18. However, you may take care of an elderly or someone who needs care due to medical conditions. Consequently, you may need to have some or all of the following skills and experiences:
- First aid
- CPR – cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- Administering medication
- Cooking and housekeeping
- Managing children
- Ability to move individuals safely
- Bathing children, elderly or disabled people
- Driving (to take a person to school or their appointments)
- Conduct routine health checks
- Feed a child, an elderly or a disabled person
Remember, this list is neither exclusive nor inclusive. Regardless, please show formal training alongside experience in these areas. Unfortunately, experience as a foster parent won’t help.
Knowledge of either English or French languages
You need to take at least one of the following tests before applying for the pilot caregiver program.
- CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (Only CELPIP General! Don’t take General-LS.)
- IELTS: International English Language Testing System (Only IELTS General! Don’t take IELTS Academic.)
- TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français
- TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français
You only need to take one of the tests per language. If you present multiple test results under the same language, the officer considers the latest test results. Consequently, they won’t combine the results. While taking the second language test is not mandatory, it could enhance your chances of success. The following table shows the minimum scores you need to receive under each language ability.
| Test | Language | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
| CELPIP | English | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| IELTS General | English | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| TEF Canada | French | 226 | 181 | 151 | 226 |
| TCF Canada | French | 6 | 369 | 375 | 6 |
Meet the education requirements
You must show at least one year of post-secondary education for the pilot caregiver program. If your post-secondary education was outside Canada, then you must refer to one of the following organizations to evaluate the equivalency of your education to the Canadian system.
- Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
- International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
- World Education Services
- International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
- International Credential Evaluation Service
Visit the following article for more information on ECA reports:
Not being inadmissible to Canada
If you are inadmissible to Canada, you may not immigrate or work in Canada. The caregiver pilot program is no exception. Read the following articles for more information:
- Who is Inadmissible to Canada? – Who May Not Visit or Immigrate to Canada?
- Medical Inadmissibility to Canada
Have a valid job offer
Having a job offer is probably the essential criteria for the caregiver pilot program. Of course, a valid job offer must meet the following requirements:
- It is genuine: The employer needs a caregiver
- The employer has enough financial resources to pay the salary
- The salary is equal to or higher than the prevailing wage for these positions
- The employer fills out the form IMM 5983 thoroughly and truthfully
- The job is full-time (i.e. at least 30 hours per week)
- The employer is Canadian and outside the province of Quebec
- The employer is not an embassy, consulate or high commission
Can I receive a job offer from my relatives in Canada?
Technically speaking, you may still qualify for the caregiver pilot program if you receive a job offer from a relative in Canada. However, the job offer must be genuine and meet all the other validity requirements.
Do I have to work for the same employer?
If IRCC approves the application, you will receive a restricted open work permit. It means you may work for any employer but in the same job category (i.e. NOC 4411 or 4412). However, you may qualify for permanent residence only if you work full-time in Canada for at least 24 months.
The caregiver pilot program process
Visit the following page to know more about the process:
Do you intend to apply under the Caregiver Pilot Program?
If you are interested, please fill out the following form. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
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Al Parsai, MA, DTM, RCIC
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Ashton College Instructor – Immigration Consulting
Author – 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada
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