On February 23, 2019, the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) announced an interim pathway for foreign caregivers who did not qualify for Canadian permanent residency. Most of these caregivers came to Canada after 30 November 2014 and were unable to acquire permanent citizenship. The good news is that, as from March 4, 2019, these foreign caregivers have the chance to apply for permanent residency and even succeed. The process runs open until June 4, 2019. Additionally, Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada also declared their plan to unveil two upgraded five-year trial programs. The pilot programs aim at including spouses and needy children with caregivers who live and work in Canada and thereby give them a direct pathway to acquiring permanent residence after two years.
Temporary Pathway for Caregivers
The 3-month interim pathway program is only available for caregivers who have acquired work experience in Canada from November 30, 2014, through Canada’s TFWP (Temporary Foreign Worker Program). A candidates work experience must be in line with descriptions and list of primary duties as per Canada’s National Occupational Classification group 4411/4412. Foreign caregivers planning to reside outside Quebec are required to have the following, to qualify for the interim pathway:
- Work permit – an authorization to work in Canada instead of a live-in program work permit.
- Applied for renewal of a work permit other than of a live-in Caregiver program work permit
- Applied and is eligible for restoration of status, holding a Caregiver Program work permit as the most recent work permit
- English and French language skills of at least a CLB/NCLC 5
- 12 months of full-time work experience in Canada
- At least a Canadian high school diploma, or non-Canadian educational credentials, that are equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma.
The IRCC does not limit the number of applicants for the interim program for caregivers. However, those whose most recent work permit is through the live-in caregiver program, will not qualify for consideration through the temporary pathway. This measure came due to complaints by some caregivers who came to Canada under the then pilot program, which had replaced Canada’s live-in caregiver program in November 2014. IRCC confirmed that the interim program would have improved criteria and provide a pathway to permanent residence for caregivers who are deprived of it, but have a genuine reason to stay in Canada, and are offering care for Canadians.
