Immigration Corner | New, enhanced caregiver pilots

Dear Miss Powell,

I am writing to find out about the Live-in-Caregiver Programme in Canada. I have over five years experience as a personal support worker. Can you tell me how I can qualify to work and live in Canada? I have a sister who is living there, and I am hoping that I can also live there, too. Please let me know how I can apply.

MF

Dear MF,

The Live-in-Caregiver Programme is closed. However, Canada has similar programmes for persons who can demonstrate that they qualify to work in Canada as a home childcare worker or home support worker. These pilot programmes are scheduled to end in June 2024. However, recently the minister of immigration, Marc Miller, announced that Canada will replace those programmes with “new, enhanced caregiver pilots” which will now give caregivers the opportunity to apply for permanent residence on arrival in Canada.

HOW TO QUALIFY

Although we do not have the full details of the programme, you can expect that you will need to have all the requirements to get a work permit and demonstrate that you have the requirements to become a permanent resident in Canada. This means you must first have a valid job offer from an authorised employer. We also do not know the details about the work experience requirement. However, we know that you will be required to show your language test results and proof of education.

You will be required to provide proof of your competence in at least one of Canada’s official languages. For English, you will need to present language test results with a minimum of a Canadian Language Benchmark of four in one of the following examinations: the International English Language Testing System General Training, the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Programme General Language or the Pearson Test for English.

If you are able to speak French, then you will need to provide the results of the TEF Canada – Test d’evaluation de Francais, or the TCF Canada – Test de connaissance du Francais. You should speak with your local Alliance Française office to find out about scheduling the French language examination for immigration purpose in your home country.

You must demonstrate that you have the minimum of the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma to qualify. This means providing proof of completion of at least grade 12 at a high school, that would qualify you for post-secondary studies. If you have a college diploma or a university degree that you received from a non-Canadian school, then you are required to provide an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report for Canadian immigration purposes from one of the designated organisations, such as The World Education Services, International Credential Assessment Service Canada, or International Qualifications Assessment Service.

If you are contemplating applying when the programme is launched, I recommend that you immediately obtain the language test results, your ECA report and letters of employment. When I have more information about the programme, I will share it here or via my Facebook page.

If you have additional questions or concerns, I recommend that you book a consultation with an authorised Canadian immigration lawyer to assist you further.

Deidre S. Powell is an immigration lawyer, mediator, and notary public in Canada. Submit your questions and comments via WhatsApp or call 613-695-8777. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.