The Canadian government has a successful track record with pilot programs, as evidenced by the nearly 5,700 caregivers and their family members who have become Permanent residents since the launch of the home childcare provider pilot and the home Support worker pilot in 2019. Building on this success, the Honorable Marc Miller, the minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship, announced a new care pilot called the Caregiver Pilot program on June 3, 2024. This program aims to admit over 15,000 caregivers as permanent residents in 2024-2026, significantly boosting immigration levels to address Canada’s ageing population.
Caregivers from abroad play a crucial role in Canadian families, and their hard work makes a profound difference in the lives of those they care for be it children, seniors, or persons with disabilities. The new Caregiver Pilot Program recognises this and provides home care workers with permanent residence (PR) on arrival in Canada. This allows them to work for organisations that provide temporary or part-time care for semi-independent people recovering from an injury or illness. It also allows them to find proper work with reliable employers.
To get involved in this caregiver pilot program, one needs to check one’s eligibility, though Canadian pilot programs vary depending on the criteria one needs eligibility for. Below listed are the main requirements: work experiences- candidate needs relevant work experience in a specific occupation which is targeted by the pilot program; language proficiency in either English or French; however, candidates in Non-European countries need to take language tests like IELTS, Candidate must also provide an educational certificate with the minimum of high school or diploma, financial security is also required, candidate must have sufficient funds to support him or herself, there is a need for health and security clearance as far as this offer is concern this would ensure that candidate is not objectionable for health or security reason. Lastly, the candidate must receive a full-time home care job offer. The eligible candidate who is interested and needs to apply for this offer can do it via the new permanent residence online application portal.”