Jun 18, 2019 | Caregiver Program, Complete Representation, Featured, Immigrate to Canada, In the News, New Immigration Programs, New Laws, Temporary Foreign Workers, Work Permits, Working In Canada
New Caregiver Programs take effect today. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made changes to the In-Home Caregiver Program. These changes affect how employers hire caregivers and what is required as part of the approval process for both employers and caregivers. As of June 18, 2019 employers who are hiring caregivers from overseas are no longer required to submit an Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA) application for approval. Any LMIA application that was submitted on or before June 17, 2019 will continue to be processed and work permits for those caregivers will still continue to process as well. Caregivers who are currently in Canada on work permits that require extensions or those that are changing employers will require new LMIAs and new work permits.
There are now 2 new caregiver streams to consider when applying to hire a caregiver from overseas. Employers should consider starting early as it is expected to take about 12 months for a caregiver to arrive in Canada on a work permit.
Home Child Care Provider pilot (NOC 4411)
Home Support Worker pilot (NOC 4412)
General Program Requirements for Employers and Caregivers
- Employers will need to complete the job offer form
- Caregivers will need to submit an application for permanent residence along with a work permit application
- Caregivers can also apply for their spouses and children to accompany them to Canada and can obtain open work permits and study permits
- Caregivers must meet the eligibility criteria before applying for permanent residence, if eligible they will receive work permits to come to Canada
- Work permits will be valid for 3 years and will give the caregiver the opportunity to complete 24 months of full-time work as a caregiver
- Processing time can take up to 1 year for work permits to be issued.
- After the caregiver completes 24 months of work he/she will need to submit proof and their PR application will be finalized.
These new applications will require careful preparation by an authorized representative. It is strongly recommended that caregivers hire an authorized representative to ensure that their application will qualify and that they will achieve their goal of work permits and then eventually permanent residency in Canada.
For all inquiries, questions or concerns regarding these changes, please give us a call at +1-416-665-3939 or from inside Canada toll-free 1-888-808-7338.
Mar 4, 2019 | Caregiver Program, In the News, New Immigration Programs
As of Today, March 4, 2019 the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is accepting applications under the new Interim Caregiver Program. The intake period is open from today until June 4, 2019. In-Home Caregivers who have worked in Canada full-time for at least 12 months, pass the English test requirements and have at least a High School diploma, may apply under the new Interim Program.
Our office specializes in caregiver work permits, employer LMIA applications, and applications for caregivers who wish to become permanent residents of Canada. If you are a Caregiver who has completed at least 12 months of full-time paid work experience as a caregiver, even if you did not yet take your English test, or receive your credential evaluation for your education level, We can help you apply today!
We suggest that you call our office today to speak with the immigration consultant and determine if you qualify to apply under the Interim Program. If you wait too long, you may not be eligible in the future, or you may be required to wait longer and then be subjected to meeting some unknown program requirements; which are expected to be published in the coming months.
Call us today for a free consultation on how we can help you apply under the new Interim Program 1 (888) 808-7338
Feb 24, 2019 | Caregiver Program, In the News, New Immigration Programs, Permanent Residency, Working In Canada
On Saturday February 23, 2019, the Trudeau government made a much anticipated announcement regarding the foreign in-home caregiver program. Under these new caregiver programs, caregivers will be allowed to bring their spouses and children with them to Canada. These permanent residence programs will be replacing the program which had a limit of 4 years and is due to expire on November 29, 2019.
The new pilot programs, called Home Child Care Provider and the Home Support Worker programs will be opening later in the year with a total limit of 5,500 applications.
For many caregivers who arrived to work in Canada recently, permanent residence was doubtful as the current caregiver pathways to permanent residence expire on November 29, 2019. Caregivers who were unable to complete 24 months of work experience or did not have a post-secondary education credential were not eligible to apply.
The Trudeau government also announced that for those caregivers who are already in Canada, there is now an Interim Program designed to create a path for them to become permanent residents. The Interim Pathway requires a caregiver to have completed at least 12 months of paid work experience as a caregiver and pass minimum English language requirements.
Caregivers now have 4 ways to qualify and apply for permanent residence
- Interim Pathway for Caregivers
- Must have completed at least 12 months of work experience
- Must pass minimum English requirements
- Caregiver for Children Program
- Must have completed at least 24 months of work experience
- Must pass minimum English requirements
- Must have an post-secondary education credential of at least 1 year
- Caregiver for People with High Medical Needs
- Must have completed at least 24 months of work experience
- Must pass minimum English requirements
- Must have an post-secondary education credential of at least 1 year
- Live-in Caregiver Program
- You hold a LCP work permit
- Your employer submitted the LMO/LMIA prior to November 30, 2014
- Completed at least 24 months of full time work
Feb 7, 2018 | Caregiver Program, Immigrate to Canada, In the News, Work Permits
This has come to us as a surprise. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that they will no longer be accepting applications for the Caring for Children Program or the Caring for People with high Medical Needs Program. While the Canadian government did not formally make this announcement, the notice appears in regular text on the IRCC website. These two programs replaced the previous Live-In Caregiver Program (LICP) on November 29, 2014 and while the programs were a replacement, they were a pilot-project with a lifespan of 5 years, expiring on November 29, 2019.
Caregivers who will not complete 24 months of full-time work experience before November 29, 2019 will not be eligible to apply for permanent residence. As always, the federal government will now review the two programs and determine what they will do – either get rid of them completely, renew them or replace them with a different but similar program. It is very likely that an announcement will be made well before the expiration date of November 29, 2019.
Of course, many caregivers in Canada and abroad are confused, upset and were caught off guard by the news. Fear has spread throughout the caregiver community that this might just very well be the end of the caregiver program. The need for childcare and elderly care in Canada is well-known and there is a shortage in Canada. This unique one-of-a-kind program attracts caregivers from around the world whereby they leave their families and children behind to care for Canadian families. They make this sacrifice because of better employment prospects and wages in Canada.
Despite the uncertainty, it is believed that caregivers will continue to come to Canada in hopes for a chance to become permanent residents.
Caregivers who will complete their 24 months can contact our office for assistance with their application for permanent residence. We encourage those who meet the requirements to retain the services of an immigration representative to ensure their application is submitted properly to avoid disappointments, as this can be one of the only chances to get it right! Call our office at 416-665-3939 or toll-free 1-888-808-7338.
Oct 3, 2015 | Caregiver Program, Work Permits
You have an employer in Canada, an approved Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and you now need to apply for a caregiver work permit. What do you need to do to ensure you submit a complete and thorough application? What types of documents do you need to support your claims of knowledge and experience?
Depending on your country of citizenship or legal residence of more than one year, the documents required may vary. Always make sure to download the application package from Citizenship & Immigration Canada and carefully follow the instructions. Caregivers who simply fill out the forms, submit a basic reference letter and a police clearance may not always be approved. Prior to November 30, 2015, Regulation 112 of the Immigration & Refugee Protection Act required applicants to to meet the following requirements;
- complete high school, equivalent to 12 years of education, and
- complete either 12 months of work experience (in related occupation) or successful completion of a 6-month in-class caregiver course, and
- Have a good proficiency in English or French
After November 30, 2015, Regulation 112 of IRPA no longer applies and Canada immigration officers have slightly more discretion in making decisions on your work permit application.
Here’s how to ensure you submit a strong and complete caregiver work permit application:
- Ensure you review the requirements of the job that are indicated on the approved LMIA. You will need to meet these requirements, and provide evidence that you do.
- Complete the application forms and provide only true and complete information. Especially when you are completing your work and education history sections.
- Collect all required documents which are listed on the document checklist. Remember that if there is a document you cannot provide, writing an explanation letter will always be a good idea.
- Your reference letters should always be written by your employer and include the following information;
- your job title
- duration of your employment
- your salary or hourly wage
- the number of hours you worked per week
- a list of your main job duties and responsibilities
A CIC officer will eventually make a decision on your caregiver work permit application. If your application is refused, you cannot appeal the decision. If the LMIA application is still valid, you may wish to apply again for a work permit. Remember that you will need to provide new information, otherwise you will receive another refusal.
Our office represents many caregivers, both in Canada and overseas. If you experience issues with your caregiver work permit application, or you have received a refusal, feel free to contact us for a free consultation to determine what options you may have, and how we can help.
Dec 3, 2014 | Caregiver Program
Changes announced in the recent months have now been implemented. As of November 30, 2014 families seeking to hire caregivers for childcare, elder care or care for the disabled will have to endure the same painful process that corporations in Canada must go through to gain the approval to hire a foreign worker.
As of November 30, 2014:
- Live in Caregiver program is now called “In-Home Caregivers,”
- Employers have the option to hire caregivers, nurses, or aids depending on requirements of the job,
- Caregivers will have the choice of whether they wish to live-in or live-out,
- Families who will employ live-in’s cannot deduct or charge the worker for room and board,
- Employers must pay the median prevailing wage for the occupation in the city/province where the work will be performed,
- Employers hiring from abroad must advertise their position for a minimum of four (4) weeks and provide evidence of the results of their recruitment efforts,
- Two streams have been created for caregivers applying for permanent residence, with a total of 5,500 applications accepted per year.
Employers must submit an application for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and pay a $1000 filing fee. There are no refunds for a refusal. Refusals cannot be appealed or reconsidered and therefore it is imperative that the employer is aware of the requirements before submitting an application. For this reason, it is highly recommended for employers to seek professional assistance with the preparation and submission of the application.
Call our office for more information.
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