February 26, 2018

Caregiver Programs Under Review

IRCC recently announced that caregivers who have not acquired two years of work experience by 29 November 2019 will not be eligible for permanent residence. In other words, foreign nationals arriving in Canada after 29 November 2017 to work as caregivers will not have time to obtain the required experience to qualify for permanent residence. The announcement came as a surprise as the federal government has continued to process caregiver applications since last November.

Foreign nationals often seek employment as caregivers in Canada with the hope of becoming permanent residents and being able to provide a better life for themselves and their families. Moreover, caregivers provide an important service by reassuring Canadians that their loved ones are cared for and enabling them to go to work.

Both the Caring for Children Program and the Caring for People with High Medical Needs pilot programs were launched on 29 November 2014 and are undergoing review. The federal government will determine whether these programs will be renewed, revised, or discontinued.