As a country known for its prosperity, diverse work opportunities and immigrant-friendly policies, Canada welcomes caregivers from around the world. The caregiver visa offers an important opportunity for those who want to work in services such as child, elderly or patient care. As C&C Canada Education and Immigration Consultancy, in this article, we will discuss what you need to know about the Canadian caregiver visa. From the application requirements to how you can find a job as a caregiver in Canada, we will explore the details.
What is a Canadian Caregiver Visa?
The Canadian Caregiver Visa is designed for foreign nationals who want to work in services such as child, elderly or patient care. This visa provides an opportunity to work legally in Canada and obtain permanent residency, especially for those with experience in the care sector. For employers with a positive Canadian Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), you can work temporarily in work areas NOC 44100 or NOC 44101. The caregiver occupation includes two different National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes, as job responsibilities can vary greatly depending on the people being cared for:
● NOC 44100: Home-based childcare providers: This includes people who provide care for children in their own home or in the employer's home, for example a babysitter or nanny.
● NOC 44101: Home support workers: This covers people who provide personal care and companionship to the elderly, disabled and recovering persons in the employer's home.
As can be seen, the definition of caregiver does not include people who provide medical or personal care or companionship in a day care center, nursing home or other institution. This means that only caregivers who provide services in their own homes or in their employer's homes are eligible for a "Work Permit" and "Permanent Residence" (PR) under the Caregivers program.
This is a process run through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and allows for faster processing times for those who want to work as caregivers in Canada.
Ready to start your journey as a caregiver in Canada? Click here to begin your application process with our expert guidance.
Application Process and Requirements:
If you live outside Canada and will work in Quebec, or if you are currently in Canada and hold a valid study or work permit, you can apply for a work permit as a home child care provider or home support worker through the TFWP. If you plan to work in Quebec and are also eligible to apply for a work permit from within Canada, your application can proceed. If you wish to work in another caregiving profession, you must follow the standard process to obtain a work permit in Canada.
Candidates wishing to enter Canada on a caregiver visa must meet the following key requirements:
Education and Experience: Candidates must have at least a high school diploma and relevant work experience in the caregiving sector.
Language Proficiency: Proficiency in English or French must be demonstrated with specific scores from language tests such as IELTS or CELPIP.
Health and Safety Checks: Candidates must provide a medical examination and a clean criminal record to demonstrate compliance with Canada's health and safety standards.
Job Offer: A valid job offer from an employer in Canada is required.
How is the application process?
Finding a Job and Receiving an Offer: Communicate with employers in Canada to receive a job offer. This is the most crucial step of the process.
Preparing Application Documents:
○ Educational Documents: High school diploma and other relevant documents.
○ Experience Evidence: Reference letters demonstrating previous work experience.
○ Language Test Results: IELTS or CELPIP scores.
○ Medical Examination: Health report.
○ Criminal Record Check: A clean criminal record.
Online Application: Fill out the application form on the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) website and upload your documents.
Payment of Application Fee: Pay the fee online.
Biometric Information: Provide your fingerprints and biometric photo.
Tracking the Application: Follow updates provided by IRCC throughout the process.
Not sure if you meet all the requirements? Reach out to us for a personalized eligibility assessment and ensure your application is on the right track.
Average Salaries and Working Hours for Child, Elderly and Patient Caregivers in Canada
Salaries and working hours for working as a caregiver in Canada can vary depending on the field you work in, your experience and the city. In general, caregiver salaries in Canada:
● Child Caregivers: Ranges from $15-25 CAD per hour.
● Elderly Caregivers: Ranges between $15-30 CAD per hour.
● Patient Caregivers: Ranges from $18 to $35 CAD per hour.
A full-time caregiver is expected to work 30 to 40 hours per week, depending on your employment contract. If you work as a live-in caregiver, you are not expected to work continuously, even though you live in your employer's home. Your employer must abide by the terms of your contract and cannot force you to work longer hours or be available at all times.
How to Get a Job as a Caregiver in Canada
There are several ways to find a job as a caregiver in Canada:
● Online Job Ads: You can search for caregiver jobs in Canada on sites like Indeed, Monster and Workopolis.
● Employment Agencies: You can contact agencies that offer caregiver jobs in Canada.
● Networking: You can get information about job opportunities by making connections with people you know living in Canada or through social media.
● Immigration Consulting Firms: You can facilitate your job search process through consulting firms such as C&C Canada.
You can subscribe to our weekly newsletter to receive information on the latest changes and opportunities in immigration policies for caregivers in Canada and other immigration related issues in Canada.
What are the Permanent Residency (PR) Programs for Caregivers in Canada?
The Home-based Child Care Provider Pilot and Home-based Support Worker Pilot are 5-year pilot programs that allow qualified caregivers and family members to come to Canada for permanent residence.
If you have been offered a job as a caregiver in Canada or have experience working as a caregiver in Canada, you can apply for permanent residence through these pilot programs. The application process will vary depending on your situation and the qualifying work experience you have.
The Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot closed for applications in June 2024. However, there is a possibility that the government may extend the pilot programs or formalize them as permanent migration programs.
Both pilot programs have two eligibility categories. The two pilots are very similar in terms of eligibility criteria and application process, the only difference is the NOC category of your work experience. Remember:
● NOC 44100: Home-based child care providers: This includes people who provide care for children in their own home or in the employer's home, for example a babysitter or nanny.
● NOC 44101: Home support workers: This includes persons who provide personal care and companionship to the elderly, disabled and recovering persons in the employer's home.
These programs place an annual limit on the number of applications to be accepted under each category. Once program limits are reached, no new applications are accepted for that year. However, you can apply again the following year when applications open.
To discover more about the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot, don’t hesitate to contact us at C&C Education and Immigration Consultancy.
Eligibility and Requirements for PR for Caregivers:
You have a genuine and valid job offer
○ Full-time job with paid work for at least 30 hours a week
○ Outside Quebec
○ The employer must not be a business, embassy, high commissioner or consulate in Canada
○ By someone who employs you directly for your own care or for someone with whom you have a personal relationship (e.g. parent, spouse or child)
You must have the ability to work
You must meet the language level requirements
○ Minimum language ability of CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French for all four language skills (speaking, reading, writing, listening)
You must meet the education requirements
○ You must have a higher education degree completed in Canada for at least 1 year. If you have a degree outside Canada, it must be equivalent to a higher education diploma completed in Canada for at least 1 year.
You must be eligible to enter Canada
You must plan to live permanently outside Quebec (the program covers provinces other than Quebec)
You only need 6 months of work experience to qualify.
In the Gaining Experience category, we accept eligible work experience gained in or outside Canada up to 36 months prior to the date you submit your application for permanent residence.
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