Permanent residents

Canada’s Caregiver Program: A pathway for immigrating and building a new life in Canada

Anushka

January 24, 2025

Canada's Caregiver Program: A pathway for immigrating and building a new life in Canada

Key takeaways

Eligibility for PR: You must have a job offer in Canada or two years of Canadian work experience as a caregiver to qualify for permanent residence.

Processing Time: PR applications under the Caregiver program typically take 30 to 36 months to process, but it can take 5 years or more if you’re applying through the Gaining Experience category due to the time required to accumulate work experience.

Application Fees: The total application fee for PR is $1,085, with additional fees for those applying through the Gaining Experience category, including a $155 work permit fee and an $85 biometric fee.

Canada is currently experiencing a considerable shortage of caregivers, prompting the government to actively encourage foreign workers with the necessary skills and experience to take on caregiving roles and immigrate permanently. Caregiving is a respected and valuable profession, and there are numerous opportunities available in various sectors such as child care, senior care, and home support work in Canada.

The Caregiver Program is a pilot immigration initiative designed to allow home child care workers and home support workers to qualify for permanent residence (PR) in Canada. If you’re interested in pursuing a caregiving career in Canada, this program might provide an opportunity for you to obtain a work permit or even permanent residence, helping you achieve your goal of settling in the country. This article provides a detailed overview of how to immigrate to Canada under the Caregiver program, covering the different categories of caregiving roles, eligibility criteria, and the application process.

Canada's Caregiver Program: A pathway for immigrating and building a new life in Canada

Who is considered a caregiver in Canada?

In Canada, a caregiver is someone who provides care for children, seniors, people with disabilities, or individuals who are ill. The specific responsibilities of a caregiver can vary depending on the individual they are caring for, which is why caregiving jobs fall under two distinct National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes:

  1. Home child care providers: These caregivers look after children either in their own homes or at an employer’s residence. This category includes roles like babysitters and nannies.
  2. Home support workers: These caregivers assist seniors, individuals with disabilities, and people recovering from illness by providing personal care and companionship in their employer’s home.

For the purposes of immigration to Canada, caregivers do not include individuals providing medical care or personal care in institutional settings, such as daycare centers, nursing homes, or other facilities. This means that only caregivers who provide services in private homes, either their own or their employer’s, are eligible to apply for permanent residence under the Caregiver Program. Additionally, this includes live-in caregivers and home support workers who reside with their employer during the term of their employment, often referred to as nannies.

In-demand caregiver jobs in Canada

Caregivers are in high demand across several provinces and territories in Canada. Depending on your area of expertise, you may be able to find positions as a home child care provider or home support worker. The table below outlines the regions where caregiving occupations are sought and the alternative job titles associated with each role under the caregiver National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes.

In-Demand OccupationAlternative Job TitlesProvinces/Territories Where These Jobs Are in Demand
Home Child Care ProvidersNanny, Babysitter, Child Care – Live-in Caregiver, Child Care Provider, Parent’s HelperOntario, Alberta, Manitoba, Canada’s Territories (Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut)
Home Support Workers, Caregivers, and Related OccupationsAttendant for Persons with Disabilities – Home Care, Family Caregiver, Home Support Worker, Live-in Caregiver – Seniors, Personal Aide – Home Support, Personal Care Attendant – Home Care, Respite Worker – Home Support, DoulaOntario, Manitoba, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Yukon

This table shows where these caregiving roles are most needed and the various job titles that are categorized under the NOC codes.

Canada's Caregiver Program: A pathway for immigrating and building a new life in Canada

How much do caregivers earn in Canada?

Caregiver salaries in Canada can vary depending on factors such as the province, city, and your level of experience. According to Canada’s Job Bank, home child care workers earn a median hourly wage of $17, with the potential to earn up to $23.12 per hour in areas where demand is high or if you possess significant experience. Similarly, home support workers have a median hourly wage of $18, which can rise to $25 per hour.

As a full-time caregiver, you can expect to work 30 to 40 hours a week as outlined in your employment contract. It’s important to remember that even if you’re a live-in caregiver, you’re not required to work around the clock. Your employer must follow the terms of your contract and cannot ask you to work extra hours beyond what has been agreed upon.

Another consideration is the cost of living. If you are a live-in caregiver, you’ll have the advantage of not having to pay for accommodation. Rent in Canada can range from $800 to $1,800 per month for a one-bedroom apartment, and many Canadians spend between 30% and 50% of their income on housing. As a live-in caregiver, you’ll be able to save this portion of your income.

How to find caregiver jobs in Canada

If you have caregiving experience in your home country, finding a job in Canada can still be a challenge. The Canadian job market might differ significantly from what you’re accustomed to, and you may need to adapt your approach. Here are some steps to help you secure a caregiving job in Canada:

Understand local job market requirements

The demand for caregivers and the specific qualifications Canadian employers seek may differ by region. It’s essential to research job postings to identify which skills and certifications are in demand. Some positions may require specific training, which could be your first step in preparing for the Canadian job market.

Obtain additional certifications and in-demand skills

To enhance your employability, consider obtaining certifications or skills that are commonly required in Canada. For example, many caregiving roles, especially for child care and nanny positions, require applicants to have first aid and CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) certification.

Create a Canadian-style resume

The format of your resume may need to be adjusted for the Canadian job market. Depending on your experience, you should tailor your resume to each job you apply for, incorporating keywords from the job description. A cover letter is also crucial, as it allows you to elaborate on your caregiving experience, explain why you are passionate about the role, and why you would be a good fit for the employer.

Use job search platforms and agencies

Job search websites like Job Bank, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Monster, GrabJobs, and Indeed are excellent resources for finding caregiving positions. You can also explore platforms like Care.com and CanadianNannies, or seek out agencies that connect caregivers with families in need of home support services.

Network professionally

Networking can help you discover job opportunities that may not be advertised publicly. Connecting with other caregivers or potential employers on LinkedIn, or even engaging in one-on-one conversations, can provide insights into the job market and hiring processes. Networking is also a great way to learn about the skills employers are looking for and to build relationships within the caregiving community.

Canada's Caregiver Program: A pathway for immigrating and building a new life in Canada

Getting a Canadian work permit as a caregiver: Temporary residence

Caregivers from around the world come to Canada to work temporarily, and most require a work permit to do so. Canada offers two types of work permits: open work permits and employer-specific work permits.

An open work permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada, whereas an employer-specific work permit restricts you to working for a single employer. To qualify for an employer-specific work permit, you will need a job offer from a Canadian employer. Before hiring foreign workers, Canadian employers generally need to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from the government. The LMIA confirms that there are insufficient qualified Canadian candidates for the job, allowing the employer to hire from abroad.

On the other hand, open work permits are granted under specific conditions, such as when you’ve applied for permanent residence, are an international student who has graduated from a Canadian university or college and is eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, are the spouse or common-law partner of someone with a study or work permit, or are a refugee or protected person in Canada.

Working as a caregiver in Canada temporarily not only gives you valuable experience in your field but also presents an opportunity to qualify for permanent residence (PR) in Canada once you gain some Canadian work experience.

Processing time for PR applications under the Caregiver Program

The processing time for permanent residence (PR) applications through the Caregiver program generally takes between 30 and 36 months. However, this timeframe can vary based on factors such as the volume of applications and other influencing elements, so it’s recommended to check the government website for updated estimates on processing times.

It’s important to note that this timeline does not include the period it takes to obtain your work permit or to accumulate the necessary qualifying experience for PR. For individuals applying through the Gaining Experience category, the entire process—considering both the time needed to acquire the required caregiving experience and the PR application—can extend to five years or longer before achieving permanent residence in Canada.

Applications for Caregiver Immigration Programs

Although caregivers are in high demand in Canada, foreign applicants can only qualify for permanent residence through a caregiver pilot program after accumulating at least two years of Canadian work experience. These programs, however, make it easier for foreign nationals to gain the caregiving experience required to later qualify for PR. Alternatively, you can pursue temporary residence pathways, such as obtaining a work permit to enter Canada as a caregiver, and then apply for PR through other available immigration programs.

Conclusion

The Caregiver program in Canada offers a valuable pathway for foreign caregivers to gain work experience and ultimately achieve permanent residence. While the application process involves several steps, including obtaining a job offer and meeting eligibility criteria, Canada’s demand for caregivers provides opportunities for those willing to contribute to the sector. Whether you’re applying through the Gaining Experience or Direct to PR categories, the program facilitates the transition from temporary work to permanent settlement in Canada.


Anushka

Senior Marketing Manager, Beacon