The Caregiver Pilot Program is a new program in Canada that allows foreign caregivers to come to Canada with open work permits, rather than the live-in caregiver program which required that caregivers live with the employer. The pilot program is designed to improve the working conditions for caregivers and provide them with more flexibility and mobility. It is also aimed at addressing the labour shortages in the caregiver occupation.
The pilot program is open to caregivers who wish to work in the following categories:
- Home Child Care Provider: Caregivers who are responsible for the care of children under the age of 18 years in a private home.
- Home Support Worker: Caregivers who provide care to elderly persons or persons with disabilities in a private home.
To be eligible for the Caregiver Pilot Program, a foreign worker must meet several requirements, such as:
- Have at least 6 months of full-time training or at least 1 year of full-time paid work experience in the field of childcare, elderly care or care for people with disabilities,
- Meet language requirements in English or French,
- Pass a medical examination,
- Have a job offer from a Canadian employer who has applied and been approved for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
- Have a valid work permit
The caregiver pilot program is a three-year program, and once the caregiver has completed two years of work with the same employer, they can apply for a new work permit without the need for a new LMIA.
