The Interim Pathway for Caregivers is a temporary program running from March 4th to June 4th, 2019. Foreign caregivers with Canadian experience will be able to apply for permanent resident status.

The Interim Pathway for Caregivers is a program open from March 4th, 2019 to June 4th, 2019. The program allows individuals with Canadian work experience as home child care providers or home support workers to apply for permanent resident status before two new caregiver programs are opened later in 2019. After the June 4th deadline, the program will no longer accept new applications, paving the way for two new pilot programs:

1. Home Child Care Provider Pilot
2. Home Support Worker Pilot

Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible for the Interim Pathway for Caregivers, a person must meet a number of eligibility criteria, with a specific requirement to have work experience in Canada as a home child care provider (NOC 4411) or home support worker (NOC 4412). Please refer below for the specific eligibility criteria:

Status in Canada

You must have a valid work permit in Canada, or have applied to extend your work permit and be waiting on a decision, or have applied to restore your status as a worker.

You are not eligible if your application to extend your work permit or restore your status is refused. As well, if your work permit was issued through the Live-in Caregiver Program, you are not eligible for this pathway.

Work Experience

You must have at least 12-months of full-time work experience in Canada gained since November 30th, 2014. This work experience must be in one of two occupations (or a combination of both):

• Home child care provider (NOC 4411)
• Home support worker (NOC 4412)

You are allowed to have breaks in employment, it does not have to be continuous. Work experience does not qualify if it was gained while the worker was a full-time student.

Language Proficiency

All applicants must demonstrate proficiency in either English or French. Applicants must submit results from an official language test taken less than two years prior showing proficiency at CLB Level 5.

Education

You must have an educational credential equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma. If the credential was completed outside of a Canada, the applicant will require an Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA).

Application Procedure

The Interim Pathway for Caregivers uses a paper-based application system. This means that all forms and documents must be printed, signed, and submit in hard copy by mail. Please refer to the IRCC official webpage to download the application form and document checklist.

In order to be considered complete, an application must include the following:

• Required application and forms (signed where necessary)
• Fee payment receipt
• All supporting documents

Certain applicants will require medical exams, police certificates, educational credentials assessment (ECA), and/or biometrics. If in doubt, contact an immigration professional to advise on your application.

Once you are confident your application is complete, you must mail it to IRCC’s Case Processing Centre in Edmonton, Alberta.

Processing times for the Interim Pathway for Caregivers are listed at 12 months.