Caregiver home nurse pilot – RainCity Immigration Ltd

Immigrating to Canada as a Caregiver

In recent years, the average life expectancy of Canadian citizens has increased. Consequently, the elderly and those with disabilities need home caregivers to assist them with personal and daily tasks. Canada is facing a shortage of home caregivers, which is why since 2019, it has introduced two pilot programs, namely the Home Support Worker Pilot Program and the Home Child Care Provider Pilot Program.

These pilot programs have created many job opportunities for foreign caregivers and are generally known as elderly home caregivers and child caregivers. Additionally, these two programs offer many benefits and have relatively simple application requirements. In this article, we will explore the duties of home caregivers and child caregivers, the necessary conditions for applying, and their job market.

Note:

The Home Child Care and Home Support Worker pilot programs were discontinued on June 17, 2024. Currently, Canada has introduced new pilot programs through which applicants can directly apply for permanent residency in Canada. This page will be updated regularly with information related to the new programs. The conditions for the old programs are still available to you for now.

Benefits of working as a home caregiver in Canada

Applying for job positions as an elderly home caregiver and child caregiver has many advantages, which we will examine in order.

Plenty of job opportunities and a high acceptance rate

The job position of home caregiver has recently come onto the agenda of Canada’s immigration department, as Canada is facing a shortage of home caregivers. This is why your chances of being accepted and receiving a work permit are very high.

Possibility of obtaining permanent residency in Canada

One of the most important benefits of this job position is the possibility of obtaining permanent residency, which you can apply for after 12 months of work experience.

Easy conditions for obtaining a work visa

The caregiver programs for seniors and children have relatively simple requirements for obtaining work visas because:

You don’t need a positive LMIA.

You don’t need a high level of language skill.

You will be allowed to study

The home caregiver program allows you to study while working as a caregiver or nurse. There are different educational programs with varying durations at universities and colleges in Canada. Continuing your education in Canada increases your chances of getting better job positions.

Flexible working hours

You can coordinate with your employer to have flexible working hours, allowing you to dedicate your free time to studying or personal matters.

Ability to change employers

Another advantage of this job opportunity is that you can change your employer without needing a new job offer or changing your work visa.

Opportunity for your family members to work and study

If you arrive in Canada with a home caregiver visa, your spouse, dependents, and children will be allowed to work and study in Canada. Your spouse is eligible for an open work visa, and your children can attend public schools for free.

The duties of home caregivers in Canada

The duties of home caregivers in Canada refer to those who take care of children, seniors, or individuals with disabilities. These individuals are called caregivers. Home caregivers can work for others on a long-term or short-term basis. They do not provide medical care but assist in fulfilling the daily needs of children, seniors, and disabled individuals.

Given that caregivers take care of seniors and disabled individuals or children, they have various responsibilities, which are as follows:

Duties of caregivers for seniors, disabled individuals, and those with low ability.

Assisting with the individual’s basic needs, dressing, walking, etc.

Helping maintain the personal hygiene of the senior or disabled individual (bathing, etc.)

Monitoring the individual’s medication intake and performing minor medical tasks such as changing dressings or diapers for seniors.

Preparing meals for the individual based on their specific diet.

Assisting with household tasks such as cleaning, shopping, laundry, etc.

Caring for the individual during recovery (for example, post-surgery recovery).

It’s worth mentioning that this category of services and duties is the same for domestic service workers under NOC 4412.

Duties of child caregivers in Canada.

Child caregivers must properly carry out the following responsibilities:

– Behaving with caution and kindness towards children

– Adhering to safety standards in child care

– Respecting family privacy and demonstrating responsible and professional behavior

– Providing helpful educational activities for children

– Teaching personal hygiene and social skills to the child

– Preparing nutritious meals for the child and encouraging them to try new foods

– Assisting the child with personal tasks

– Communicating with the child’s parents and keeping them informed about conditions (even in the event of unfortunate occurrences)

– Bathing and changing the diapers of infants

– Taking the child to school and picking them up

– Taking the child on outings and providing care

– Additionally, knowledge of first aid and medical care is considered an advantage for home caregivers.

Immigration programs for home caregivers to Canada

The Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) allow Canadian employers to hire foreign home caregivers through several immigration programs. However, all previous immigration programs related to home caregivers in Canada are now closed, and new programs are being introduced.

Enhanced Caregiver Pilot Programs (2)

Through this program, home caregivers for children and the elderly can directly obtain permanent residency in Canada.

Home Child Care Provider Pilot Program

Currently, this program is closed to new applicants.

Home Support Worker Pilot Program

Currently, this program is closed to new applicants.

The Live-in Caregiver Program - LCP

Currently, this program is closed to new applicants.

In-Home Caregiver Programs: Caring for Children and Caring for People with High Medical Needs

Currently, this programs are closed to new applicants.

Interim Pathway for Caregivers

Currently, this program is closed to new applicants.

New conditions for obtaining a home caregiver work visa in Canada

– Achieving a minimum language score of CLB 4

– Having at least an educational qualification equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma

– Having relevant work experience

– Having a job offer for full-time work in Canada

- Conditions for the Home Child Care and Home Support Worker programs (now stopped)

To immigrate to Canada through the Home Child Care and Home Support Worker program, there are some common requirements that all applicants need to meet:

You need to have a job offer from a qualified Canadian employer (if you have less than 12 months of related Canadian work experience).

You must have an English or French language certificate at the IELTS 6 level.

You should have completed a training course related to caring for the elderly, disabled individuals, or children (to obtain a job offer).

You need to have relevant work experience caring for the elderly, disabled individuals, or children (for those without work experience, a temporary program is defined, which will be explained later).

At least 6 months of your work experience should have been close to your employer.

You must be at least 19 years old.

You should apply for a province other than Quebec (the conditions for obtaining a job approval as a home caregiver in Quebec are different, which will be explained later).

If you meet all these conditions, you can get a work visa for Canada and start working as a home caregiver in Canada, then obtain permanent residency for yourself and your family.

The immigration conditions for home caregivers to Canada are easier compared to those for hospital nurses.

Currently, obtaining a work visa through home caregiving is not as difficult as before, and it doesn’t require LMIA approval or a high language score. For obtaining a work visa and then permanent residency in Canada, individuals are divided into two categories based on whether they have 12 months of relevant Canadian work experience:

Experience Category (Category A): People who have less than 12 months of relevant Canadian work experience.

Direct Permanent Residency Category (Category B): People who have at least 12 months of relevant Canadian work experience.

Conditions for the Experience Category (Category A)

Individuals with less than 12 months of relevant Canadian work experience must meet the following conditions:

Have a job offer from a Canadian employer in one of the occupations classified under NOC code 44100 (In-home Child Care Provider) or NOC code 44101 (In-home Caregiver for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities):

Under NOC code 44100 (In-home Child Care Provider):

You must care for children under the age of 18.

Child care can take place in your own home or at the employer’s home. Therefore, it is not mandatory to live at the employer’s residence while caring for the child.

Caring for an adopted child does not fall under this job category.

Under NOC code 44101 (In-home Caregiver for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities):

You must care for seniors over 65 years old or individuals with physical disabilities.

Care for seniors or persons with disabilities can occur in your own home or at the employer’s home. Therefore, it is not mandatory to live at the employer’s residence.

Housekeeping experience does not qualify in this job category.

Have a score of 6 CLB in all four skills: reading, listening, writing, and speaking, or equivalent scores:

Equivalent to General IELTS with scores (Reading: 5, Listening: 6, Writing: 5, Speaking: 6) or

Equivalent to General CELPIP with scores (Reading: 6, Listening: 6, Writing: 6, Speaking: 6).

A minimum one-year course diploma from a college or university (from Canadian universities or an equivalent credential).

Applications must be made for provinces in Canada other than Quebec.

To obtain permanent residency: Proof of at least 12 months of full-time work experience with remuneration (30 hours per week) in a relevant NOC occupation after gaining relevant Canadian work experience with a work visa.

Conditions for Direct Permanent Residency Category (Category B)

Individuals with at least 12 months of relevant Canadian work experience must meet the following conditions:

Have a score of 6 CLB in all four skills: reading, listening, writing, and speaking, or equivalent scores:

Equivalent to General IELTS with scores (Reading: 5, Listening: 6, Writing: 5, Speaking: 6) or

Equivalent to General CELPIP with scores (Reading: 6, Listening: 6, Writing: 6, Speaking: 6).

A minimum one-year course diploma from a college or university (from Canada or an equivalent credential).

Proof of at least 12 months of full-time work experience with remuneration (30 hours per week) in a relevant NOC occupation.

Necessary documents for obtaining a home caregiver work visa in Canada

Since applying for a home caregiver work visa requires simultaneous application for permanent residency in Canada, the documents mentioned here include those necessary for both the work visa and permanent residency application:

A job offer letter from a Canadian employer (for individuals in Category A who have less than 12 months of relevant Canadian work experience)

A scan of all pages of a valid passport and travel history

A scan of the translated birth certificate

A scan of the translated marriage certificate (if applicable)

A scan of English language test results like IELTS General or CELPIP, or scores

Employment documents demonstrating your ability to work as a home caregiver for children or the elderly, such as a relevant job letter, insurance records, or employment contract (for individuals in Category B who have a minimum of 12 months of relevant Canadian work experience)

A scan of the official translation of academic degrees and transcripts along with the Persian version

An educational credential assessment report or equivalency from WES or ICAS

A criminal background check certificate

Two passport-sized photos (3.5×4.5 cm)

Complete and sign the forms related to the Home Child Care Provider Pilot Program or Home Support Worker Pilot Program.

Complete and sign the forms for the Work Permit Outside of Canada application.

Since you have a job offer, there’s no need to provide proof of funds; you just need to show that you can cover the initial costs for yourself and your family for immigration to Canada.

Steps to obtain a home caregiver work visa and permanent residency in Canada

The steps to obtain a work visa and permanent residency through the home caregiver program were possible through the two categories we discussed earlier. However, these programs are currently suspended.

The steps for the new programs will be posted on this page soon.

- Steps for the Home Child Care and Home Support Worker programs(now stopped)

Depending on whether you have at least 12 months of relevant Canadian work experience or not, the steps are as follows:

Category A work experience accumulation

If you’re outside Canada and have less than 12 months or no related Canadian work experience, you can get a Canadian home caregiver work visa, but you can’t apply for it independently. This means you need to apply for both the Canadian work visa and permanent residency at the same time. This type of work permit is called an Occupation-Restricted Open Work Permit (OROWP).

Even people with no relevant work experience can apply for either a Bridging Open Work Permit or a limited work permit based on their resumes, so their cases can be reviewed. However, it’s important to note that this option will expire by June 2024.

Once you receive your work visa (work permit), your residency application will remain open until you provide proof of at least 12 months of full-time work in Canada and submit the necessary job documents to Canadian immigration.

Generally, individuals in this category need to follow these steps:

Get a valid job offer from a Canadian employer. The proposed job must fall under NOC code 44100 (Home Child Care Provider) or NOC code 44101 (Home Support Worker for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities).

Prepare the necessary documents.

Depending on the desired job, simultaneously:

Apply for permanent residency in Canada through the Home Child Care Provider Pilot Program or Home Support Worker Pilot Program.

Apply for a work visa for Canada (Work Permit).

Complete your fingerprinting process at one of the Visa Application Centers (VAC) located in nearby countries.

After receiving your work visa, start working in the related job in Canada.

Gain at least 12 months of relevant Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residency and then submit your employment history to Canadian immigration.

Direct Permanent Residency Category (Category B)

If you are inside Canada and have at least 12 months of relevant Canadian work experience, you just need to send your employment documents and permanent residency application to Immigration Canada.

People in this category do not need to apply for a restricted work visa like those in Category A for OROWP. Instead, they may qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP). This type of work permit allows you to stay and work in Canada while waiting for the outcome of your permanent residency application.

Extension of work permits for home caregivers in Canada

Depending on your specific circumstances, you may not apply for permanent residency in Canada, so you can extend your work permit for a period. To do this, you can apply for a positive LMIA approval through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) from your employer and then visit the labor office with this approval to extend your work permit. Don’t forget to take the necessary steps at least 30 days before your work permit expires.

Home caregiver visa in Quebec, Canada

The requirements for obtaining a visa for home caregivers in Quebec, Canada, are different, and for this purpose, you need to apply for the Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) and the federal government visa so that your points can be assessed and a final decision can be made.

The application conditions for Quebec are almost the same as in other provinces, but you need to have a reasonable understanding of the French language. Also, to work in Quebec, Canada, you need a positive LMIA approval from your employer.

How much is the salary of home caregivers in Canada in 2024?

The average annual salary for home caregivers in Canada is $30,600, and they earn about $15.69 per hour on average.

The annual salary for newly hired home caregivers is $25,838, while experienced caregivers earn an average of $45,045 per year.

It’s worth noting that:

The average salary for pediatric nurses is about CAD 33,000 per year. The average salary for geriatric nurses is around CAD 28,000 per year. Also, your work experience and skills can greatly influence your salary. In the table below, we will break down the annual average earnings of home care nurses for the elderly and pediatric nurses by province. The amounts are stated in Canadian dollars.

Provinces of Canada	Elderly Home Care Nurses	Pediatric Home Care Nurses
Ontario	33,280	39,500
British Columbia	39,500	41,600
Alberta	35,360	35,360
Saskatchewan	31,200	41,800
Manitoba	31,200	31,200
Quebec	33,280	35,900

It’s worth mentioning that the amount earned by home care nurses can vary by province, and in this section, we have only referred to the average income of some provinces that are more popular among immigrants.

Labor market for home care nurses in Canada

The job market for home care nurses in Canada is quite broad, and the Canadian government is always on the lookout for home care nurses with various specialties, such as pediatric nurses, professional nurses, geriatric nurses, and more. Right now, the demand for home care nurses is increasing in Canada because the senior population is growing, and they need nurses to meet their needs. Moreover, in some areas of Canada, there’s a higher demand for home care nurses with specific specialties, like pediatric nursing.

Since the job market for home care nurses in Canada is competitive, it’s better to have relevant work experience and education, as well as good English language skills to boost your chances of success in this profession. It is predicted that by the end of 2031, about 34,500 new job opportunities for home care nurses and 10,000 opportunities for pediatric nurses will open up in Canada, making it a great opportunity for immigrants to test their luck for obtaining permanent residency in Canada.

To find job opportunities in the home care nursing profession, it’s best to reach out to job websites related to this field and also to home care nursing hiring committees in Canada. These websites or committees can offer you better job opportunities and guide you to find the most suitable position.

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Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to hire a home caregiver in Canada who is a relative of yours?

Yes. All the regulations for assessing the conditions of home caregivers apply equally to relatives and non-relatives. Officers cannot reject the application just because a relative is going to work for you.

In which provinces of Canada are home caregivers in higher demand?

Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Yukon.

Is the job of a home caregiver in Canada considered to be a high-skilled position?

No, these jobs are considered low-skilled positions.

What are home caregivers in Canada not allowed to do?

Home caregivers for children or the elderly in Canada are not allowed to perform medical assessments or provide medical advice for the child or elderly person.

If a home caregiver is working in Canada and has 12 months of full-time experience, do they need to obtain a job offer to apply for permanent residence from within Canada?

No, only caregivers with less than one year of experience need a job offer.

Can I change my employer as a home caregiver?

Yes, you can change your employer and seek a new job, but you need to have a positive LMIA and a signed contract from your new employer.

If we are living with the employer as home caregivers, do we have to pay rent?

Yes, and your employer is also required to provide suitable conditions for you and respect your requests and preferences, giving you the necessary freedom.

Can I live in the same house as my family members and my employer?

Some home caregivers may choose to live in their employer’s home to reduce personal expenses. Your permanent residence in the house of an elderly or disabled person depends on their circumstances, so it’s better to coordinate with them before moving in, or else rent a separate place.

Do live-in caregivers have rest hours?

Yes, their average working hours are 8 to 10 hours, which is spent on care and service tasks, and the remaining time can be dedicated to their own activities.

Do home caregivers have to work seven days a week?

8 hours a day is a long time for home nurses to work, and if your employer requires more care, mention this in your placement agreement.

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