Caregiver

Canadian families can hire a foreign caregiver to provide care in a private residence to children, seniors or persons with certified medical needs, when Canadians and permanent residents are not available. Under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), families can hire foreign caregivers. However, the caregivers must:

  • Provide care on a full-time basis (minimum 30 hours per week).
  • Work in the private household where the care is being provided.
  • Meet the requirements set by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)/Service Canada and Element Immigration, Refugees and and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

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These families or private household employers will be able to hire foreign workers, on a live-in or live out basis, for 2 categories of in-home workers, which include:

Caregivers for children

  • Children under 18 years of age.
  • This category could include positions such as Child care provider, live-in caregiver, nanny (NOC 4411).

Caregivers for people with high medical needs

  • elderly persons, 65 years of age or over
  • people with disabilities, a chronic or terminal illness
  • This category could include positions such as Registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse (NOC 3012), Licensed practical nurse (NOC 3233), Attendant for persons with disabilities, home support worker, live-in caregiver, personal care attendant (NOC 4412)

Pathways to Permanent Residence for Caregivers

Caring for Children Pathway

In order to qualify for Canadian Permanent Element Immigration under the Caregiver program the applicant must

  • Have a minimum of 2 years (within the past 4 years) of full-time (at least 30 hours per week) work experience in Canada as a home childcare provider, on a valid work permit.
  • Meet the description of a home childcare provider as defined by the National Occupation Classification (NOC) 4411.
  • Have completed a one-year Canadian post-secondary credential or equivalent foreign credential.
  • Pass a minimum threshold of language ability for one of Canada’s two official languages, either English or French. The minimum language ability is Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5.

Caring for People with High Medical needs Pathway

In order to qualify for Canadian Permanent Element Immigration under the Caregiver program the applicant must

  • Have a minimum of 2 years (within the past 4 years) of full-time (at least 30 hours per week) work experience in Canada as a registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse, licensed practical nurse, nurse aide, orderly, patient service associate, home support worker, or other similar occupation, with a valid work permit.
  • Have accumulated 3,900 hours as a Caregiver within 22 months (maximum overtime 390 hrs allowed).
  • Demonstrate a license to practice in Canada (if applicable).
  • Have completed a one-year Canadian post-secondary credential, or equivalent foreign credential.
  • Pass a minimum threshold of language ability for one of Canada’s two official languages, either English or French.
    • Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses must demonstrate CLB 7.
    • Other qualified occupations must demonstrate CLB 5.

How Element Immigration can help?

  • We can apply for approval of Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
  • We can help temporary foreign workers to apply for Canadian Work Permit which authorizes them to legally work in Canada.

Contact us for assessment and more information