image-10-1024x341 Canada Caregiver Work: LMIA-Based Work Permit Guide

Work temporarily as a caregiver

You may be able to work as a home child care provider (NOC 44100) or home support worker (NOC 44101) for an employer who has a positive labour market impact assessment (LMIA) through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). This type of work permit application for caregivers in Canada currently gets faster processing.

The information below only applies to home child care providers and home support workers. If you want to work in another caregiver occupation, follow the normal process to work in Canada.

On this page

Apply for a new LMIA-based work permit

Who can apply

You can apply for a work permit for a job as a home child care provider or home support worker through the TFWP if 1 of these applies to you:

  1. You’re currently outside Canada and you’ll be working in Quebec.
  2. You’re currently in Canada and 1 of these applies to you:

Who can’t apply

You can’t apply for this type of work permit in these cases:

  1. You’re applying for a work permit from outside Canada through the TFWP and you plan to work in a province or territory other than Quebec.
  2. You’re applying for a work permit at a port of entry.
  3. You’re in Canada as a visitor.
    • You may be able to apply for a LMIA-based work permit from inside Canada as a home child care provider or home support worker if you plan to work in Quebec. You must still meet the eligibility criteria.
    • You may still be able to get a work permit as a visitor for another occupation. Find out if you’re eligible and how to apply.

How to apply

Your employer will need to get a positive LMIA first. Once they have a positive LMIA, you can apply for a work permit.

Extend your work permit or change jobs

If you’re currently working in Canada and have a valid work permit, you may be eligible to

  • extend your current work permit
  • change jobs or employers

Your employer will need to get a positive LMIA first. Once they have a positive LMIA, you can apply to extend or change the conditions on your work permit.

It’s important that you extend your work permit or change its conditions before it expires.

If you applied for a new work permit before your previous one expired

If you’re working for the same employer

Even if your work permit expires, you may be able to continue working in the same job while you wait for a decision on your work permit application. This is called maintained status. You may have maintained status if you applied for an extension while your work permit was still valid.

Learn more about maintained status.

If you applied to the gaining experience category of the Home Child Care Provider or Home Support Worker pilots

You may already have maintained status. However, you may consider submitting a separate application for a work permit extension. Find out what it means to be on maintained status while you wait for a decision on your Home Child Care Provider or Home Support Worker pilot application.

If you’re changing jobs or employers

You may not need to wait until your work permit application is approved to start your new job or work for a new employer. You can request authorization to change jobs while we process your application.

If you didn’t extend your work permit before it expired

If your work permit has expired and you lost your temporary resident status, you may be able to restore your status as a worker.

Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot

Closed

We’re no longer accepting new applications

The Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot ended on June 17, 2024. We’ll continue to process applications we received on or before this date.

See how we’re committed to making sure caregivers continue to have a pathway to permanent residence.

The Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot are 5-year pilot programs that let qualified caregivers and their family members come to Canada with the goal of becoming permanent residents.

If you’ve been offered a job in Canada as a caregiver or have experience working in Canada as a caregiver, you may be able to apply for permanent residence through one of these pilots.

The application process will be different depending on your situation and how much qualifying work experience you have.

Qualifying work experience

Qualifying work experience means you’ve worked full-time in Canada in 1 of these National Occupational Classification (NOC) jobs:

Home child care provider (NOC 44100)

  • You must care for children in your own home or in your employer’s private home.
    • The location can’t be an institutional setting such as a daycare.
  • You don’t need to live in your employer’s home to qualify.
  • Experience as a foster parent doesn’t count.

Home support worker (NOC 44101)

  • You must care for someone who needs help from a home support worker in your employer’s private home.
    • The location can’t be an institutional setting such as a nursing home.
  • You don’t need to live in your employer’s home to qualify.

If you applied before November 2022

On November 16, 2022, we switched to the 2021 version of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).

If you submitted an application before November 16, 2022, your job offer or qualifying work experience will still be assessed as per the NOC 2016 requirements.

  • Home child care provider – NOC 4411 was replaced with NOC 44100
  • Home support worker – NOC 4412 was replaced with NOC 44101

Tell us how much experience you have

New changes to the pilots

Updated June 24, 2024

These changes are now in effect and apply to all applications being processed:

  • You only need 6 months of work experience, instead of 12, to qualify.
  • For the Gaining experience category, we’ll accept eligible work experience
    • from inside or outside Canada
    • gained anytime between the 36-month period before you submitted your permanent residence application and the date you provide proof of work experience

If you already applied to the Gaining experience category and now have enough eligible work experience, you can send us proof.

Less than 12 months in Canada

If you’ve never worked full-time as a caregiver in Canada or have less than 12 months of work experience, you can apply to the Gaining experience category.

12 months or more in Canada

If you’ve worked full-time as a caregiver in Canada for 12 months or more in the last 36 months, you can apply to the Direct to permanent residence category.

Become a permanent resident – Live-in Caregivers

You need to give your biometrics

In most cases, you now need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) after you apply.

Find out who needs to give biometrics and how the new application process works.

The Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP) is closed to new applicants. You can only apply for permanent residence through the LCP if you have at least 2 years of work experience in the program and:

  • you’re already working in Canada with an LCP work permit, or
  • you were approved for your first LCP work permit based on a Labour Market Impact Assessment submitted to Employment and Social Development Canada on or before November 30, 2014

Otherwise, you may still qualify for permanent residence through a different caregiver option.

You can apply to become a permanent resident of Canada through the Live-in Caregiver Program if you meet the requirements. Find out about:

Requirements to become a permanent resident

You may be eligible to apply for permanent residence in Canada after you have had the following work experience under the Live-in Caregiver Program:

  • 24 months of authorized full-time live-in employment, or
  • 3,900 hours of authorized full-time employment. You can complete these hours within a minimum of 22 months. When calculating your hours, you can also include up to 390 hours of overtime; and
  • The work experience must be acquired within four years of your date of arrival.

Your work experience under the Live-in Caregiver Program may also allow you to apply for permanent residence through the Caring for Children or Caring for People with High Medical Needs pathway.

When calculating your work experience, you cannot include:

  • Any period of unemployment
  • Any extended time outside Canada. For example, if you leave Canada for longer than the period of vacation time allotted in your employment contract, that period does not count.
  • Any period you work for your employer outside Canada. For example, time spent on a family vacation outside of Canada will not count.
  • Any period you work in Canada as a caregiver while living outside the home of your employer. If you have work experience as a live-out caregiver that you would like to include in your application, you must apply for permanent residence through the Caring for Children or Caring for People with High Medical Needs pathway.

What can affect your application

Your application is affected if:

  • you, your spouse or common-law partner, or any of your family members have a criminal record or a serious medical problem or pose a security risk.
  • you didn’t provide truthful information to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

What cannot affect your application

Your application is not affected by upgrading your skills in Canada, volunteer work, marital status or the number of family members you have in your home country.

Applying for your family at the same time

You must list all your family members in your application for permanent resident status. Your family members can have medical, criminal and security screening at the time of your application even if they don’t want to come to Canada with you. Family members who aren’t listed on your application and were not screened cannot be sponsored by you at a later date.

You and your listed family members can get permanent resident status at the same time or you can sponsor your family members at a later date as long as they meet the requirements.

You and all your family members must pass medical, criminal and security screening before you can receive permanent resident status.

Applying for an open work permit at the same time

You can apply for an open work permit at the same time that you apply for permanent resident status. After you receive your open work permit you can take any job you want.

Permanent residence in Quebec

If you have a Live-in Caregiver Program work permit and are working in Quebec, the province will also assess your application. The province will look for additional information, including your knowledge of French. For more information on permanent residence in Quebec, visit the website of the ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion (Quebec Immigration).

Leaving Canada (permanently or for vacation)

If your permanent residence application is in process and you leave Canada for any reason, you may need to reapply for a temporary resident visa before returning to Canada. Before traveling, you should apply for a new temporary resident visa from within Canada.

If you leave Canada for more than one year or if your work permit has expired, you will have to reapply to the overseas visa office or Visa Application Centre to return to Canada.

You can leave the program and return permanently to your home country at any time. However, you should give adequate notice to your employer.

Features

Application form

Apply to become a permanent resident (live-in caregivers)

Caring for children program

The Caring for Children Program ended on June 18, 2019. If you submitted a complete application before June 18, we’ll continue to process it.

We’re committed to making sure caregivers continue to have a pathway to permanent residence. If you’re a caregiver who has been caring for children in Canada, you may be eligible for the Home Child Care Provider Pilot.

Biometrics

If you have to give biometrics, we send you a biometric instruction letter (BIL) which will direct you to a list of biometric collection service points you may choose from.

You must bring the BIL with you to the biometric collection service point to give your biometrics.

Processing your application

An immigration officer will make sure that you:

  • filled out your application forms correctly and signed them
  • paid your fees
  • submitted your biometrics (if required)
  • meet the language requirements
  • provided proof of qualifying work experience
  • meet the education requirements, and
  • included all other required documents and information specified in the application package

If you’re currently working in Canada

If your existing work permit is about to expire, you may be eligible for a bridging open work permit. If you’re eligible, this permit can let you keep working while you wait for a final decision on your permanent residence application.

If your application isn’t complete, it won’t be processed and will be sent back to you.

Your application will be delayed if:

  • there are criminal or security problems or we need to do more background checks
  • your family situation is not clear – reasons could include a divorce or an adoption that is not yet complete or child custody issues that have not been resolved, or
  • the processing office has to contact other IRCC offices in Canada or abroad to verify the data you gave

You can check the status of your application online after we’ve started processing your application.

While your application is in process, you must tell us if you change your address or contact information.

Processing time ?

 6 Months

Processing time is the average for how long it takes from when an application is received to when we make a decision. Learn more about processing times.

Decision on your application

We’ll make a decision on your application based on:

  • whether you meet the eligibility criteria
  • if you submitted a complete application, and
  • if you are admissible to Canada

We’ll contact you if you need to send more documents.

Confirmation of permanent residence

If we approve your application, we’ll ask you to send your passport to the processing office so we can issue your permanent resident visa. This visa includes your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and an entry visa, if you’re from a country whose nationals require a visa to enter Canada.

Your COPR will have information about who you are as well as your photograph. Check to make sure it’s correct. It should be the same as the information on your passport. If there’s a mistake on your COPR, contact us.

If you’re already in Canada

When we approve your application for permanent residence, we’ll contact you and let you know what to do next. You’ll have to do a short interview with an immigration officer. You have 2 options for your interview:

  • make an appointment at one of our offices in Canada
    • this is the best option because you won’t have to leave and re-enter Canada
  • go to a Canadian “port of entry” (border crossing), and present:
    • proof that you have the funds to support yourself and your family
    • your COPR and your permanent resident visa (if we gave you one)

During the interview, the officer will:

  • make sure all your documents are valid
  • ask you a few questions to make sure you still meet the terms to immigrate to Canada
  • confirm your Canadian mailing address, so we can mail your permanent resident card (PR card)

If you change your address or contact information within 180 days of completing your interview, you must tell us.

If you’re outside Canada

When you arrive in Canada, you’ll be greeted by an officer from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

When you arrive, you must have:

  • a valid passport and/or travel documents
    • Your passport must be a regular, private passport. You can’t immigrate to Canada with a diplomatic, government service or public affairs passport.
  • a valid permanent resident visa and your COPR
    • The officer will make sure you’re entering Canada before or on the expiry date shown on your visa (this document cannot be extended)

The BSO will:

  • make sure all your documents are valid
  • see if you’re able to financially support yourself and your family members in Canada
  • ask you a few questions to make sure you still meet the eligibility requirements to immigrate to Canada
  • confirm your Canadian mailing address, so we can mail your permanent resident card (PR card)

You won’t be allowed into Canada:

  • if you give false or incomplete information or
  • if you don’t convince the officer that you meet the conditions to enter Canada

If you meet the requirements, the officer will allow you to enter Canada as a permanent resident. They will also confirm your Canadian mailing address and have your permanent resident card mailed to you there.

If you change your address or contact information within 180 days of arriving in Canada, you must tell us.

Caring for People with High Medical Needs Program

The Caring for People with High Medical Needs Program ended on June 18, 2019. If you submitted a complete application before June 18, we’ll continue to process it.

We’re committed to making sure caregivers continue to have a pathway to permanent residence. If you’re a caregiver who has been working in Canada as a home support worker, you may be eligible for the Home Support Worker Pilot.

Biometrics

If you have to give biometrics, we’ll send you a biometric instruction letter (BIL) which will direct you to a list of biometric collection service points you may choose from.

You must bring the BIL with you to the biometric collection service point to give your biometrics.

Processing your application

An immigration officer will make sure that you:

  • filled out your application forms correctly and signed them
  • paid your fees
  • submitted your biometrics (if required)
  • meet the language requirements
  • provided proof of qualifying work experience
  • meet the education requirements, and
  • included all other required documents and information specified in the application package

If you’re currently working in Canada

If your existing work permit is about to expire, you may be eligible for a bridging open work permit. If you’re eligible, this permit can let you keep working while you wait for a final decision on your permanent residence application.

If your application isn’t complete, it won’t be processed and will be sent back to you.

Your application will be delayed if:

  • there are criminal or security problems or we need to do more background checks
  • your family situation is not clear – reasons could include a divorce or an adoption that is not yet complete or child custody issues that have not been resolved, or
  • the processing office has to contact other IRCC offices in Canada or abroad to verify the data you gave

You can check the status of your application online after we’ve started processing your application.

While your application is in process, you must tell us if you change your address or contact information.

Processing time ?

 6 Months

Processing time is the average for how long it takes from when an application is received to when we make a decision. Learn more about processing times.

Decision on your application

We’ll make a decision on your application based on:

  • whether you meet the eligibility criteria
  • if you submitted a complete application, and
  • if you are admissible to Canada

We’ll contact you if you need to send more documents.

Confirmation of permanent residence

If we approve your application, we’ll ask you to send your passport to the processing office so we can issue your permanent resident visa. This visa includes your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and an entry visa, if you’re from a country whose nationals require a visa to enter Canada.

Your COPR will have information about who you are as well as your photograph. Check to make sure it’s correct. It should be the same as the information on your passport. If there’s a mistake on your COPR, contact us.

If you’re already in Canada

When we approve your application for permanent residence, we’ll contact you and let you know what to do next. You’ll have to do a short interview with an immigration officer. You have 2 options for your interview:

  • make an appointment at one of our offices in Canada
    • this is the best option because you won’t have to leave and re-enter Canada
  • go to a Canadian “port of entry” (border crossing), and present:
    • proof that you have the funds to support yourself and your family
    • your COPR and your permanent resident visa (if we gave you one)

During the interview, the officer will:

  • make sure all your documents are valid
  • ask you a few questions to make sure you still meet the terms to immigrate to Canada
  • confirm your Canadian mailing address, so we can mail your permanent resident card (PR card)

If you change your address or contact information within 180 days of completing your interview, you must tell us.

If you’re outside Canada

When you arrive in Canada, you’ll be greeted by an officer from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

When you arrive, you must have:

  • a valid passport and/or travel documents
    • Your passport must be a regular, private passport. You can’t immigrate to Canada with a diplomatic, government service or public affairs passport.
  • a valid permanent resident visa and your COPR
    • The officer will make sure you’re entering Canada before or on the expiry date shown on your visa (this document cannot be extended)

The BSO will:

  • make sure all your documents are valid
  • see if you’re able to financially support yourself and your family members in Canada
  • ask you a few questions to make sure you still meet the eligibility requirements to immigrate to Canada
  • confirm your Canadian mailing address, so we can mail your permanent resident card (PR card)

You won’t be allowed into Canada:

  • if you give false or incomplete information or
  • if you don’t convince the officer that you meet the conditions to enter Canada

If you meet the requirements, the officer will allow you to enter Canada as a permanent resident. They will also confirm your Canadian mailing address and have your permanent resident card mailed to you there.

If you change your address or contact information within 180 days of arriving in Canada, you must tell us.

Interim Pathway for Caregivers: About the process

The Interim Pathway for Caregivers ended on October 8, 2019. If you submitted an application before or on October 8, we’ll continue to process it.

If you need to send us your language test results or educational credential assessment, follow the instructions in the guide.

The Interim Pathway for Caregivers is a limited time pathway to permanent residence for qualifying in-home caregivers and their families. If you have work experience in Canada as a home child care provider or home support worker, you may be able to apply for permanent residence.