🚨 FEDERAL PILOT PROGRAMS CLOSED: Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilots closed on June 17, 2024. Applications are now processed via TFWP (LMIA) or PNP.
Canada Home Care Workers & Caregivers (TFWP)
The federal pilot programs are closed. New caregivers now apply through the LMIA-backed Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) or a PNP.
Work Permit fees vary; LMIA processing fees apply per application.
Varies by LMIA approval and work permit stream.
Federal caregiver pilot programs (Home Child Care Provider/Support Worker) are CLOSED as of June 2024. New caregivers must now enter through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) with a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Official Information
Fee
Work Permit fees vary; LMIA processing fees apply per application.
Processing time
Varies by LMIA approval and work permit stream.
Status
Pilot Programs Closed; TFWP (LMIA) Open
Home Care Workers & Caregivers (TFWP) - Official Guide (PDF)
This guide is stored on Vercel Blob and mirrors the official Canada.ca process snapshot used by the app.
Work Permit (LMIA-based)
Who can apply
- Outside Canada: Only if working in Quebec.
- Inside Canada: If you have a valid study/work permit OR are allowed to work without a permit.
- Quebec-bound workers may apply from inside Canada if eligible.
Who cannot apply
- Applying from outside Canada (excluding Quebec).
- Applying at a port of entry.
- Currently in Canada as a visitor (with limited exceptions).
Employer LMIA Process
Step 1 — Recruitment advertising
Employer must advertise the position for 4 weeks (high-wage) or 8 weeks (low-wage) to prove no Canadians are available.
Step 2 — Application method
Must use 'LMIA Online' with a Job Bank for Employers account.
Quebec-specific
Must file simultaneously with MIFI (CAQ) and Service Canada (LMIA) for periods over 30 days.
Provincial Registration Notes
British Columbia
Home support workers may also be considered under the BC PNP Skilled Worker stream once a valid job offer and LMIA (or LMIA-exempt work permit) are in place.
Manitoba
Manitoba's Skilled Worker in Manitoba stream can register caregivers with an existing work permit and qualifying job offer for provincial nomination.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan's International Skilled Worker - Employment Offer sub-category accepts caregiver job offers supported by a positive LMIA.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream can register CLB 5+ caregivers with NOC eligibility and a recent LMIA-supported job offer.
Quebec (MIFI / CAQ)
Quebec-bound caregivers must file a Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ) application with the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI) at the same time as the federal work permit application, for any work period over 30 days.
Proof of Experience (For Previous Pilot Applicants)
Only for those who already submitted applications to the now-closed pilots.
Required documentation
- Schedule 19b: Home Child Care Provider or Home Support Worker – Work Experience form [IMM 5910].
- T4 tax slips and Notice of Assessment (NOA) (Must mask SIN).
- Detailed Reference Letters: Start/end dates, NOC code, duties, salary/hours, employer contact/signature/letterhead.
- Proof of payment: Bank deposits, pay stubs, work contracts, ROEs.
Web Form submission protocol
Must be sent via Web Form. Naming convention: 'Proof of experience - #'. Max size 2MB per file (3.5MB total). Use E-number (not W-number) for PR applications.