The Canada Caregiver Program is meant for people who are live-in caregivers and are qualified to take care of children, the elderly or the disabled under no other supervision.

Eligibility Criteria:

• The employer must provide the Caregiver with a positive LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment).
• A bipartite contract letter signed by the Caregiver as well as the employer is a must.
• For Caregivers of children:
  • At least two years of Canadian work experience as a home childcare provider with a work permit.
  • Qualified at least one-year of a Canadian post-secondary credential or any other equivalent foreign credential.
  • Knowledge of either English or French.
• For caregivers of people with high medical needs:
  • Minimum of two years of 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 work permit.
  • Qualified at least one-year of a Canadian post-secondary credential or any other equivalent foreign credential.
  • Knowledge of either English or French.

Changes and reforms

Starting from November 30, 2014, several changes and reforms have been made in the Live-in Caregiver Program. These changes and reforms have been made by the Canadian government in an effort to provide faster processing, family reunification, better career opportunities and better protection against potential workplace vulnerability and abuse. CIC plans to facilitate 30,000 permanent resident caregivers and their families in 2015.

Part of the new reforms is the elimination of the live-in requirement for caregivers. Now, caregivers are not required to stay at the private homes they work for in order to qualify.