Get ready for a significant opportunity as Canada’s caregiver immigration programs are set to reopen on January 1st. Immigration officials are urging potential applicants to prepare in advance, particularly as the caps on the Home Child Care Provider Pilot (HCCP) tend to be quickly reached.
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the reset for the pilot program caps is scheduled for January 1, 2024, at 9 a.m. ET. Applications will be accepted until the caps are met or until the pilots’ conclusion on June 17, 2024.
In the previous year, the HCCP saw swift filling of its caps with 1,650 applications received, hitting the limit of 1,500 online applications on January 1st and 150 alternate format applications on February 1st.
The Home Support Worker Pilot (HSWP) reached its cap of 1,650 applications (online or alternate formats) on November 28th. Prospective applicants are encouraged to prepare extensively before the cap resets, including creating an account in the permanent residence portal if they haven’t already done so.
IRCC notes that accessing applications started before the cap reset won’t be possible for those with existing accounts, as online applications expire roughly 30 days after reaching the cap. Hence, creating a new application post-cap reset on January 1st is essential.
2024 brings significant changes as Ottawa slashes the work experience requirement for foreign nationals applying for permanent residence under these programs from two years to just one year. This adjustment aims to expedite the transition to permanent residence for more caregivers and their families, fostering settlement and new beginnings in Canada.
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser emphasized caregivers’ pivotal role in Canadian families, supporting children, ageing parents, and individuals requiring specialized care.
The IRCC anticipates a substantial enhancement in processing times due to these changes, benefiting up to 90% of applications in processing. This modification intends to support new caregivers and those already contributing to care in Canada.
Furthermore, Minister Fraser hinted at the potential transformation of the pilot caregiver programs into permanent programs starting in June 2024, opening doors for a more stable pathway for caregivers in Canada.
#gocanadavisas #CaregiverImmigration #CanadaImmigration #HCCP #HSWP #NewOpportunities #ImmigrationUpdate #PermanentResidence #CaregiversInCanada #SettleInCanada #PathToCanada
