Caregiver Stream
The LMIA Caregiver Stream in Canada is a program that allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers to provide in-home care for children, seniors, or people with medical needs. The program has two streams: the Caring for Children Stream and the Caring for People with High Medical Needs Stream.
Under this program, Canadian employers must apply for a positive LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to hire a foreign caregiver. The caregiver must meet certain eligibility criteria, such as having a minimum of six months of training or one year of full-time paid work experience as a caregiver and being proficient in English or French.
The program also requires the employer to provide the foreign caregiver with a detailed job description, a contract outlining the terms and conditions of employment, and offer wages and benefits that meet the prevailing wage rates for the particular occupation and location, and that are comparable to what Canadian workers in similar positions would receive.
Once the caregiver obtains a work permit, they can come to Canada and work for the employer for a specified period of time. If the caregiver meets certain requirements, such as gaining enough work experience and improving their language skills, they may be eligible to apply for permanent residence through the program.
The first step is for the Canadian employer to offer a job to a foreign caregiver, providing a detailed job description and outlining the terms and conditions of employment.
The Canadian employer must then apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The employer must demonstrate that they have made reasonable efforts to hire Canadian citizens or permanent residents for the position, but have been unsuccessful and that the employment of the foreign caregiver will not negatively impact the Canadian labor market.
Once the LMIA is approved, the foreign caregiver can apply for a work permit from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The caregiver must provide supporting documentation, such as a valid job offer letter and proof of qualifications.
If the caregiver meets certain eligibility criteria, such as gaining enough work experience and improving their language skills, they may be eligible to apply for permanent residence through the program.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To be eligible for the LMIA Caregiver Stream in Canada, the caregiver must meet the following criteria:
- The caregiver must have at least one year of full-time work experience (or equivalent part-time experience) in Canada as a home childcare provider or a home support worker.
- The caregiver must have completed the equivalent of a Canadian secondary school education.
- The caregiver must demonstrate proficiency in English or French, which can be done by taking a language test from a designated testing organization.
- The caregiver must have a valid work permit or be eligible to apply for a work permit.
- The caregiver must undergo a medical exam and be deemed in good health.
- The caregiver must provide a police certificate from all countries where they have lived for more than six months in the past 10 years, and must not have a criminal record that would make them inadmissible to Canada.
DOCUMENT REQUIREMENT
- Proof of work experience
- Proof of education
- Language test results
- Work permit
- Medical exam results
- Police certificate