Canada to Reduce Work Experience Requirements for Permanent Residency

Caregivers from around the world have played a crucial role in supporting families in Canada for many years. The Canadian government has recognized their hard work and sacrifices and offers them pathways to permanent residency as a reward.

Reduced Work Experience Requirement for Permanent Residency

The Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, Sean Fraser, along with members of Parliament Salma Zahid and Rechie Valdez, announced today that the amount of work experience required for a carer to become eligible for permanent residency has been reduced from 24 months to 12 months.

This change will take effect on April 30, 2023, and will apply to carers who have already applied for permanent residency.

The change will not only speed up the process of obtaining permanent residency and settling in Canada, but it will also improve processing and application procedures.

This update is expected to benefit approximately 90% of applications currently in processing. This includes both new carers and those who have been working in Canada for some time.

Also Read: Canada Launches Application Tracker for Express Entry and PNP Candidates

Future of Caregiver Programming

As the existing carer programmes come to an end, the government is working to make any necessary changes to show appreciation for the carers who help relieve the stress of Canadian families in need. Efforts are being made to plan for the future of carer programming after the pilot programmes are completed in June 2024.

Quick Facts

• The change in the work experience requirement will be effective as of April 30, 2023, and will be retrospective for caregivers who have already applied.
• This change will apply to applicants from both the Home Child Care Provider (HCCP) pilot and the Home Support Worker (HSW) pilot, including those who have already applied and prospective applicants.
• Since the launch of the pilot programs in 2019, nearly 1,600 caregivers and their family members have become permanent residents in Canada. In 2022, almost 1,100 caregivers and their family members became permanent residents through the two pilot programs.
• Immigration is the main driver of Canada’s labour force growth, accounting for nearly 75% of the country’s population growth, mostly in the economic category. By 2036, immigrants are projected to represent up to 30% of Canada’s population, compared to 20.7% in 2011.
• 50 years ago, there were seven workers for every retiree in Canada. Today, that number is closer to three and is expected to drop to two workers for every retiree in the next 10 to 15 years if the current trend continues.

Bottomline

Canada has taken a step forward in recognising the critical role that carers play in supporting families by making it easier for them to obtain permanent residency.

A large number of carers and their families are expected to benefit from the reduced work experience requirement and improved processing procedures. The government is also working to secure the country’s carer programming’s future.