In the ever-changing landscape of immigration policies, the year 2024 holds promises for aspirants eyeing Canada as their new home. we’ve got the inside scoop on two immigration programs set to welcome new applicants come January 2024. Buckle up; we’re about to explore the intricacies of the Home Support Caregiver Pilot, the Home Childcare Provider Pilot, and the Agri-Food Pilot.
Table of Contents
The Caregiver Pilots: Overview
What’s the Buzz All About?
The Home Support Caregiver Pilot and Home Childcare Provider Pilot are no strangers to the anticipation that precedes them each year. These coveted programs offer a limited number of spots for permanent residency, creating a rush among eligible applicants. In 2023, the total cap for both programs combined was set at 5,500 applications across various categories.
Changes in Eligibility Criteria
Notably, the eligibility requirement for in-Canada caregiver provider pilots has seen a reduction from 24 to 12 months of experience. This alteration opens doors for a broader spectrum of applicants, easing the journey for those stepping into the Canadian workforce.
The Pathways
Gaining Experience Category
This category beckons to those with no prior experience or less than 24 months of experience in NOC 44100 or NOC 44101 occupations. For in-Canada caregivers, a 12-month experience suffices.
Direct to Permanent Residency (PR) Category
Applicants with 24 months or more experience in the last 36 months in NOC 44100 or NOC 44101 can take this route. Similar to the first category, in-Canada caregivers need 12 months of experience.
Charting the Course to PR
To apply for PR, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- At least 24 months of full-time work experience in Canada in the last 36 months.
- Post-secondary education of at least 1 year.
- Any past experience or training demonstrating the candidate’s ability to perform the job described in the job offer.
For a work permit, applicants need:
- A valid full-time job offer (IMM 5983 E).
- CLB level 5 in English or French (IELTS = Reading 4 and rest of the modules 5).
- Post-secondary education of at least 1 year.
- Relevant past experience or training.
Occupations Under the Caregivers Program
Wondering if your profession makes the cut? Here are some eligible occupations:
- Home child care providers (NOC 44100)
- Home Support Worker Pilot (NOC 44101)
- And more! Click here for a comprehensive list
The Agri-Food Pilot: Sowing the Seeds of Residency
An Insight into Agri-Food Pilot
Another contender in the immigration arena is the Agri-Food Pilot, boasting attractiveness with its limited spots. This program, resetting its annual cap on January 1, 2024, processes a maximum of 2,750 permanent residency applications each year.
The Deadline
The Agri-Food Pilot gets an extension until May 14, 2025, with new changes implemented on May 18, 2023. Family members of acknowledged applicants get an additional perk—they’re eligible to apply for an open work permit.
Eligible Occupations
To be eligible, individuals need at least 1 year of cumulative, non-seasonal, full-time work in the past 3 years in occupations like:
- Butchers, retail, and wholesale (NOC 63201)
- Meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale (NOC 65202)
- Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers, and related workers (NOC 94141)
- Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors (NOC 82030)
- And more! Click here for a comprehensive list
Meeting the Requirements
The Agri-Food Pilot keeps things manageable with language proficiency requirements at CLB Level 4 in English and French. A high school diploma suffices in terms of education, according to education credential assessment (ECA). A union reference letter is also accepted if an employer falls short on the experience letter.
FAQs
When do the programs open for new applicants?
The Home Support Caregiver Pilot, Home Childcare Provider Pilot, and Agri-Food Pilot open their doors to new applicants in January 2024.
What’s the annual cap for the caregiver pilot programs?
The combined cap for both caregiver pilot programs is set at 5,500 applications in various categories.
What’s the change in eligibility for in-Canada caregiver pilots?
The eligibility requirement for in-Canada caregiver provider pilots has been reduced from 24 to 12 months of experience.
What’s the maximum number of permanent residency applications processed under the Agri-Food Pilot?
The Agri-Food Pilot processes a maximum of 2,750 permanent residency applications each year.
What’s the language proficiency requirement for the Agri-Food Pilot?
The Agri-Food Pilot has a low language proficiency requirement, set at CLB Level 4 in English and French.
