Program delivery update: Work permits for Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
July 4, 2023
The ministerial instructions (MIs) regarding the permanent residence pilots for caregivers (the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot) have been revised. The amended MIs were issued on April 30, 2023. The amendments that have an impact on the work permit application
- reduce the work experience requirement from 24 to 12 months
- broaden the language for acceptable work experience accumulation to include work without a permit, authorized under R186(u) authority (maintain status during processing) and the interim work authorization introduced by public policies
This change will apply to all new and pending work permit applications in the inventory.
As a result, the instructions relating to caregivers were updated.
New instructions were added regarding the working-age of dependent children.
In addition, a new measure came into effect on January 30, 2023, regarding the issuance of open work permits for family members. Previously, if the principal foreign national received a bridging open work permit under the 2019 caregiver pilots, their family members were also eligible to apply for an open work permit (administrative code C91), but only if they were in Canada. As of January 30, 2023, family members can apply for an open work permit (administrative code C49) regardless of location.
The instructions on open work permits under the Home Child Care Provider Pilot or Home Support Worker Pilot – Work experience completed (R205(a) – A75) were moved to the Bridging open work permits for certain economic class permanent residence applicants (R205(a) – A75).
Updated instructions
- Work permits for caregiver pathways – Temporary Foreign Worker Program and International Mobility Program
- Occupation-restricted open work permits under the Home Child Care Provider Pilot or Home Support Worker Pilot – Gaining experience category [R205(a) – C90]
- Bridging open work permits for certain economic class permanent residence applicants [R205(a) - A75]
Deleted instructions
- Open work permits under the Home Child Care Provider Pilot or Home Support Worker Pilot – Work experience completed [R205(a) – A75] – International Mobility Program