Minister Mendicino Unveils Strategy to Speed Up Caregiver Application Processing
From: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
News Update
International caregivers are vital to Canadian families needing assistance for family members. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted life globally, including the application processing at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Many caregivers in Canada are eager to reunite with their families, pending the processing of their applications.
Plan to Expedite Caregiver Applications
Prioritizing Thousands of Applications in 2021
April 15, 2021—Ottawa—Caregivers from abroad are crucial in helping Canadian households find necessary care for family members. The pandemic has severely impacted application processing, prompting IRCC to announce a new plan for 2021 aimed at overcoming these challenges.
IRCC’s plan includes:
- Completing permanent residence applications for up to 6,000 caregivers and their families by December 31, 2021.
- Making at least 1,500 initial decisions on Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilot applications by June 30, 2021, enabling more caregiver work permits for valid job offers.
- Enhancing the digital processing of caregiver applications.
- Ensuring applicants receive acknowledgment letters by May 31, 2021.
Due to the pandemic’s challenges, especially for paper applications, IRCC is adopting a new public policy to process 2021 applications that were received in 2020.
The Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilots launched in 2019 provide a clear path from temporary to permanent status and offer occupation-specific work permits. These features are attractive to caregivers and the families needing in-home care.
Minister’s Statement
“The pandemic disrupted lives globally, affecting Canada’s immigration processes. Caregivers caring for our families are often separated from theirs, with the pandemic delaying their permanent residence applications. Today’s announcement aims to get caregiver immigration back on track, reuniting these front-line heroes with their families.” – The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Key Information
- The new policy begins on May 3, 2021. 2020 applicants under caregiver pilots need not reapply.
- As of March 3, 2021, about 12,000 caregiver applications and their families are in processing, including ongoing cases from past programs.
- By April 8, 2021, the Home Child Care Provider Pilot received 2,367 applications (86% of 2021’s cap), while the Home Support Worker Pilot had 516 applications (19% of its cap).
- In 2020, nearly 2,900 caregivers and family members achieved permanent residency.
- Caregivers already in Canada might apply for permanent residence through the newly announced pathway for essential workers.
Related Resources
Media Contacts
Contacts for media only
Alex Cohen
Minister’s Office
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-954-1064
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-952-1650
IRCC.COMMMediaRelations-RelationsmediasCOMM.IRCC@cic.gc.ca
FAQ
What is the new policy for caregiver applications?
The policy allows processing of 2021 applications received in 2020, starting May 3, 2021.
How many caregiver applications will be prioritized in 2021?
IRCC aims to finalize applications for up to 6,000 caregivers and families by the year’s end.
What are the Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilots?
These pilots offer a transition from temporary to permanent status and occupation-specific work permits.
How has COVID-19 impacted caregiver applications?
The pandemic slowed down processing, especially for paper-based applications, due to reduced office capacity.
How can caregivers in Canada apply for permanent residence?
They may use the new pathway for essential workers to apply for permanent residence.
