Moratorium on caregiver work permits

Summary#

The Department of Citizenship and Immigration issued New Ministerial Instructions regarding the processing of certain work permit applications under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Starting April 22, 2022, some new applications for caregiver-type work permits (NOC 4411 and 4412, with specific exclusions) for jobs outside Quebec will not be processed; the measure expires on June 17, 2024.

What it does#

• Tells immigration officers not to process certain work-permit applications if they match the rules below.
• Two main groups of applications are paused:
  • At the border (on entry): any person applying for a work permit on arrival who intends to work in occupations listed as NOC 4411 (excluding foster parents) or NOC 4412 (excluding housekeepers).
  • Before or after entry: a person applying for a new work permit (who does not already hold a valid study or work permit) who intends to work in NOC 4411 or 4412, whose job is located outside Quebec, and whose employer’s Labour Market Impact Assessment request to Employment and Social Development Canada was made on or after June 18, 2019.
• Replaces earlier instructions from June 14, 2019 and takes effect April 22, 2022.
• If an application is not processed under these instructions, the applicant will be told the application is refused for processing and the work-permit processing fee is returned.
• The instructions automatically expire on June 17, 2024.

Who's affected#

• People applying for caregiver-style work permits under NOC 4411 and 4412 (except foster parents and housekeepers) for jobs outside Quebec.
• Employers hoping to hire caregivers from abroad for work outside Quebec.
• Border officers and visa-processing staff who must apply these instructions.
• It is unclear from the notice whether any other groups (for example, applicants already in Canada with valid permits) are directly affected.

Why it matters#

• This is a temporary pause on new caregiver intakes outside Quebec. It aims to limit arrivals where there is not a clear route to permanent residence.
• For caregivers and families looking to hire them, it may delay or stop new hires from outside Canada until at least June 17, 2024.
• Applicants whose files are refused for processing will get their processing fee back, but will need to wait or look for other immigration options.