Caregiver intake limits for permanent residence

Summary#

The federal government changed the ministerial instructions that set how many permanent-residence applications can be accepted each year for the caregiver streams. The old yearly cap of 2,750 applications per stream is replaced by separate limits based on the caregiver class, the applicant’s in-Canada work experience, and the way the application is submitted. These changes take effect on January 1, 2023.

What it does#

• Repeals the previous rule that capped acceptance at 2,750 applications per year for each of the caregiver streams.
• Splits the annual intake limits by class, by whether the applicant has at least 24 months of full‑time eligible Canadian work experience, and by application method:
  • For the Home Child Care Provider Class:
    • Online applications from those with less than 24 months of experience stop being accepted once 1,500 have been received.
    • Alternate-format applications from those with less than 24 months of experience stop being accepted once 150 have been received.
    • Online applications from those with at least 24 months of experience stop being accepted once 1,000 have been received.
    • Alternate-format applications from those with at least 24 months of experience stop being accepted once 100 have been received.
  • For the Home Support Worker Class:
    • Applications from those with less than 24 months of experience stop being accepted once 1,650 have been received.
    • Applications from those with at least 24 months of experience stop being accepted once 1,100 have been received.
• Clarifies counting and processing:
  • Applications received are counted toward these limits even if they do not meet the requirements in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
  • However, only applications that meet the Regulations’ requirements (and are complete according to the application kit in effect when received) will be entered into processing.
  • Applications that fail to meet the Regulations’ section on admissibility (section 11) will not count toward the intake numbers.
• Confirms that the rest of the earlier instructions (published May 15, 2021) remain in force.

Who's affected#

• People applying for permanent residence under the Home Child Care Provider Class and the Home Support Worker Class.
• Applicants with different amounts of Canadian work experience (those with less than 24 months versus at least 24 months).
• Applicants who file online versus those who use alternate submission formats.
• Immigration consultants, employers and settlement advisors who help caregivers plan applications.
• If unclear: the notice does not say how long it will take for intake limits to be reached each year, so it’s not clear exactly when the intake will close in practice.

Why it matters#

• The changes change who gets priority and how fast each intake could close. Fewer slots for some groups can make the programs harder to enter.
• Applicants with more Canadian work experience and those filing online face different numerical limits than others. That can affect when you should apply.
• Because applications are counted as received even if incomplete, applicants should be careful to submit complete files quickly to have a chance at being processed.
• Employers and support services may see shifts in the pool of available caregiver candidates and should adjust recruiting and advising accordingly.