Special Immigration

Canada offers pathways to work and gain permanent residence for skilled foreign workers, targeting sectors with labor shortages. The Caregiver Program enables foreign caregivers to work temporarily in Canada through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, with faster processing for LMIA-supported job offers. The Atlantic Immigration Program supports skilled workers and graduates aiming to work in Canada’s Atlantic provinces by enabling employers to fill roles locally. The Agri-Food Pilot provides permanent residence to experienced, non-seasonal agri-food workers, especially in meat processing and crop production, with recent updates offering greater flexibility for applicants. Together, these programs strengthen Canada’s healthcare, agriculture, and regional workforces.

Work Temporarily as a Caregiver in Canada

If you’re interested in working as a caregiver in Canada, you may qualify to work temporarily as a Home Child Care Provider (NOC 44100) or Home Support Worker (NOC 44101) through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Employers with a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) can hire foreign caregivers, and this type of work permit application is currently eligible for faster processing.

This information specifically applies to home child care providers and home support workers. For other caregiver roles, please follow the standard work permit application process.

Steps for Applying

Applying for an LMIA-Based Work Permit
You can apply for a caregiver work permit through the TFWP if:
- You are outside Canada and planning to work in Quebec.
- You’re currently in Canada and meet one of the following:
  - Have a valid study or work permit.
  - Are eligible to work without a work permit (not including business visitors).
  - Are eligible to apply from within Canada and intend to work in Quebec.
Who Is Not Eligible
You cannot apply for this type of work permit if:
- You are applying from outside Canada to work in a province other than Quebec.
- You are applying at a port of entry.
- You are in Canada as a visitor.
If you are in Canada as a visitor, you may qualify for a different type of work permit for another occupation.
How to Apply
- Your employer must first obtain a positive LMIA.
- Once the LMIA is approved, you can submit a work permit application.

Extending Your Work Permit or Changing Jobs

If you are already working in Canada and have a valid work permit, you may be able to:

Extend your existing work permit.
Change employers or job roles, provided your employer secures a positive LMIA.

It’s essential to apply for an extension or change in work permit conditions before your current one expires.

If You Applied Before Your Permit Expired
- You may continue working for the same employer or in the Home Child Care Provider/Home Support Worker pilot gaining experience category.
If Your Permit Expired Without Renewal
- If your work permit expired and you lost temporary resident status, you might be eligible to restore your status as a worker.

Atlantic Immigration Program: A Pathway to Permanent Residence in Atlantic Canada

The Atlantic Immigration Program offers a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and international graduates from Canadian institutions who wish to work and settle in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador.

This program enables employers in these provinces to address labor shortages by hiring skilled workers and recent graduates when local candidates are unavailable.

For International Graduates and Skilled Workers

To join the Atlantic Immigration Program, you need a job offer from an employer designated under the program in one of the Atlantic provinces.

Eligibility Requirements
You must be either:

A recent graduate from an accredited post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada, or
A skilled worker.

You may apply whether you are abroad or already in Canada as a temporary resident.

Applying to Work While Waiting for Permanent Residence
To be eligible to work in Canada while your application is being processed, you’ll need:

A valid job offer from a designated Atlantic employer that meets program requirements.
A referral letter from the Atlantic province where your job is located.

For Employers in Atlantic Canada

Steps to Designation
To hire through the Atlantic Immigration Program, employers must first obtain designation from the provincial government where the job is based. Each Atlantic province has its own designation process, and no fees are involved.

Find details on the provincial websites for:

New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Nova Scotia
Prince Edward Island

Hiring Qualified International Candidates
Once designated, you can recruit qualified international candidates to fill positions that haven’t been filled locally. These candidates may already be residing in Canada as temporary residents or could be living abroad.

Agri-Food Pilot: A Pathway to Permanent Residence in Canada’s Agri-Food Sector

The Agri-Food Pilot is designed to address the labor needs within Canada’s agri-food sector, offering a pathway to permanent residence for skilled, non-seasonal workers in specified industries and occupations.

Recent Program Updates

As of February 10, 2024, the following changes have been introduced:

Applicants residing in Canada at the time of their application can now fulfill either the job offer requirement or the educational requirement.
Work experience gained under an open work permit for vulnerable foreign workers will now count toward the program’s work experience requirement.

Program Details

Eligibility Requirements
Review the criteria for permanent residence under the Agri-Food Pilot.
Eligible Industries and Occupations
Find out which industries and occupations qualify for this program based on your work experience and job offer.
Applying for Permanent Residence
Get a list of required documents and learn how to apply online for permanent residence.
After You Apply
Understand the application process, including tracking your application status.
Preparing for Arrival
Discover what steps to take if your application is approved and prepare for your move to Canada.