Caregiver Work Permit in Canada: What Is Open and What Is Closed
You can work in Canada as a home child care provider or home support worker with an LMIA-based work permit. The caregiver permanent residence pilots are closed to new applicants. The rules also differ a lot if you are inside Canada, outside Canada or working in Quebec.
since 1991
Can caregivers still get a work permit in Canada?
Yes. A caregiver can get a work permit through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) if the employer first gets a positive LMIA. IRCC covers two jobs: home child care provider (NOC 44100) and home support worker (NOC 44101).
The care must be full time, at least 30 hours a week, in the private home where the care is given (ESDC).
Who can apply, and from where?
You can apply for this work permit if you are in Canada with a valid study or work permit, or if you are allowed to work without a permit. You can also apply from outside Canada if you will work in Quebec. You cannot apply from outside Canada for a job outside Quebec, at a port of entry or as a visitor (IRCC).
What are the care categories?
- Children: care for children under 18, such as a nanny or child care provider (NOC 44100)
- High medical needs: care for seniors 65 or older, or people with disabilities or a chronic or terminal illness (NOC 44101 and some nursing roles)
- Live in or live out: employers can hire on either basis
- Duration: employers can ask for up to 1 year for a low-wage job or up to 3 years for a high-wage job
Is this page for you?
A quick check before you hire or apply.
Read this if you
- Are a caregiver in Canada who wants to extend or change jobs
- Are a family that needs to hire a caregiver
- Want to know what happened to the caregiver PR pilots
Look elsewhere if you
- Need a farm worker, see our agricultural workers guide
- Want a work permit for another job, see the work permits hub
- Already hold a permit and only need to extend, see the work permit extension guide
See the LMIA work permits guide, the hire a foreign worker guide and the maintained status guide.
Five caregiver routes
Your route depends on where you are and where you will work. Source: IRCC and ESDC.
New LMIA-based permit
The employer gets a positive LMIA first, then you apply for the work permit. This route gets faster processing for people already in Canada.
Extend or change jobs
If you hold a valid permit, a new employer needs a positive LMIA before you apply to extend or change conditions. Apply before your permit expires.
Maintained status
If you applied to extend before your permit expired and you stay with the same employer, you may keep working while you wait. See maintained status.
Restore status
If your permit expired and you lost status, you may be able to restore it as a worker. See restore status.
Permanent residence
The caregiver PR pilots are closed. Look at Express Entry or a provincial nominee program if you qualify.
Caregiver or employer?
We check your route and your LMIA plan before you file.
Rules to know first
Pilots are closed
The Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilots closed to new applicants on June 17, 2024. The Home Care Worker Immigration pilots show as closed.
Old programs closed
The Live-in Caregiver Program, the Caring for Children and High Medical Needs pilots and the Interim Pathway are closed too.
Outside Canada
For a job outside Quebec, you cannot apply for this permit from outside Canada.
Employer first
No LMIA, no permit. The employer’s positive LMIA comes first.
Change jobs early
You may ask for authorization to change jobs while IRCC processes your application.
Check the page date
IRCC may reopen or change programs. Check IRCC before you file.
Related pages
These pages cover LMIA, work permits and status.
How to apply as a caregiver
Five actions, in order.
Check your location
Inside Canada, outside Canada or Quebec.
Find an employer
The employer needs a positive LMIA.
Confirm the job
Home child care provider or home support worker, at least 30 hours.
Apply for the permit
File once the LMIA is positive.
Plan the end date
Extend before the permit expires.
Want help with your file?
We check your route and your documents first.
Caregiver work permit, step by step
Six steps from job offer to permit.
Check where you are
Your location decides if you can apply.
Find an employer
A private household or employer offers a full-time care job.
Employer gets an LMIA
Service Canada must issue a positive LMIA first.
Start the job
Follow your permit conditions. Ask before changing jobs.
Five mistakes by caregivers and families
These mistakes cost time and status.
Counting on a closed pilot
The caregiver PR pilots are closed. Do not plan around them.
Applying at the border
You cannot apply for this permit at a port of entry.
Applying as a visitor
A visitor in Canada cannot use this route.
Letting the permit expire
Apply to extend before it ends, or you may lose status.
Starting a new job too soon
Ask for authorization to change jobs before you start.
Caregiver facts at a glance
Key facts from IRCC and ESDC, checked October 2026. Last updated: October 2026. Source: IRCC.
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Caregiver FAQs
Can I get a caregiver work permit in Canada?
Yes, if an employer first gets a positive LMIA through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. IRCC covers home child care providers (NOC 44100) and home support workers (NOC 44101).
Who can apply from inside Canada?
You can apply if you hold a valid study or work permit, or you are allowed to work in Canada without a permit. Visitors cannot use this route.
Can I apply from outside Canada?
Only if you will work in Quebec. For a job in any other province or territory you cannot apply from outside Canada through the TFWP, and you cannot apply at a port of entry.
Are the caregiver PR pilots still open?
No. The Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilots closed to new applicants on June 17, 2024, and the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots show as closed on IRCC. Check IRCC for any change.
What about the Live-in Caregiver Program?
It is closed to new applicants unless you already had a work permit under it based on an LMIA submitted before December 2014.
How many hours must a caregiver work?
The TFWP requires full-time care, at least 30 hours a week, in the private household where the care is given.
How long can a caregiver permit last?
Employers can ask for up to 1 year for a low-wage position or up to 3 years for a high-wage position, based on reasonable employment needs.
Can I change employers?
Yes, if your new employer gets a positive LMIA first. You can request authorization to change jobs while IRCC processes your application.
Can I keep working while my extension is processed?
You may, if you applied before your permit expired and you stay with the same employer. This is called maintained status. See our maintained status guide.
My permit expired. What now?
You may be able to restore your status as a worker. See our restore status guide.
Can a caregiver become a permanent resident now?
Not through the closed caregiver pilots. Look at Express Entry or the provincial nominee programs, since eligibility depends on your job, skill level and score.
Where can I get help with a caregiver case?
Book a Strategy Consultation with Amir Ismail, RCIC R412319. We check your route, your employer’s LMIA plan and your deadlines.
