Canada’s population is aging so the percentage of retirees is increasing. The country is in need of home support workers and caregivers so they offer a pilot program where they also offer permanent residence.
What the Pilot Program is
On January 1st, 2022, Canada is once again going to open applications for one of its biggest pilot programs: Home Support Worker Pilot (HSWP). It’s one of Canada’s newest pathways to permanent residency. They opened it because of the country’s need for essential workers, especially in this season of Covid. In 2021, thousands of people applied under the pilot, but the need doesn’t stop there.
This is a great chance for Canada to meet your desires and for you to meet the country’s needs. Ontario and Saskatchewan are especially short of these caregivers. It’s an even greater opportunity for Filipinos as many receive their education in nursing, caregiving, or hospitality.
- General Requirements for HWSP
- One-year post-secondary educational credential
- Foreign educational credential
- Must indicate it’s an equivalent to a Canadian credential
- Be less than 5 years old at the time of application
- Be issued after ECA organization was designated by IRCC
- Proof of qualifying Canadian work experience
- Needs to be at least 2 years
- NOC 4411 – Home Child-Care Provider Pilot
- NOC 4412 – Home Support Worker Pilot
- Official Language Proficiency CLB 5
- A valid job offer
- Demonstration of ability to perform the work from past experience, training, or education
How to Apply for HWSP
This is the tricky part and honestly doesn’t make much sense when you’re jumping between different tabs on the official Canadian government site. Here are the basic steps for you to take if you want to apply through HWSP.
- Get a Valid Job Offer
The pilot program doesn’t match employers with caregivers. Either you or the employer can contact each other. This is an LMIA-exempt program. All that’s needed is for your employer to fill out the employment offer form included in the application.
- Gather Documents and Apply for HSWP
Once you have the job offer and all the requirements mentioned above, you are all set to apply for the program. If you haven’t completed 2-years of Canadian work experience, don’t worry! You will be issued an occupation restricted open work permit for caregivers. This work permit is exclusive to the occupation and not the employer. Meaning, you can change employers as long as you maintain the NOC for caregivers. The work permit is valid for 3 years.
- Complete 24 months of experience
Within the work permit validity, you can complete the 24 months of Canadian work experience. Breaks are permitted! Once completed, submit the proof of completion to IRCC, and they will start processing your residency application.
Getting Canadian work experience is the most important aspect of the pilot program. Applying will be a little harder if you don’t have the minimum amount of experience, but it’s not impossible. If you still have questions, check out this FAQ.
Why is it for Filipinos?
With many Filipinos getting their education in nursing or caregiving, taking their chance in other countries that won’t give them as much benefit as in Canada. The HWSP will allow you to take your skills and education to another level and at the same time, bring your family members to Canada and become a permanent residents. Like all things, this will take some time to process, but it’ll be worth it in the end. Your options aren’t just limited to being a health care aide; you can also go into gerontology or early childhood education.
If you still have questions, feel free to reach out to us.
Source: Home Support Worker to PR Home Support Worker Application Criteria Home Support Worker Pilot Essential Worker Permanent Residency Pathway