Canada's new caregiver program to open applications on June 18 The new Canadian caregiver programs will now give work permits that will allow them to change employers quickly. The two new 5-year caregiver immigration pilot project in Canada will start accepting applications on Tuesday, June 18. The new programs, the Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilots, will only receive a work permit if they have a job offer in Canada and meet the criteria. Applicants outside of Canada will have to meet the following requirements: Canadian Language Benchmark 5 language level One-year Canadian post-secondary education or its foreign equivalent Admissibility The programs will replace the Caring for Children and Caring for People with High Medical Needs pilots, which will expire in November this year. Applications to the expiring program will close on June 18 as well. According to the Canadian immigration office, the new program gives care workers "occupation-specific" work permits, which will allow them to change employers quickly, unlike the model of the expiring program which ties them to their employers. Caregiver applicants can also apply work or study permits for their spouse and children for permanent residency. The application will be finalized by the Canadian government after two years of work experience by the caregiver, if eligible for residency.