Table of Contents: 

  • Introduction: Hiring a Caregiver from Outside Canada
  • Can I Bring in a Caregiver as a Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW)?
  • What are the Steps for Hiring a Foreign Caregiver through the TFWP?
  • Can I Bring in a Caregiver via the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots (HCWIPs)?
  • Can I Hire a Family Member as a Caregiver?
  • An Immigration Lawyer Can Simplify the Process 
  • Introduction: Hiring a Caregiver from Outside Canada

 Arranging care for young children, an elderly parent, or someone with significant medical needs can be stressful. It’s all the more difficult if you are having trouble finding a qualified caregiver in Canada. This is why families sometimes consider bringing in a temporary foreign worker to fill the need.  

Since 2024, Canada has continuously reduced the number of immigrants permitted, with priority going to skilled workers as well as those who speak French and are already in Canada. Temporary foreign workers, including caregivers, are no exception. This reflects a shift from the increases in immigration targets we saw during the COVID pandemic.

With the suspension of the Home Care Worker Immigration pilot (HCWIP) announced in December 2025, the government no longer offers a dedicated pathway for bringing a caregiver into Canada. This change doesn’t just impact the families who need the caregiving; it also means that caregivers already working in Canada may not be able to remain in the country when their work permit expires.

A good immigration lawyer, with their in-depth knowledge of immigration regulations and changes, can guide you through the process of navigating a caregiver’s immigration to Canada. At Patrice Brunet Avocats, we offer strategic advice to help you avoid common mistakes and maximize the chances of success.  

Can I Bring in a Caregiver as a Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW)?

 Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is designed for short-term situations in which no Canadian permanent resident is available to perform a particular service. The TFWP is currently the only pathway for bringing a caregiver to Canada.

In the context of caregiving, the TFWP applies to caregivers of children, seniors, or people with particular medical requirements. Caregivers are also known either as home child care providers or home support workers.

The program covers two categories of caregivers:

1) Caregivers for children under 18, which include childcare providers, live-in caregivers, or nannies

2) Caregivers for people with high medical needs (seniors aged 65 or over, or people with a disability, chronic, or terminal illness), which include registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, licensed practical nurses, attendants for persons with disabilities, home support workers, live-in caregivers, or personal care attendants 

In order to qualify for the TFWP, the person seeking to hire a caregiver make sure the following conditions are met:

–   the caregiver must provide care for a minimum of 30 hours per week;

–   they must work in the household where the care is being provided; and

–   they must meet the requirements set by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)/Service Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

What are the Steps for Hiring a Foreign Caregiver through the TFWP?

First, you will likely need to complete a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to confirm that no Canadians or permanent residents of Canada are available to do the job, and demonstrate the need for a temporary foreign worker. If the person already has an open work permit, you do not need an LMIA. You can review this list to determine whether you may be exempt, and this list to determine whether a work permit is needed.

To complete a LMIA, create a user account and registering on the Government of Canada’s Job Bank portal. You can do this online yourself, or have a third party complete the process on your behalf. As the employer, you’ll need to provide a proof of address, your most recent tax documents, any documentation used to recruit potential workers (such as an advertisement), and proof of the care required. Some provinces also have additional requirements – for example, Quebec. 

If you are hiring a caregiver to assist with medical needs, or for a child under age 13, the $1,000 processing fee for an LMIA application is waived.

The third step involves applying for a work permit online.

You can view the requirements for language proficiency, education/training, and experience here.

Some provinces have additional requirements for temporary foreign workers that reflect their particular needs. For example, Quebec requires newcomers to have a certain level of knowledge of French.

Can I Bring in a Caregiver via the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots (HCWIPs)?

Canada’s Home Care Worker Immigration pilots (HCWIP) constituted one possible pathway through which caregivers could gain permanent residency. The pilots were introduced in June 2024, with applications accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. On December 19, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that the program will be suspended due to excess demand. Wait times had become very long, and the Globe and Mail even reported that many people could not submit their applications before the cap was reached. Although the program was initially expected to reopen in March 2026, the government has confirmed that it will stay closed until further notice. 

Can I Hire a Family Member as a Caregiver?

In order to hire a family member from another country as a caregiver in Canada, you would need to prove that you were unable to hire a Canadian citizen or resident. You would also need to pay them a salary in line with market rates. For these reasons, it is not usually possible to hire a family member as your caregiver, no matter how qualified they are. If you have a family member interested in immigrating to Canada, we would recommend pursuing another pathway.  

An Immigration Lawyer Can Simplify the Process 

Navigating Canada’s immigration laws, especially in these times of uncertainty and changing laws, can be overwhelming. If you’re thinking about bringing in a caregiver from outside Canada, an immigration lawyer is well placed to help determine your options.

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