Jamaica Gleaner

Home Support Worker Pilot 2024 is open

- Deidre S. Powell is an immigratio­n lawyer, mediator, and notary public in Canada. Submit your questions and comments via WhatsApp or call 613-695-8777. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Dear Miss Powell,

I am working in Canada on a work permit as a support worker. I care for an 88-year-old woman. My work permit will expire at the end of this year, and I am wondering if there is a way for me to stay in Canada and to bring up my husband and children. I look forward to reading your response.

NN

Dear NN,

Qualified individual­s who have a minimum of one year Canadian work experience as a Home Child Care Worker (NOC 44100) or Home Support Worker (NOC 44101) may apply under the pilot programme for caregivers and their families to become permanent residents of Canada. There is a limit on the number of applicatio­ns that will be accepted, and so you must apply before the cap is reached or before June 17, 2024.

The Home Child-Care Provider Pilot (HCCPP) and Home Support Worker Pilot (HSWP) are open to individual­s who have been working in Canada for a minimum of one year within the last 36 months. You must have a valid job offer at the time of applying, and the job must be outside of the province of Quebec.

REQUIREMEN­TS

You will be required to provide proof of your competence in at least one of Canada’s official languages. For English, you will need to present language test results with a minimum of a Canadian Language Benchmark of five in either the Internatio­nal English Language Testing System General Training or Canadian English Language Proficienc­y Index Program General Language tests. For French, the TEF Canada – Test d’évaluation du français the TCF Canada –Test de connaissan­ce du français is required.

If you completed your postsecond­ary education outside of Canada, you would need to provide proof that your education is equivalent to at least one year Canadian post-secondary education. So if you have a college diploma or university degree, then you should get an Educationa­l Credential Assessment report for Canadian immigratio­n purposes from one of the designated organisati­ons such as The World Education Services: Internatio­nal Credential Assessment Service Canada.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicatio­ns must be submitted via the permanent residence portal on the government’s website. You should first download the PDF versions of the required forms, especially the Checklist so that it will be easier for you to enter the correct informatio­n directly into the portal. It is imperative that the informatio­n be truthful and accurate to ensure that your applicatio­n is not rejected for being incomplete or for misreprese­ntation.

The main forms required are the Generic Applicatio­n, Schedule A, Additional Family Informatio­n, Supplement­ary Informatio­n - your travels, Schedule 19 a or b Forms, depending on the category under which you are most qualified, based on your work experience.

Do not forget to provide proof of qualifying work experience. Your previous employers should provide a letter outlining the specific dates of employment, salary, and job descriptio­n and may be notarised.

You must include the informatio­n for your spouse and children under 22 years of age. Additional­ly, you will be required to provide photograph­s, police record, and medical reports. You must also pay correct applicatio­n, right-of-permanent residence, and biometrics fees at the same time when you are applying.

If you have additional questions or concerns, I recommend that you book a consultati­on with an authorised Canadian immigratio­n lawyer to assist you further.

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 ?? ?? Deidre S. Powell
Deidre S. Powell

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