People from overseas nations, staying in Canada, under the Live-in Caregiver Program or the LCP, now will be provided with open work permits, soon after the completion of their commitments as a caregiver in the country and the submission of permanent residence application. This open work permit will allow the caregivers to go out of their employer’s house and look for employment opportunities across other sectors.

According to a latest report, those who have submitted applications for open work permit along with their PR applications with complete details, as of December 11, will be provided with open work permits. Applications submitted afterwards will also be handled in the same way.

In the context of this new change, Jason Kenney, the Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister of Canada, was quoted as saying that there are several live-in caregivers in the country, who have already accomplished their obligations, but have been continuously living in their employers’ home. They had to do so, as their permanent residence applications are waiting for to be reviewed, which is very frustrating.

Previously, the live-in caregivers had to wait for an initial approval on their PR applications before they become eligible for open work permits. But, now the live-in caregivers will receive the open work permits nearly 18 months earlier.

Moreover, the Canadian families can hire overseas caregivers to take care of their child, an elderly person or an adult with disabilities, under the said program. However, caregivers from abroad could be hired, only when there is a shortage of Canadian people and permanent residents to meet this requirement. The caregivers have to work for 2 years to become eligible to apply for the prized Canada Permanent Residency (PR).