Language selection

Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada

Search

Application for permanent residence – Interim Pathway for Caregivers

The Interim Pathway for Caregivers ended on October 8, 2019. If you submitted an application before or on October 8, we’ll continue to process it.

If you need to send us your language test results or educational credential assessment, follow the instructions in the guide.

The interim pathway for caregivers is a dedicated pathway to permanent residence for temporary foreign worker caregivers who came to Canada and may have expected to obtain permanent residence but do not qualify under other caregiver pathways such as the Home Child Care Provider or Home Support Worker pilots.

This pathway is dedicated to caregivers who have:

  • language skills of at least a CLB 5 in English or French; and
  • 12 months of full-time work experience in Canada since November 30, 2014 in a relevant occupation; and
  • a minimum of a Canadian high school diploma or non-Canadian educational diploma, certificate or credential that’s equal to a Canadian high school diploma.

You need to give your biometrics

In most cases, you now need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) after you apply.

Find out who needs to give biometrics and how the new application process works.

Biometrics and the application process

Image that represents the different stages of the application process and biometrics.

We refer to your fingerprints and photo as biometrics. We collect biometrics for most applications. Find out what happens from when you submit your application to when you get to Canada and where biometrics fits in the process.

1. Apply for permanent residence

If you want to apply for permanent residence in Canada, make sure you’re eligible to apply. Use our application guides to help fill out your application properly, then submit your application.

Avoid processing delays by sending us a complete application.

2. Get your fingerprints and photo taken

If you’re between 14 and 79 years old, you need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) for every application for permanent residence you submit. Even if you gave your biometrics in the past and they’re still valid.

  • You must pay the biometrics fee when you submit your application. Otherwise you may experience delays.
  • Get this done as soon as you get the letter from us that tells you to give biometrics.
  • You have 30 days to do this from the date on the letter.

Temporary changes to biometrics

Book your biometric appointment as soon as you can to avoid processing delays.

If you can’t book an appointment by the deadline on your biometric instruction letter, there may be measures in place to help you.

Find out who needs to give, how to give, and where to give your biometrics.

3. We process your application

After we get your biometrics, we start processing your application. See how long it takes to process your application.

If we need more information from you, we’ll contact you.

4. We make a decision on your application

When we finish reviewing your application, we let you know if you’re approved to come to Canada. If you are, we issue your documents.

If your application is refused, we send you a letter that tells you why.

5. You travel to Canada (if you’re approved)

Make sure you travel with the documents we gave you. This includes documents like your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), permanent resident visa (if you’re from a country that needs a visa), or eTA (electronically linked to your passport) if you’re from a visa-exempt country or your single entry journey document if you don’t have a travel document.

Airline staff and border service officers at ports of entry will ask to see your travel documents. If you don’t have them, you may not be able to board your flight to Canada.

Make sure children under 18 travel with the right documents.

6. We check your identity when you arrive in Canada

When you arrive, we check your identity to make sure that you are the same person who was approved to travel to Canada. We may use your biometrics to do this.

If we can’t verify your identity, you may be detained by a border services officer. These officers help protect the health and safety of Canadians.

If the officer determines that you’re not admissible to Canada, you won’t be allowed to enter Canada. If you came by air, you’ll have to take a return flight to where you came from.

7. You’re allowed to enter Canada

If you pass the identity check and meet the entry requirements, the border services officer stamps your passport and lets you know how long you can stay in Canada. You’re normally allowed to stay in Canada for up to six months.

Children under 18 must meet the same entry requirements as adults. The border services officer may ask minor children to show other documents depending on whether the child is travelling alone or with someone.

Basic entry requirements

You must meet some basic requirements to enter Canada. You must:

  • have a valid travel document, like a passport
  • be in good health
  • have no criminal or immigration-related convictions
  • convince an immigration officer that you have ties—such as a job, home, financial assets or family—that will take you back to your home country
  • convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit
  • have enough money for your stay
    • The amount of money you will need depends on how long you will stay and if you will stay in a hotel, or with friends or relatives.

Some people are not admissible to Canada, which means they are not allowed to enter the country. You can be inadmissible for several reasons, including being involved in:

  • criminal activity
  • human rights violations
  • organized crime

You can also be inadmissible for security, health or financial reasons.

Find out more about inadmissibility.

Biometrics fee

  • Individual applicant: CAD $85
  • Families applying at the same time: maximum total fee of CAD $170
  • Groups of 3 or more performing artists and their staff who apply for work permits at the same time: maximum total fee of $CAD 255

If you are unsure if the Interim Pathway for Caregivers is the right pathway for you, check this chart to help you determine which pathway you may be eligible to apply for.

 Get help to open an application form or to fill one out in the Help Centre.

This application package includes:

How to use this application package

Read the instruction guide to help you fill out your application.

Fill out

Fill out, validate, print, sign and date your application forms.

To make sure you submit all the pages:

IMM 0008:

  1. Click the “Validate” button. This button is at the top and bottom of the form.

    Note: Validate the form before you print it. This will help make sure you have answered all the questions. It will help avoid delays in processing your application.

  2. A last page with barcodes and a signature line will automatically be created.
  3. Print, sign and date the form.
  4. for best results:
    • print on white, bond-quality, non-glossy paper
    • use a laser printer
  5. Place the barcode page on top of your package. If you have more than one package, place a separate barcode page on each one.

Other forms:

Use the Document Checklist [IMM 0105] (PDF, 3.39MB) to make sure you include all the other forms and documents you need.

Pay the fees

Visit the Pay your fees page to learn about which payment methods we accept.

Mailing

Mail your completed application to the Case Processing Centre in Edmonton (CPC-E), Alberta.

Need help?

Find out more about the barcode form.

How-to video

Save Time: Send a Complete Application

Find out if you are eligible

Come to Canada

Page details

Date modified: