PETITIONS:
1. Reduce processing times for Open Work Permit (OWP)
2. Reduce processing times for Permanent Residence (PR) applications to ensure faster family reunification.

>Caregivers who have come to Canada under the auspices of the Live-in Caregiver Program (LCPs), and who have met the eligibility requirement of 2 years or 3900 hours of work for Permanent Residence (PR), are currently facing processing times of 22-23 months for first stage approval, and 17 months for second stage approval.* This is a three-fold increase in wait times from July 2010 processing times. At that time, the CIC had listed wait times of 6-7 months for first stage approval, and 7 months for second stage approval.* Many LCPs who entered under the program in 2008/2009 are therefore facing total wait times of 5.5 years before gaining PR status.  

>LCPs that entered under the program in 2008/2009 arrived on the expectation, and hope, of receiving their PR status in approximately 3 years, including their eligibility period based on the published processing timelines. With current processing times now three times longer, LCPs find themselves in limbo, unable to move on with their lives and achieve their goals.

>The effects of these increased processing timelines are far-reaching on the lives of LCPs. Families and children awaiting reunification suffer because of this. LCPs who hoped to pursue educational goals at post-secondary public institutions are unable to qualify for resident tuition rates until PR status is gained.  

>LCPs not only care for Canada’s children, disabled, and elderly, but are also a driver of the economy through their own fiscal contributions. Furthermore, the work of caregivers supports the success of their families and their ability to contribute to the economy as well.

>Canada is a country built by immigrants and Caregivers are eager to make their contribution to society.  Caregivers appeal to the Government of Canada to cut the red tape and treat them fairly.

Live-in Caregiver Permanent Residence (PR) Applications Processing Times.  

*Source: CIC Website Update (2010-2012).  

There are two steps in processing the following applications. In order to know the total approximate time it may take for your application to be processed, ADD the time for STEP 1 to the time for STEP 2 (the 2 steps are consecutive)

Date Updated: Step 1 – Initial Assessment Step 2 – Final Decision
July 12, 2010 .....6-7 months..... 7 months
August 16, 2010...... 7-8 months..... 8 months
September 15, 2010..... 8-9 months..... 9 months
October 19, 2010..... 9-10 months..... 10 months
November 3, 2010..... 10-11 months..... 11 months
December 29, 2010..... 11-12 months..... 12 months
January 13, 2011..... 11-12 months..... 13 months
January 26, 2011..... 11 months..... 13 months
February 23, 2011...... 12 months..... 15 months
March 30, 2011..... 12-13 months..... 15 months
April 27, 2011..... 12-13 months..... 15 months
May 4, 2011..... 13 months..... 15 months
May 11, 2011...... 13-14 months..... 15 months
July 20, 2011..... 15 months..... 16 months
July 26, 2011..... 15-16 months..... 16 months
August 24, 2011..... 16-17 months..... 16 months
December 14, 2011..... 18 months..... 17 months
January 4, 2012..... 18-19 months..... 17 months
February 15, 2012..... 19-20 months..... 17 months
April 2, 2012..... 17-18 months..... 17 months
May 14, 2012..... 22-23 months...... 17 months