The old program was employee-driven and employer-focused, meaning employers were able to hire employees through Labor Market Impact Assessment and, the employees were bound to work for the employer. Caregivers who are hired by an employer outside of Canada are no longer subject to the LMIA process. However, employers hiring caregivers must still comply with the requirements of the Immigration Act. Now, the caregivers who are issued an occupation-specific work permit are not bound to work at that particular employer or location and are allowed to work for any or multiple employers or locations as long as they have the same occupation.
Second, the old program allowed only the caregiver to enter Canada. Caregivers were not permitted to bring their dependents with them. A new program has been introduced which allows the entry of spouses and dependents at the work permit stage, along with the principal applicant.