The caregiver program historically allowed citizens of other countries to work in Canada providing in-home care for children and certain adults and eventually apply to become permanent residents. This program is now closed to new applicants and prospective caregivers must apply for a work permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. In December of 2017, there were approximately 1070 caregivers in Alberta, down from a high of 4700 in 2008. These numbers do not include undocumented workers.