Canada’s Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Are You Eligible for PR in 2025?

Canada’s Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: General Information for 2025 Applicants

Canada will launch a new immigration program designed to respond to the country’s need for home care workers. The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot (HCWP) is scheduled to begin on March 31, 2025. This program may provide eligible candidates with a pathway to permanent residency, subject to meeting Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requirements and approvals.

This pilot program replaces earlier caregiver immigration pathways — the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot — which closed on June 17, 2024. The HCWP has been introduced to streamline and improve access for qualified workers supporting Canada’s aging population and vulnerable communities.

Key Features of the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot

The HCWP has been structured to balance Canada’s immediate labour needs with opportunities for both domestic and international applicants. It establishes two separate streams, each designed to respond to the different circumstances of potential candidates:

• Workers in Canada Stream: This stream is intended for individuals who are already living and working in Canada as home care providers. By targeting those who have recent, relevant experience in the country, the program allows them to apply their skills while maintaining continuity of care for families and communities. It also provides a mechanism for workers who may have precarious or out-of-status situations to seek a more stable pathway.
• Applicants Not Working in Canada Stream: This stream is directed toward qualified international applicants who are not yet in Canada. It is designed to expand the pool of available home care workers in the future by attracting skilled individuals from abroad. While this stream will not be available immediately, it is expected to be introduced later, after the first phase of the program is underway.

The introduction of two distinct streams helps ensure that the program can both address urgent needs within Canada and plan for long-term recruitment from outside the country. The phased rollout is intended to allow IRCC to monitor outcomes, manage demand, and adjust program details as necessary.

At launch, only the Workers in Canada stream will be accepting applicationss.

Who May Qualify for the Workers in Canada Stream?

Eligibility is determined by IRCC. Based on government announcements, applicants must generally meet the following:

1. Work Experience or Training
   • At least six months of recent, relevant home care work experience (in Canada or abroad), or
   • Completion of a related educational credential of at least six months (e.g., home care training program).
2. Language Proficiency
   • Demonstrate Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 in English or French through an approved language test.
3. Education
   • Hold a secondary school diploma or equivalent.
   • Applicants with foreign education credentials must obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to confirm equivalency.
4. Job Offer
   • A valid, full-time job offer from an eligible employer, which may include:
     • Private households
     • Home health care service providers
     • Home care support service providers
     • Direct care agencies
     • Personal care services in residential settings
     • Pediatric home health care service providers
5. Intent to Reside
   • Applicants must show intent to live outside the province of Quebec.
   • 

Program Capacity and Benefits

• The Workers in Canada stream will accept up to 2,750 home care workers.
• Within this, 150 spots are reserved for out-of-status workers already in Canada, offering them a possible path to regularization.

Key program features compared to prior caregiver programs:

• Direct pathway: Eligible applicants may apply for permanent residence directly.
• Lower thresholds: Reduced language (CLB 4) and education (secondary diploma) requirements.
• No LMIA required: Job offers do not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment.
• Employment flexibility: Eligible to work with a range of employers, including both households and organizations.

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Preparing for an Application

Prospective applicants may consider the following steps in advance of the program launch:

• Schedule and complete an approved language test to demonstrate CLB 4 proficiency.
• Obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if education was completed outside Canada.
• Collect documentation supporting work experience, education, and job offer.

Final eligibility and application outcomes will depend on IRCC’s assessment.

Conclusion

The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot is a new federal immigration initiative to support Canada’s home care sector. By launching on March 31, 2025, and beginning with the Workers in Canada stream, the HCWP offers a structured process for qualified applicants. Interested individuals should review eligibility requirements carefully and prepare documentation in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the HCWP?
A federal immigration program designed to attract and retain skilled home care workers, potentially providing a pathway to permanent residency for qualified candidates.

2. When does the program launch?
March 31, 2025.

3. What streams are available?

• Workers in Canada stream (available at launch).
• Applicants Not Working in Canada stream (to be introduced later).

4. What are the eligibility requirements?

• Six months of relevant work experience or a related educational credential.
• CLB 4 in English or French.
• Secondary school diploma or equivalent (ECA required for foreign education).
• A valid, full-time job offer from an eligible employer.
• Intent to live outside Quebec.

5. Do I need an LMIA?
No, a Labour Market Impact Assessment is not required for this program.

6. How many spaces are available?
Up to 2,750 under the Workers in Canada stream, with 150 reserved for out-of-status workers.

7. How can I prepare?

• Take an approved language test.
• Obtain an ECA if applicable.
• Gather documents supporting eligibility.

8. Is permanent residence guaranteed under this program?
No. Meeting eligibility requirements allows an applicant to submit an application. The final decision rests with IRCC.

Disclaimer: This article is provided by Sohi Law Group for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law is complex, and individual circumstances vary. For advice about your situation, please consult a licensed immigration lawyer.