Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots
IRCC has introduced new permanent resident pathways for home care workers
These pilot pathways hit their application cap in 2025 within hours of launching, and are currently not accepting applications at this time.
This CanadaVisa page will outline key eligibility factors and conditions, and application procedures for applicants to these new pathways.
Overview
IRCC has launched two new immigration pilots for home care workers, known collectively as the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWP).
These are:
- The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Child Care; and
- The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Home Support.
- The Workers in Canada stream; and
- The Applicants not working in Canada stream.
Out-of-status home care workers in Canada are also be eligible for the HCWP under a public policy.
At the initial opening of these pilots, only candidates through the "Workers in Canada" stream of both pilot programs will be allowed to submit applications.
The following tables breaks down the allocated number of applications for the Workers in Canada stream, and for out-of-status workers under each pilot program, by mode of application:
Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Child Care
| Category | Online | Alternate format |
| Workers in Canada | 2,350 | 260 |
| Out-of-status and unauthorized workers | 125 | 15 |
Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Home Support
| Category | Online | Alternate format |
| Workers in Canada | 2,350 | 260 |
| Out-of-status and unauthorized workers | 125 | 15 |
Allocations for the Applicants not working in Canada stream will be announced at a later date in 2025.
Eligibility
Eligibility for the Applicants in Canada stream of both HCWP pilots are summarized in the table below:
| Eligibility criteria | Details |
| Work experience | Applicants must have:
No in-Canada work experience is required for these new streams. |
| Language proficiency | Applicants must have a CLB level 4 language proficiency in English or French |
| Job offer | Applicants must have a job offer from either:
Labour Market Impact Assesments (LMIAs) are not required in support of job offers.
|
| Education | Applicants must hold at least a secondary school diploma or equivalent. Applicants who attended high school outside of Canada will need to have their education assessed visa an Education Credential Assessment (ECA). |
In addition to the above, candidates must also have an intent to reside in a Canadian province or territory other than Quebec to be eligible for the HCWP.
Job offer conditions
If not employed by a private household, applicants must have a job offer from one of the following organizations:
- Home health care service providers;
- Home care support service providers;
- Direct care agencies;
- Personal care services in residential settings; or
- Pediatric home health care service providers.
Job offers from recruitment and placement agencies are not eligible.
Language proficiency requirements
Applicants to the HCWP must prove they meet language proficiency requirements in English or French according to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) respectively.
Applicants must take an IRCC-approved language test to demonstrate their proficiency, and score a minimum of a CLB level 4 in all four language abilities, to be eligible.
How can I apply to this new pilot?
The department advises that foreign home care workers and students in Canada may begin to pursue an official language test, and get their education assessed in anticipation of the March 31 opening.
IRCC has not released any details regarding the application process for eligible foreign nationals outside of Canada.
The department is expected to release further details on the application process for these new streams upon the opening of the HCWP.
Contact the Cohen Immigration Law Firm for Assistance
Would you like to apply for permanent residence under the Health Care Worker Immigration Pilots? The Cohen Immigration Law firm can help. Cohen Immigration Law offers over 45 years of expertise in assisting workers and employers navigate Canadian immigration regulations.