Home Care Workers: New Immigration Pathways to Canadian Permanent Residence
Home care workers now have access to more details about the upcoming pathways to Canadian permanent residence. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has provided updated information on the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWP), which introduce reduced eligibility requirements for language proficiency, work experience, and education.
These two new Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-exempt immigration pathways will allow foreign home care workers to secure employment and gain permanent residence (PR) upon arrival in Canada. The pilots will officially launch on March 31, 2025.
Who Can Apply for the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots?
Initially, only applicants currently residing in Canada will be eligible to apply under the HCWP. Candidates outside Canada will be able to apply later, with IRCC expected to release further details in the coming months.
The HCWP includes two application streams:
- Workers in Canada Stream
- Applicants Not Working in Canada Stream
The Workers in Canada Stream will begin accepting applications from March 31, 2025. The Applicants Not Working in Canada Stream will open at a later date.
To prepare for the application process, IRCC advises potential applicants to take an approved language test and obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) before the program’s launch.
IRCC has also cautioned that “guidance on how to prepare to apply” may be subject to change and recommends checking their website regularly for updates.
Eligibility Requirements for the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots
The IRCC has outlined the following eligibility criteria for the HCWP:
| Eligibility Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Work Experience | – Six months of recent, relevant work experience or – A credential of at least six months in home care training |
| Language Proficiency | CLB 4 or higher in English or French |
| Job Offer | – A private household or – An eligible organization that hires full-time home care workers |
| Education Requirement | Secondary school diploma |
| Residency Requirement | Applicants must intend to reside in a province other than Quebec |
Eligible work experience can be obtained either in Canada or abroad.
Eligible Employers for Job Offers
Foreign nationals applying under the HCWP must secure a job offer from one of the following eligible organizations:
- 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
Job offers from recruitment and placement agencies are not eligible. An LMIA is not required to support job offers under this program.
Eligibility for Out-of-Status Workers and Previous Home Care Pilot Applicants
In a significant development, IRCC has also made out-of-status home care workers in Canada eligible for the HCWP under a special public policy. However, only a limited number of spots will be available under this provision.
Additionally, some applicants under the now-closed Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilots (which ended in June 2024) may still be eligible to apply under the previous pathways. Those who applied under the “Gaining Experience Category” before June 2024 and have since acquired sufficient work experience may submit proof to IRCC for their PR application to be processed under past eligibility rules.
Final Thoughts: How to Prepare for HCWP Applications
The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots represent an important step in providing skilled foreign workers with a streamlined pathway to permanent residence. With lower language, education, and work experience requirements, the HCWP aims to address Canada’s growing demand for home care professionals.
To maximize your chances of success, ensure you:
- Take an approved language test in advance.
- Get your education credentials assessed through an ECA.
- Secure a qualifying job offer from an eligible employer.
- Regularly check IRCC updates for any new guidelines.
As Canada prepares to launch these new immigration programs, eligible home care workers should begin gathering necessary documents and preparing their applications early.
For the latest immigration updates, eligibility assessments, and expert guidance, keep following our reports.