Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a launch date for the new immigration pilots for home care workers. The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots which were announced earlier in 2024 are set to officially open on March 31, 2025. The launch of these pilots creates a pathway to permanent residence (PR) for caregivers and replaces the previous pilots which expired last June 2024.
Permanent Residence Pathway for Home Care Workers
Under these new pilot programs, eligible home care workers will have the opportunity to obtain permanent residence upon arrival in Canada. This marks a significant shift from previous caregiver immigration programs, streamlining the process for qualified candidates.
Eligibility Criteria for the New Home Care Worker Pilots
To qualify for these enhanced care worker immigration pathways, foreign nationals must meet the following requirements:
- Achieve an official language proficiency equivalent to level 4 on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) scale;
- Possess the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma;
- Have recent and relevant work experience;
- Secure a full-time job offer in the home care sector.
Further details regarding the new pilots are to be announced by IRCC.
Background and Policy Changes
The Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot programs were officially closed on June 17, 2024. The discontinuation of these left a temporary halt in caregiver-specific admission and with the upcoming launch of the new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots, these previous caregiver pathways will now be fully replaced.
Over the years, Canada has seen several iterations of caregiver pathways, including:
- The Live-in Caregiver Program (closed in 2014);
- The Caring for Children Pilot (closed in 2019);
- The Caring for People with High Medical Needs Pilot (closed in 2019);
- The Interim Pathway for Caregivers (closed in 2019);
- The Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot (closed in 2024).
Immigration Targets and Future Allocations
As outlined in the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, IRCC has set a target of 10,920 new immigrant admissions under the “Federal Economic Pilots” category. The new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots will be included in this allocation. However, this total will also be divided among other federal economic pilot programs, such as:
- The Agri-Food Pilot;
- Community Immigration Pilots;
- The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot.
While the specific allocation for the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots has not yet been disclosed, these pathways are expected to provide much-needed opportunities for skilled home care workers to fill vacancies in Canada.
What’s Next?
As IRCC continues to refine the details of these new caregiver immigration pilots, further updates are expected in the coming months.
Prospective applicants should stay informed about program developments to ensure they meet eligibility requirements and prepare their applications accordingly.For professional guidance on navigating Canada’s immigration pathways, including the new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots, our team is here to assist.
Contact us today to learn more about your options for permanent residence in Canada.
The Team at Northern Connections Canada
