Foreign nationals interested in immigrating to Canada as home care workers can now access full details regarding these programs.
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Check Your Eligibility for the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot
The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot (HCWP) is now officially divided into two distinct pilot programs:
- The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Child Care
- The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Home Support
As previously announced, each program includes two streams:
- Workers in Canada Stream
- Applicants Not Working in Canada Stream
The Workers in Canada stream for each pilot will accept applications from 10 AM EDT on March 31, 2025, until March 30, 2026, or until the cap is reached.
Details for the Applicants not working in Canada stream of each pilot will be released at a later date.
This article provides updated information on the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot (HCWP), including:
- A summary of eligibility requirements for each stream
- The selected occupations for these pilot programs
- Professional education and training requirements for candidates
- Accepted job offers and employer eligibility criteria
- Key requirements and conditions for in-Canada and out-of-status foreign nationals
- Required settlement funds for applicants outside Canada
- Application fees
Summary of Eligibility Requirements
The table below summarizes the eligibility criteria for the HCWP programs:
| Eligibility Requirement | HCWP Child Care | HCWP Home Support |
|---|---|---|
| Status in Canada (Applicants in Canada Stream) | Must be in Canada with valid work authorization (exceptions for some out-of-status workers) | Must be in Canada with valid work authorization (exceptions for some out-of-status workers) |
| Language Requirements | CLB 4 | CLB 4 |
| Education | Secondary school diploma or equivalent | Secondary school diploma or equivalent |
| Work Experience | 6 months as a home child care provider or early childhood educator/assistant | 6 months as a home support worker/caregiver, or nurse aide/orderly |
| Professional Training (For those without work experience) | Completed a 6-month or longer relevant credential | Completed a 6-month or longer relevant credential |
| Settlement Funds (Applicants not working in Canada) | Must show adequate settlement funds based on family size | Must show adequate settlement funds based on family size |
Which Occupations Are Eligible for the HCWP?
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has specified the types of home care workers eligible under the HCWP. The occupations are divided into two categories: Child Care and Home Support.
Applicants must have six months of continuous, full-time, relevant work experience in the past three years, or a six-month relevant educational credential. Qualifying work experience must be in one of the National Occupational Classifications (NOCs) for the program they are applying to.
HCWP: Child Care
Eligible occupations include:
- Home Child Care Providers (NOC 44100): Individuals who provide childcare services in private households, including babysitters, nannies, and parents’ helpers.
- Early Childhood Educators and Assistants (NOC 42202): This includes experience as an early childhood educator, daycare teacher, or supervisor.
HCWP: Home Support
Eligible occupations include:
- Home Support Workers, Caregivers, and Related Occupations (NOC 44101)
- Nurse Aides, Orderlies, and Patient Service Associates (NOC 33102)
Experience in an institutional setting (such as a long-term care facility) may be eligible.
To be valid, work experience cannot be:
- Gained as a full-time student
- Gained through self-employment
Professional Training Requirements for the HCWP
Foreign nationals without qualifying work experience can qualify by presenting an eligible professional training credential. This must be:
- A relevant educational credential of at least six months, completed within the last two years.
- Completed in Canada or abroad.
- A post-secondary level program, with at least 15 hours of in-person classroom study per week.
Eligible credentials must align with the NOCs for the Child Care or Home Support pilot programs.
What Job Offers Are Accepted Under the HCWP?
To be eligible, a job offer must:
- Be for a role in an eligible NOC and work setting
- Be in Canada and outside Quebec
- Be full-time (at least 30 hours per week) with no set end date
- Specify hourly wages, employment requirements, and job duties
Eligible NOCs and Work Settings
HCWP Child Care:
- Home Child Care Providers (NOC 44100)
- Early Childhood Educators and Assistants (NOC 42202)
Exclusions:
- Early childhood educators, daycare teachers, and supervisors.
HCWP Home Support:
- Home Support Workers, Caregivers, and Related Occupations (NOC 44101)
- Nurse Aides, Orderlies, and Patient Service Associates (NOC 33102)
Exclusions:
- Work experience or job offers in institutional settings (e.g., daycare, nursing homes) are not eligible.
What Is a Genuine Job Offer?
A “genuine” job offer must meet these conditions:
- Real Need: The employer must have a legitimate need to hire the applicant.
- Ability to Fulfill Terms: The employer must meet all job offer terms, including wages.
- Compliance with Laws: The employer must comply with relevant Canadian immigration and labor laws.
- Wage Requirements: Wages must meet or exceed the median wage for the occupation, according to Canada’s Job Bank.
Who Can Issue Job Offers Under the HCWP?
Eligible employers include:
- Private Households: Individual families hiring care providers.
- Businesses or Non-profits: Entities responsible for hiring, managing work conditions, and paying employees.
Ineligible Employers Under the HCWP:
- Recruitment or placement agencies
- Diplomatic missions (embassies, consulates)
- Employers found non-compliant with legal requirements
- Self-employed applicants or their family members
Requirements for Workers in Canada and Out-of-Status Applicants
- Workers in Canada: Must be in Canada with legal work authorization (valid work permit, maintained status, or legal authorization under a public policy).
- Out-of-Status Workers: A limited number of spots (140 per stream) are reserved for out-of-status workers under a regularization public policy.
Settlement Funds
Applicants not working in Canada must show proof of settlement funds, which depend on family size. The required funds are as follows:
| Family Size | Funds Required (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $14,690 |
| 2 | $18,288 |
| 3 | $22,483 |
| 4 | $27,297 |
| 5 | $30,690 |
| 6 | $34,917 |
| 7 | $38,875 |
| Additional Members | $3,958 per person |
Application Fees
Applicants must pay the following fees unless exempt:
- Processing Fees: $1,525
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee: $575
- Biometrics Fees: $85 per individual applicant (maximum $170 for families)
- Additional Application Fees: Medical exams, police certificates, education credential assessments, language tests, etc.
Employers cannot collect recruitment fees from applicants.
This guide provides essential details for foreign nationals applying to the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot. For up-to-date information, be sure to check official sources before submitting your application.
