Are you ready to transform your caregiving experience into a permanent home in Canada? The new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWIP) are set to launch on March 31, 2025, offering a unique path to permanent residency for those ready to live and work in Canada, outside of Quebec, and fill the growing need for home care professionals.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know: who qualifies, how to secure a job offer, and how to submit a successful application.
Whether you’re already in Canada or preparing for your move, let’s get started on making your Canadian dream a reality!
Book Your Consultation for Canadian Immigration
What Are the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots?
The HCWIP is an immigration program designed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to address the rising demand for in-home caregivers. It includes two specific pilots:
- HCWIP: Child Care – Targets workers providing in-home child care, like nannies (NOC 44100).
- HCWIP: Home Support – Focuses on caregivers for the elderly, disabled, or individuals needing home assistance (NOC 44101).
Each pilot has two application streams:
- Workers in Canada (opens March 31, 2025)
- Applicants Not Working in Canada (date TBD)
For 2025, only the Workers in Canada stream will accept applications, with a cap reset on March 31, 2026.
This guide focuses on the Workers in Canada stream to help you prepare for when the application portal opens.
Application Caps for the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots
A total of 5,500 applications will be accepted annually, just like the previous caregiver pilots (Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot). The application caps will reset on March 31, 2026, if they are reached before then.
Here’s the breakdown of caps for each pilot:
HCWIP: Child Care (Total 2,750 Applications)
- Workers in Canada Stream:
- Online Applications: 2,350
- Alternate Format Applications (e.g., paper, braille): 260
- Out-of-Status and Unauthorized Workers (Public Policy):
- Online Applications: 125
- Alternate Format Applications: 15
HCWIP: Home Support (Total 2,750 Applications)
- Workers in Canada Stream:
- Online Applications: 2,350
- Alternate Format Applications: 260
- Out-of-Status and Unauthorized Workers (Public Policy):
- Online Applications: 125
- Alternate Format Applications: 15
Eligibility Requirements for the Workers in Canada Stream
The Workers in Canada stream opens on March 31, 2025, and is designed for individuals already residing in Canada. Here’s what you’ll need:
Residency Requirement
You must be living in Canada at the time of your application with a valid permit. Temporary absences, such as vacations abroad, are acceptable as long as you can prove that Canada is your home base.
Work Authorization
You must be authorized to work full-time (30+ hours/week) in Canada through one of the following:
- A valid work permit (non-seasonal)
- Maintained status (e.g., after your permit expires and while waiting for renewal)
- Public policies (e.g., temporary measures for specific workers)
What doesn’t count:
- Working without a permit
- Employment as a business visitor
- Work experience on a study permit
Language Proficiency: Demonstrate Your Skills
You must prove language proficiency in either English or French at CLB/NCLC Level 4. Here’s how to meet the requirement:
- IELTS General Training (English): Minimum 4.0 in Reading, 4.5 in Writing, 5.0 in Listening, and 4.0 in Speaking
- CELPIP General (English): Minimum 4 in each section
- TEF Canada (French): Minimum score of 181–216 in Reading and Listening, 271–324 in Writing and Speaking
- TCF Canada (French): Minimum score of 375–405 in Reading and Listening, 4–5 in Writing and Speaking
Pro Tip: Test slots fill up quickly, so book early to avoid delays.
Education: Get Your ECA
You must have a minimum of a Canadian high school diploma or its equivalent. If you completed your education outside of Canada, you’ll need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to prove its equivalency to Canadian standards.
Approved ECA organizations include:
- World Education Services (WES)
- International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)
- Comparative Education Service (CES)
Your ECA report must confirm that your education is equivalent to at least a Canadian high school diploma, and it must be less than five years old when you apply.
Work Experience or Training: Show Your Skills
You need either 6 months of full-time, authorized work experience or 6 months of relevant post-secondary training. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Work Experience: 6 continuous months (30+ hours/week) within the last 3 years.
- Training: 6 months, full-time, post-secondary training completed within 2 years of your application.
Both work experience and training must match the NOC duties for your chosen pilot (Child Care or Home Support) and must have been completed after the age of 18.
Out-of-Status Workers in Canada: A Second Chance
If you’re in Canada without legal status, a public policy may still make you eligible to apply. To qualify, you must:
- Be in Canada when applying.
- Have entered Canada legally by December 16, 2021, and remained continuously in the country.
- Have previously held a valid work permit (even if expired).
Securing a Job Offer for the HCWIP
A valid job offer from a Canadian employer is essential for applying to the HCWIP. Your employer must verify if any additional hiring requirements apply to the program and comply with all immigration rules.
The job must meet these criteria:
- Occupation: For HCWIP: Child Care, it must be a home child care provider (NOC 44100), and for HCWIP: Home Support, it must be a home support worker (NOC 44101).
- Location: The job must be located in Canada (outside Quebec).
- Full-time: Minimum of 30 hours per week.
- Permanent: The position must have no predetermined end date.
Preparing Your Application
Applications open on March 31, 2025, at 10 a.m. ET. To avoid delays, start preparing now:
- Set Up Your Online Account: You’ll apply through the Permanent Residence (PR) Portal.
- Prepare Documents: Gather the required forms and documents based on your stream (Workers in Canada or Public Policy).
- Pay Fees: Fees start at $1,525 and cover processing, permanent residence rights, biometrics, and other third-party costs.
- Submit Your Application: Ensure all forms are completed, signed, and all necessary documents are uploaded.
The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots provide an incredible opportunity for qualified caregivers to build a future in Canada. Start your preparation today and take the first step toward your Canadian permanent residency!
