Canada has revamped the immigration process for home care workers. The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWP), one focused on Child Care and the other on Home Support, transition caregivers from a “work first, apply later” system to obtaining permanent residence (PR) upon arrival once approved. This change eliminates years of uncertainty for those caring for Canada’s children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.
Important update for 2025: As of August 26, 2025, IRCC is only accepting applications through the “Workers in Canada” stream. The pathway for applicants not currently working in Canada (the genuine “PR on arrival from overseas” option) has not yet opened. Please plan accordingly.
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Why this change matters (and why demand is real)
- Canada anticipates approximately 179,800 job vacancies in nurse aide, orderly, patient service associate, and home support/caregiver positions between 2024 and 2033, averaging around 17,980 openings annually.
- According to Job Bank, home support workers, caregivers, and similar roles (NOC 44101) are expected to experience a significant risk of labor shortages nationwide during 2024–2033.
- On June 3, 2024, IRCC announced pilot programs that explicitly offer eligible home care workers permanent residency upon arrival, streamlining the hiring process and decreasing their risk of exploitation.
Program at a glance
- Two pilots:
- Home Care Worker – Child Care (NOC 44100, related ECE NOC 42202 with caveats)
- Home Care Worker – Home Support (NOC 44101, related NOC 33102)
- Home Care Worker – Child Care (NOC 44100, related ECE NOC 42202 with caveats)
- Two streams in each pilot:
- Workers in Canada (open; 2025 intake filled but page stays current)
- Applicants not working in Canada (will open later; overseas PR-on-arrival route)
- Workers in Canada (open; 2025 intake filled but page stays current)
- Core requirements (both pilots):
- Full-time job offer in eligible home care work
- Language: minimum CLB/NCLC 4 in all skills
- Education: Canadian high school diploma or higher (ECA if abroad)
- Recent experience/training: either 6 months continuous full-time relevant experience in the last 3 years or a relevant training credential completed in the last 2 years (by pilot/NOC)
- Admissibility and proof of funds where required (overseas stream)
- Full-time job offer in eligible home care work
“PR on arrival”: what it actually means in 2025
Policy intention: Eligible caregivers will be granted permanent residence approval first, then enter Canada as permanent residents—eliminating the previous requirement to accumulate a certain number of months of Canadian work experience before applying.
Current situation: IRCC has confirmed that only the Workers in Canada stream is currently accepting applications; the Applicants not working in Canada stream (for those applying from abroad to become permanent residents) will open at a later time.
Bottom line : If you are already in Canada with work authorization, you can apply now through the Workers in Canada stream and transition to permanent residence (you will become a permanent resident upon approval). If you are outside Canada, prepare your application now and wait for the overseas stream to open.
A) For applicants already in Canada (Workers in Canada stream)
- Confirm eligibility
- Secure a compliant job offer
- Gather documents
- Apply online in the IRCC portal
- Maintain your status while waiting
- Decision & landing as PR
B) For applicants outside Canada (Applicants not working in Canada stream — not yet open)
- Pre-qualify now (CLB 4 + ECA)
- Line up a compliant job offer
- Prepare proof of funds
- File as soon as IRCC opens the stream
Example in a real-life context:
Ana, a home support worker (NOC 44101), has been working in Toronto on a work permit since 2023. She earned her Canadian Personal Support Worker (PSW) certificate, which is recognized qualifying training, in 2024 and is employed full-time providing in-home care to an elderly person.
What she did in 2025:
She confirmed her language proficiency at CLB 4, gathered her PSW certificate, job offer letter, and pay stubs.
She applied under the Home Child Care Provider Pilot (HCWP) – Home Support (Workers in Canada) category.
After completing biometrics and medical exams, she maintained her valid status while awaiting a decision.
Once approved, she paid the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) and became a permanent resident, gaining independence from her employer.
Frequent mistakes include:
– Sending job offers that do not align with NOC responsibilities.
– Assuming the overseas intake has already started.
– Omitting the required ECA and language assessments.
– Allowing Canadian status to expire during the waiting period.
Quick checklist
- Passport & family civil docs
- Language test
- ECA (high-school equivalency or higher)
- Job offer with duties matching NOC
- Experience or training proof
- Police certificate & medical exam (as requested)
- Proof of funds (if applying from overseas once stream opens)
Closing remarks
The new caregiver pilot programs aim to eliminate the uncertainty caregivers experienced with previous programs. If you are currently in Canada, the Workers in Canada stream offers the quickest path. If you are outside Canada, complete your language tests, Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), and job offer preparations now so you can apply immediately when the stream opens—moving you closer to permanent residency upon arrival.
Sources
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) – News Release, June 3, 2024: New caregiver pilots to grant PR on arrival.
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) – Home Care Worker Pilot program page, updated 2025.
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) – Eligibility criteria for HCWP Child Care and Home Support streams, 2025.
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) – Application instructions and “After you apply” steps, updated August 19, 2025.
- Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) – Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) 2024–2033, Home Care/Support roles.
- Government of Canada Job Bank – Occupation Outlook: Home Support Workers, Caregivers and Related Occupations (NOC 44101), 2024–2033.
- Government of Canada Job Bank – Current postings for Health Care Assistants, PSWs, and caregivers (live data, 2025).
- CIC News – Coverage of HCWP launch on March 31, 2025.
