IRCC unveils new eligibility criteria for Home Care Worker pathways to permanent residency.
Home care workers now have access to more information about upcoming pathways to Canadian permanent residence. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has provided further details on the forthcoming Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWP), including updated eligibility criteria that lower the requirements for language proficiency, work experience, and education.
Overview of the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots
The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots consist of two new Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-exempt pathways for foreign home care workers to secure employment and obtain permanent residence (PR) upon arrival in Canada. These pilots are scheduled to launch on March 31, 2025.
Application Streams
Applicants can apply under one of the following two streams:
- Workers in Canada Stream
- Applicants Not Working in Canada Stream
Initially, only the Workers in Canada Stream will accept new applications starting at the end of March 2025. The Applicants Not Working in Canada Stream will open later in the year.
Preparation for Applicants IRCC advises potential applicants for the Workers in Canada Stream to take an approved language test and obtain an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) in advance of the pilot’s opening date.
Further details regarding application procedures for the Applicants Not Working in Canada Stream will be released later. IRCC also advises applicants to check the department’s website regularly, as eligibility and preparation guidelines may change.
Eligibility Criteria for the HCWP
| Eligibility Criteria | Requirements |
| Work Experience | – Six months of recent, relevant work experience OR– A credential of at least six months of related home care training |
| Language Proficiency | CLB 4 or higher in English or French |
| Job Offer | – Must have a job offer from a private household OR– An organization that directly hires full-time home care workers to provide short-term or occasional home care |
| Education | Secondary school diploma |
Applicants must also intend to reside in a province outside of Quebec to be eligible for these pathways.
Work Experience Requirements
Candidates who qualify based on work experience can have obtained their experience either in Canada or abroad.
Eligible Employers for Job Offers
Foreign nationals applying under the HCWP can receive job offers from the following types of 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
Note: Job offers from recruitment and placement agencies are not eligible. Additionally, an LMIA is not required in support of job offers.
Additional Eligibility for Out-of-Status Workers and Previous Applicants
IRCC has extended eligibility to home care workers in Canada who are currently out of status. These individuals may still qualify under the HCWP due to a public policy, though a limited number of spots are available.
Furthermore, some applicants who previously applied to the Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilots (which closed in June 2024) may still be eligible under the old pathways. Specifically, those who applied under the “Gaining Experience” category before June 2024, and have now accumulated enough eligible work experience, can submit proof of their experience to have their PR application reconsidered.
Key Takeaways
- The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWP) will open on March 31, 2025.
- Initially, only the Workers in Canada Stream will accept applications.
- Eligibility requirements include lower language, work experience, and education thresholds.
- Out-of-status workers may still apply due to public policy exemptions.
- Some applicants under previous pilot programs may qualify to submit proof of work experience to complete their PR application.
IRCC will continue to provide updates on eligibility, application processes, and requirements, so applicants are encouraged to monitor the official website regularly for the latest information.
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