IRCC Announces Application Process and Eligibility Criteria for New Home Care Worker Pilots

Canada is rolling out exciting new pathways for caregivers through two pilot programs aimed at improving the immigration process for home care workers. Starting March 31, 2025, the Canadian government is launching the Home Care Worker Immigration (Child Care) Class and the Home Care Worker Immigration (Home Support) Class. These initiatives are designed to meet the increasing demand for in-home care services while providing foreign caregivers with clearer, more accessible routes to permanent residence.

Key Features of Canada’s New Caregiver Pilot Programs

The Home Care Worker Pilot Programs are an important part of Canada’s strategy to address the rising need for home support and child care providers. Replacing the previous Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilots, these two new classes will offer more efficient pathways for both those currently working in Canada and those looking to move here.

These programs, which were outlined in the Canada Gazette on March 22, 2025, include specific rules regarding eligibility, application caps, and the distribution of applications based on work experience. The goal is to create a more transparent system for applicants, facilitating their transition from temporary workers to permanent residents in Canada.

Application Limits and Key Dates for 2025–2030

The annual application limit for these two programs has been set to ensure manageable intakes each year. The new caps for 2025–2030 are as follows:

2025–2026 (March 31, 2025 – March 30, 2026)

• Total applications per class: 2,610
• Stream A (for applicants with Canadian work experience only)

2026–2027 (March 31, 2026 – March 30, 2027)

• Total applications per class: 2,750
• Stream A only (Canadian work experience)

2027–2030 (March 31 – March 30, each year)

• Total applications per class: 2,750
• Stream A: 1,375
• Stream B: 1,375

The intake process can be completed online or via paper submission, with all submissions counting toward the annual application cap.

Program Requirements: Common Criteria and Stream-Specific Rules

Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements, with differences depending on whether they are applying through Stream A (with Canadian work experience) or Stream B (without Canadian work experience, opening in 2027). Both streams share some common criteria, which include:

Common Requirements for Both Streams:

• Language Proficiency: Applicants must score CLB/NCLC 4 or higher in all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing), with results from an IRCC-approved test taken within the past two years.
• Educational Qualifications: Applicants must present either a Canadian educational credential or a foreign diploma, certificate, or other credential that has been assessed with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) completed within the last 5 years.
• Work Experience or Training:
  • At least 6 months of continuous full-time work in an eligible occupation in the last 3 years.
  • Alternatively, completion of in-person training of at least 6 months, leading to a post-secondary credential in the past 2 years.
  • The applicant must have been at least 17 years old when training began.
• Genuine Job Offer: Applicants must secure a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a private household or business outside Quebec. The job must meet the median prevailing wage for the occupation in the province, and the employer cannot be related to the applicant.
• Proof of Funds (Stream B only): Applicants must demonstrate sufficient settlement funds, which must equal at least 50% of the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for their family size.

Stream A: With Canadian Work Experience

Applicants applying under Stream A must:

• Be living in Canada at the time of their application.
• Be authorized to work full-time in a non-seasonal job in Canada (excluding specific work permit exemptions).
• Maintain eligibility for permanent residency until it is granted.

This stream is ideal for caregivers already employed in Canada who have accumulated the necessary work experience and wish to transition to permanent resident status.

Stream B: Without Canadian Work Experience (Opens in 2027)

Stream B is set to open on March 31, 2027, and is designed for applicants who do not yet have Canadian work experience or who are living outside Canada. To qualify under Stream B, applicants must:

• Meet the same educational, language, and job offer requirements as Stream A.
• Provide proof of settlement funds and maintain eligibility through to their permanent resident status.

Stream B offers a unique opportunity for newcomers seeking to enter Canada directly for caregiving roles.

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Eligible Occupations for Child Care and Home Support Classes

To qualify for the Home Care Worker Immigration Class, applicants must have experience or a job offer in one of the following eligible occupations:

Child Care Class:

• NOC 44100: Child care providers (excluding foster parents).
• NOC 42202: Home child care providers (excluding early childhood educators, daycare teachers, and supervisors).

Home Support Class:

• NOC 33102: Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates.
• NOC 44101: Home support workers.

These occupations are specifically defined by the National Occupational Classification (NOC), and applicants must ensure that their duties align with these descriptions.

Conclusion

Canada’s new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots open the door to permanent residence for skilled caregivers, offering vital support to meet the country’s growing demand for home child care and home support workers. With clear intake limits, eligibility criteria, and pathways for both experienced caregivers in Canada and newcomers, these programs are an important step in strengthening Canada’s caregiving workforce and ensuring that qualified professionals can build a future in the country.