IRCC Announces Eligibility Criteria for New Home Care Worker PR Pathways

In a significant move to manage the growing demand for home care workers and to provide a streamlined pathway to permanent residence (PR) for caregivers, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has revealed the eligibility criteria for its new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots. Home care workers can now get more information on upcoming Canadian permanent stays. These pilots are ready to launch on March 31, 2025, and aim to attract skilled foreign nationals to support Canada’s aging population and home care services.  Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced updated details of the new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot (HCWP), including the smaller requirements for language, work experience, and education.

Overview of the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots

The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots are created to replace the previous caregiver immigration pathways, such as the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot, which were closed in June 2024. These new pilots present a more direct route to permanent residence for qualified home care workers upon arriving in Canada, eliminating some of the previously existing barriers.

Foreign nationals can apply to the new HCWP under one of two streams:

Workers in Canada stream: This stream will begin accepting applications in March 2025.

Applicants not working in Canada stream: This stream will open later in 2025, with more details to be announced by IRCC.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots, applicants must complete the following conditions:

Language Proficiency: Applicants must show proficiency in English or French with a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 4. This ensures that caregivers can communicate in their work environment.

Educational Qualifications: A minimum of a Canadian high school diploma or an equivalent foreign credential is needed. For foreign credentials, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from a recognized institution will be necessary to confirm equivalency.

Work Experience or Training: Candidates must have either:

At least six months of recent and relevant work experience in a home care setting, which can be obtained either in Canada or abroad.

A credential of at least six months in home care training, confirming that even those without prior work experience but with satisfactory training are eligible.

Eligible Organizations for Job Offers

A full-time job offer in the home care sector is required. Eligible applicants can contain private households and various organizations that directly hire home care workers, such as:

• 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

It’s important to note that job offers from recruitment and placement agencies are not eligible under these pilots. Additionally, a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is not required, simplifying the hiring process for employers.

Stay Informed

IRCC emphasizes that schedule details may change, so candidates should regularly check official web pages for updates and application procedures. This new opportunity offers a streamlined path to permanent residence for home care workers, making it easier for skilled caregivers to build a future in Canada. Are you looking for step-by-step help with Canada Immigration? Contact Idea Immigration, the certified immigration consultant, for end-to-end support!