Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially announced the launch date for a new set of immigration programs dedicated to home care workers. Branded as the “Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots,” these pathways will open on March 31, 2025, and offer eligible applicants permanent residency status upon arrival in Canada.
These new pilot programs are being introduced to replace the now-closed Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot, which ceased operations on June 17, 2024. This marks a significant policy shift, providing expedited immigration opportunities for foreign caregivers who meet updated qualifications.
According to IRCC, candidates for these new pathways must demonstrate proficiency in English or French at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4, hold the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma, have recent and relevant home care work experience, and secure a full-time job offer in the home care sector in Canada.
Unlike previous pilot programs, which required a minimum of six months of eligible work experience before applying for permanent residency, the new pilots will allow successful applicants to gain PR status immediately upon arrival—a significant step toward easing the caregiver shortage in Canada.
IRCC initially unveiled its plans for these revamped caregiver pilots in early June 2024, but further information, including detailed eligibility guidelines and program logistics, are still to be released in the coming months.
The move aligns with Canada’s broader immigration goals of addressing labor shortages in vital sectors like healthcare and support services. Home care workers play a critical role in supporting Canada’s aging population, and this new approach aims to streamline the immigration process while recognizing the value of their contributions from day one.
Maple News will continue to monitor developments surrounding the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots and provide updates as new details emerge.