Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released new details about two immigration streams set to launch under the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots. These programs aim to provide a more accessible route to permanent residency for foreign home care workers. Officially opening on March 31, 2025, the pilots will offer simplified pathways with reduced requirements in language proficiency, education, and work experience.
The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots will operate through two distinct streams: one for individuals already working in Canada and another for those applying from abroad. At launch, only the ‘Workers in Canada’ stream will be accepting applications, while the international stream is expected to open later in the year.
These programs are notable for being LMIA-exempt, removing the need for employers to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment—a typically time-consuming step in hiring foreign workers. Instead, qualified home care professionals will be able to gain employment and qualify for permanent residency much more swiftly after arriving in the country.
To prepare, IRCC recommends that prospective applicants in Canada take an approved language test and complete an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) prior to the March 2025 opening. These pre-application steps will be essential for ensuring eligibility when the doors officially open.
Additionally, IRCC has confirmed that even individuals with out-of-status work or immigration history in Canada may still be eligible under the new pilots. This inclusive approach could offer a lifeline to many already providing critical care services across the country.
While full details for applicants outside of Canada have not yet been announced, updates are expected in the coming months. IRCC has committed to releasing complete application instructions and specific eligibility guidance ahead of the second stream’s launch.
The new pilots are designed to replace the soon-to-expire Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilots, which previously helped hundreds of home care workers transition to permanent residence. With expanded criteria and a more streamlined process, the new HCWP programs signal Canada’s ongoing efforts to meet domestic caregiving labor demands while offering long-term stability to foreign workers.
As demand for in-home caregivers continues to grow, these pilots could offer a critical pathway to both employment and residency for many professionals seeking a future in Canada’s healthcare and support sectors.