Maple News reports that Canada’s Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Child Care (HCWP:CC) reached its application limit just hours after opening on March 31, 2025. The program, which allows eligible foreign nationals working in child care occupations to apply for permanent residency, accepted its full quota of 2,750 online applications the same day it launched.
Of the total spots, 150 were reserved for out-of-status workers, reflecting the federal government’s continued effort to incorporate vulnerable migrant workers into permanent residency streams. The overwhelming response highlights a strong demand for Canadian immigration pathways targeting essential care workers.
While the online intake has closed, individuals who cannot apply digitally due to accessibility needs still have the option to submit their applications through alternate formats—including paper, braille, and large print. These accommodations are intended for applicants who require assistance and must first meet eligibility requirements for non-digital submissions.
At time of reporting, only the stream for applicants currently working in Canada has opened. The government has not yet announced when the stream for child care workers outside Canada will begin accepting applications.
The HCWP:CC is one of two pilot immigration programs under Canada’s broader Home Care Worker initiative, designed to offer a direct pathway to permanent residence over a five-year trial period. Like other federal pilot programs—such as the Atlantic Immigration Program, which successfully transitioned into a permanent scheme—the HCWP:CC could become a long-term fixture in Canada’s immigration system if proven effective.
For now, prospective applicants who were unable to apply in this intake will need to wait until 2026, when the federal government is expected to reopen the program.
This pilot targets a pressing national need: the shortage of qualified child care workers. By offering permanent status to foreign caregivers, Canada is investing in workforce stability and supporting working families across the country.
Maple News will continue to monitor updates from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on future openings and policy changes related to this and other immigration pilots.