Maple News reports that Canada’s Home Support Worker stream of the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot Program reached its application cap on the very day it reopened—March 31, 2025. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the program stopped accepting new online applications at approximately 2:25 p.m. EDT, just hours after launching.
The overwhelming demand highlights the strong interest in Canada’s home care sector, particularly among foreign nationals already working in the country. This year, the program had a total cap of 2,750 permanent residency application spots, including a dedicated allocation of 150 positions reserved for out-of-status workers.
While the online portal is now closed for this stream, alternative submission formats—such as paper, braille, or large print—are still being accepted. These options are intended primarily for applicants who face barriers to using the online system and require special accommodations.
The Home Support Worker stream is one of two pathways under the broader Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot. The second stream, aimed at applicants not currently working in Canada, has yet to open for the 2025 intake. IRCC has not released a date for when that stream will begin accepting applications.
In a related development, the Child Care Provider stream under the same pilot program also reached its capacity for online applications by the afternoon of March 31. That means both major arms of the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot are currently closed for standard digital submissions.
Typically spanning five years, Canada’s federal immigration pilots like this one are designed to address targeted labor shortages while offering a pathway to permanent residence. The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot allows caregivers to apply for permanent residency after gaining relevant work experience in Canada, serving as a crucial avenue for those filling essential caregiving roles in Canadian households.
The pilot program is expected to reopen in 2026, offering another opportunity for eligible applicants seeking permanent residency in this sector. For now, prospective caregivers hoping to immigrate to Canada through this route may need to explore alternative immigration programs or wait for the next intake window.
Stay with Maple News for updates on when the remaining streams will reopen and for the latest in Canadian immigration policy developments.