Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced the launch of two new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWP), providing foreign home care workers with streamlined pathways to permanent residence (PR) in Canada. These new immigration programs, which will be exempt from Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA), are set to open on March 31, 2025.
The HCWP will initially accept applications only from candidates currently in Canada, with opportunities for applicants outside Canada to follow later in the year. These new pathways feature reduced eligibility requirements, including lower language proficiency scores, modified work experience criteria, and more accessible education qualifications.
The new pilots will operate under two distinct streams: the Workers in Canada stream, which will begin accepting applications upon the program’s launch in March, and the Applicants Not Working in Canada stream, which will open at a later date. IRCC has encouraged potential applicants under the Workers in Canada stream to take an approved language test and obtain an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) in preparation for the upcoming intake.
The department has also confirmed that out-of-status home care workers currently residing in Canada may be eligible to apply, providing a critical opportunity for individuals seeking to regularize their immigration status.
These new pathways come as the previous Home Child Care Worker Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot have officially closed. IRCC will issue further guidance for those who applied under these earlier programs.
IRCC advises all prospective applicants to stay informed by regularly checking its official website, as program details and application procedures may be subject to change.