Home care workers are the backbone of Canadian communities, offering essential support to children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Their contributions not only improve the quality of life for many but also help sustain a robust workforce and a thriving economy.
The upcoming Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots are designed to streamline the process for caregivers in home support and home child care, enabling them to:
- Achieve permanent residency in Canada, and
- Access a broad range of employment opportunities.
There are two application streams planned:
- Workers in Canada (applications will open first)
- Applicants not working in Canada (opening at a later date)
About the Pilots
Building on the successes of previous initiatives, these new pilots are tailored to meet the evolving home care needs of Canadians while recognizing the indispensable role of care providers.
One-Step Permanent Residency
The pilots introduce a simplified, one-step immigration process for qualified home care workers and their families, eliminating the previous requirement for Canadian work experience in the occupation.
Reduced Language and Education Requirements
To make the process more accessible, the new requirements have been lowered:
- Language: A minimum of level 4 in the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) is now sufficient.
- Education: A Canadian high school diploma (or equivalent) meets the educational criteria.
No Prior Canadian Work Experience Needed
Applicants do not need to have prior work experience in Canada. Instead, they must:
- Provide evidence of recent, relevant work experience or
- Complete a minimum of 6 months of certified home care training. Additionally, candidates must secure a full-time job offer in home care within Canada (excluding Quebec).
Flexible Job Opportunities
Job offers can be sourced from various employers, including:
- Private households
- Organizations directly hiring full-time caregivers for short-term or occasional support
- Home health care service providers
- Home care support service providers
- Direct care agencies
- Personal care services in residential settings
- Pediatric home health care providers
Note: Recruitment or placement agencies are not eligible to provide the job offer.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants interested in advancing their careers in Canada’s home care sector will be eligible to apply if they:
- Achieve a minimum language proficiency of level 4 in English or French (CLB/NCLC)
- Hold the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma (or higher)
- Possess at least 6 months of recent and relevant work experience or have completed a related caregiver training credential
- Have a confirmed offer for a full-time home care position
A Labour Market Impact Assessment is not required for this program. The full eligibility criteria will be updated on our website before the pilots officially open.
Prepare to Apply
Detailed application guidelines will be released in the coming months. In the meantime, start gathering the necessary documents and information that will likely be required. Whether you’re currently working in Canada or applying from abroad, preparation is key.
A Legacy of Support
Canada’s commitment to home care is reflected in previous initiatives such as:
- The Home Child Care Provider Pilot
- The Home Support Worker Pilot
- The Interim Pathway for Caregivers Program
- The Caring for Children Pilot
- The Caring for People with High Medical Needs Pilot
- The Live-in Caregiver Program
These programs have successfully brought skilled home care workers to Canada, significantly enhancing care services across the country.
Stay tuned for further updates as the launch date approaches (Coming March 31, 2025), and get ready to join a program that values and supports the essential contributions of home care professionals across Canada.
