New permanent residence pathways for home care workers to open in March

Canada has announced the launch of two new permanent residence pathways for home care workers. The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots, set to open on March 31, 2025, will replace previous caregiver programs that recently expired. These new immigration pilots will allow eligible home care workers to secure permanent residence upon arrival in Canada, streamlining the process for those seeking long-term employment in the sector.

To qualify for the new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots, candidates must meet several requirements. They must:

• demonstrate a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of at least 4 in either English or French and hold the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma.
• Applicants must also have recent and relevant experience as a caregiver and secure a full-time job offer in a home care role.

Under the previous caregiver immigration programs, only six months of relevant work experience were required for permanent residence eligibility as of June 16, 2024. Details about whether this rule will apply to the new pilots will become clearer in the coming months.

The introduction of the new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots follows the closure of previous caregiver immigration pathways. On June 17, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada officially shut down the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot, leaving a temporary gap in caregiver-specific immigration programs. Historically, Canada has introduced several caregiver immigration pathways, including the Live-in Caregiver Program, which closed in 2014, the Caring for Children Pilot and the Caring for People with High Medical Needs Pilot, both of which closed in 2019, the Interim Pathway for Caregivers Program, which also closed in 2019, and the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot, which ended in 2024.

Canada’s 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan has allocated 10,920 spots for newcomers under Federal Economic Pilots, which include the caregiver programs. However, these spots will also be shared among other pilot programs, including the Agri-Food Pilot, community immigration pilots and the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot. The specific number of spots reserved for home care workers under the new pilots has yet to be confirmed.

While full details on the application process have not yet been released, the announcement marks a significant step for home care workers seeking permanent residence in Canada. Prospective applicants who meet the basic eligibility criteria are encouraged to prepare in advance for the March 31, 2025, launch. Further details, including processing timelines and additional requirements, are expected in the coming months. Those interested can stay informed by checking official updates from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada as the launch date approaches.