Canada Pauses March 2026 Home Care Worker Pilot Applications
Date Posted:December 21, 2025
Last Updated:December 21, 2025
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December 19, 2025 — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that it will pause the application intake for the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots until further notice. This decision is part of the Government of Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan. Government of Canada
Why Is the Intake Being Paused?
The Home Care Worker Immigration pilots were launched to provide a permanent residence pathway for home care workers who support seniors, children, and people with disabilities in Canada. These pilots have attracted strong interest and a high volume of applications since opening.
According to IRCC, demand for the pilots continues to exceed available spaces, resulting in longer processing times. In order to prioritize the review and processing of existing applications, IRCC has decided to temporarily halt new application submissions. Government of Canada
As a result, the pilots’ intake will not re-open in March 2026 as previously expected. IRCC will continue to process the applications already received in accordance with the Immigration Levels Plan.
Related Article
For a detailed overview of Canada’s immigration targets for the next three years, see: Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan 2026–2028 Explained
What This Means for Applicants
- New applications cannot be submitted at this time.
- Submitted applications will continue to be processed.
- IRCC will provide future updates if and when the program re-opens.
This pause may be disappointing for prospective applicants who were planning to use this pilot as a route to permanent residence. However, there are still alternative immigration pathways such as:
- Express Entry programs (e.g., Federal Skilled Worker and healthcare-specific draws)
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
- Temporary work permits leading to permanent residence routes
These options may be preferable depending on an applicant’s individual circumstances and qualifications.
Stay Informed
Visa JP Canada continues to monitor updates from IRCC and will share any important developments regarding the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots or other immigration pathways. If you have questions about eligibility or want assistance in planning your Canadian immigration strategy, contact our team for support.
This article is a summary prepared by Visa JP Canada based on the official announcement from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), organized for clarity and ease of understanding.
Source: Pausing Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots application intake (English)
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