Last Updated:June 27, 2025
The application quota for 2025 was filled on the first day of online submissions, and applications are now closed.
What is the Home Care Worker Pilot?
Home Care Workers are employed in private households to care for children, the elderly, or persons with disabilities, and to assist with household chores.
The Home Care Worker Pilot is a limited-time, trial immigration program that replaces the previous caregiver programs.
Two Categories of the Home Care Worker Pilot
Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Child Care
Requires a job offer as a Home Child Care Provider (NOC 44100), excluding work in facilities, daycare centers, or foster care settings.
Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Home Support
Requires a job offer as a Home Support Worker, Caregiver, or related occupation (NOC 44101), excluding work in institutional settings such as senior care facilities.
Two Streams of the Home Care Worker Pilot
Each category under the Home Care Worker Pilot has two streams depending on the applicant’s situation.
Workers in Canada Stream
As of the program start date on March 31, 2025, only this stream is expected to be open for applications.
Applicants Not Working in Canada Stream
The application opening date for this stream has not yet been announced.
Application Quotas for 2025
From 10:00 a.m. (EST) on March 31, 2025, to March 30, 2026, each stream has a set number of application spots. Please note that once the quotas are filled, applications will no longer be accepted.
Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Child Care
| Category | Online Applications | Paper Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Workers in Canada (Those legally working in Canada) |
2,350 | 125 |
| Out-of-status and unauthorized workers (Those working illegally in Canada) |
260 | 15 |
Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Home Support
| Category | Online Applications | Paper Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Workers in Canada (Those legally working in Canada) |
2,350 | 125 |
| Out-of-status and unauthorized workers (Those working illegally in Canada) |
260 | 15 |
Applicant Requirements for the Home Care Worker Pilot
Work Experience
Must be 18 years or older and have at least 6 months of continuous full-time work experience within the 3 years prior to application, either inside or outside Canada.
Work experience during study periods, self-employment, or freelance work is not eligible.
- Child Care
- Home Child Care Providers (NOC 44100) — foster care experience not eligible
- Early Childhood Educators and Assistants (NOC 42202) — experience as Early Childhood Educator, Day Care Teacher, or Supervisor not eligible
- Home Support
- Home Support Workers, Caregivers and Related Occupations (NOC 44101)
- Nurse Aides, Orderlies and Patient Service Associates (NOC 33102)
If the above work experience is not met: completion of related training that meets the following conditions
- Must be 17 or older and have completed at least 6 months of full-time, in-person training within 2 years prior to application (medical or online programs are not eligible)
- If completed outside Canada, education must be assessed with an ECA
Eligible training includes:
- Child Care
- Program for NOC 44100
- Program for NOC 42202 — Early Childhood Educator, Day Care Teacher, and Supervisor training is not eligible
- Home Support
- Program for NOC 44101
- Program for NOC 33102
Language Proficiency
Applicants must score CLB 4 or higher on an IRCC-approved English or French test taken within 2 years of application. For details, click here.
| Test | Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB4 | IELTS | English | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| CELPIP | English | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
| PTE Core | English | 33-41 | 41-50 | 28-38 | 42-50 | |
| TEF Test date on or after Dec 11, 2023 |
French | 306–351 | 268–329 | 306–351 | 328–386 | |
| TEF Test date between Oct 1, 2019 and Dec 10, 2023 |
French | 300–349 | 300–349 | 300–349 | 300–349 | |
| TCF | French | 342–374 | 4–5 | 331–368 | 4–5 |
Education
- Equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma or higher
- Foreign education must be assessed via an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
Job Offer
Applicants must have a full-time job offer as a Home Care Worker from outside the province of Quebec, meeting one of the following criteria:
- The job must be located in Canada but outside Quebec
- The wage must meet or exceed the regional median according to Job Bank
- For Child Care: the job must be one of the following
- Home Child Care Providers (NOC 44100) — facility work or foster care excluded
- For Home Support: the job must be one of the following
- Home Support Workers, Caregivers and Related Occupations (NOC 44101) — work in institutional settings excluded
Province of Intended Residence
Applicants must intend to live and work in a province or territory other than Quebec.
Other
- Applicants may be temporarily outside Canada (e.g., on vacation) at the time of application, but should normally reside in Canada
- Must hold a valid work permit and be authorized to work full-time (Maintained Status is acceptable). Work under visitor or student permits is not eligible.
Employer Requirements for the Home Care Worker Pilot
- Must have a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number
- Must be able to meet wage payment and employment condition obligations
- Must comply with immigration laws, federal, and provincial regulations
- Must not be the applicant’s spouse, common-law partner, parent, grandparent, or child
- Must demonstrate a genuine need to employ the applicant
- Must be a private household, business, or nonprofit organization that meets the following conditions:
- Has a direct employment relationship with the worker: responsible for hiring, managing working conditions, and paying wages
- Has provided the same type of service for more than one year
- Includes organizations that directly employ full-time workers to provide temporary or short-term home care to semi-independent individuals or those recovering from injury or illness:
– Home health service providers
– Home care support service providers
– Direct care providers
– Personal care services in residential settings
– Pediatric home health service providers, etc.
Application Process for the Home Care Worker Pilot
Applications must be submitted online through the PR Portal. To prepare, applicants should take an English or French language test and aim for a CLB/NCLC score of 4 or higher. If the applicant completed their education outside Canada, they should also confirm the process for obtaining an ECA (Educational Credential Assessment) and prepare the required documents in advance.
01Obtain a Job Offer
Secure a job offer from a Canadian employer.
02Prepare Required Documents
Gather documents such as language test scores, educational assessments, and other proof of eligibility.
03Submit PR Application to IRCC
Submit your application for permanent residence to IRCC through the PR Portal.
04Respond to Additional Requests from IRCC
If IRCC requests additional documents, complete biometrics and a medical exam as instructed.
05IRCC Application Review
Once your application is approved, follow instructions to upload a photo and update your information for your PR card.
06Receive PR Card
Your PR card will be delivered to the designated address in Canada within a few months.
Impact on Applicants of the Previous Caregiver Classes
Applications that were accepted before June 17, 2024, will continue to be processed. If you are in the “Gaining Experience Category” and have acquired sufficient work experience to meet the requirements, please submit the supporting documents to IRCC.
For Home Care Workers Without Legal Status in Canada
Under certain public policies, individuals without legal status in Canada may be eligible to apply with restrictions (subject to quota limits).
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