Two Pathways to Permanent Residence

Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot Program (Child Care) and Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot Program (Home Support)

For many years, Canada relied on programs like the Live-In Caregiver Program (LCP), which initially aimed to address labour shortages in childcare and elder care but unfortunately led to systemic vulnerabilities. Caregivers were often tied to their employers and lived in their workplaces, leading to concerns of exploitation, underpayment, and lack of labour mobility.

In 2019, recognizing these issues, the government launched the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot. These pilots introduced improvements: they allowed family accompaniment, better protections, and clearer PR pathways. But challenges remained.

On March 31, 2025, Canada launched the new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots. The initiative is divided into two streams: For applicants already in Canada and for applicants abroad was intended to be launched in 2027 but was put on hold at the end of September 2025. 

The changes are intended to simplify the process for both applicants and employers, with clear eligibility rules and intake limits. The programs allow qualified caregivers and their family members to become permanent residents.

Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots:

  1. Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot Program (Child Care – NOC 44100), and
  2. Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot Program (Home Support – NOC 44101)

Each class has a five-year period and admits up to 2,750 principal applicants per year. The programs, consist of two parties: Eligible foreign national and eligible Canadian employer.

Foreign National – General Eligibility Criteria

  1. Language: Minimum CLB 4 in all four abilities in either French or English, taken within the last 2 years
  2. Education: Minimum high school equivalency proven with ECA
  3. Have enough relevant qualifying work experience: Training or experience
  4. Plan to live and work outside Quebec
  5. Genuine Offer of Employment from a single employer in Canada or a business
  6. Be admissible to Canada

The Canadian Employer – General Eligibility Criteria

Employers must:

  1. demonstrate a genuine need to hire a caregiver
  2. be able to pay the required wages
  3. the job offer must be permanent and meet immigration requirements
  4. must have a CRA number
  5. other requirements depending on if the employer is a private household or a business apply

These programs took effect on March 31, 2025, and they are valid until March 30, 2030, unless earlier revoked by the Minister. https://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2025/2025-03-22/html/notice-avis-eng.html#na2

The process and document requirements can be complex and may lead to confusion, challenges, or uncertainty. If you find yourself in such a situation, we are here to assist.  Do not risk your application, seek professional guidance. The process begins with accurately completing  our online questionnaire to establish if you qualify under these programs or any other immigration category.