Canada recognizes the crucial role caregivers play in supporting families, children, seniors, and persons with disabilities. To meet this demand — and offer clearer immigration pathways for those dedicated to this work — the federal government introduced new caregiver programs known as the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWP) on March 31, 2025.

These pilots streamline eligibility and provide a more accessible route to permanent residence for qualified newcomers and their families. At Change of Phase Consulting Group, we guide both caregivers and employers through this updated pathway.

1. Why the Change?

The previous caregiver programs required multiple years of Canadian work experience to be eligible for permanent residence. The new HCWP lowers that threshold, offering a faster, fairer route to settlement — addressing Canada’s growing care needs and creating meaningful opportunities for skilled caregivers.

2. Overview of the Two Pilot Streams

There are two related streams under the HCWP:

• Home Child Care Provider Pilot — for individuals providing care to children under 18 in a home-based setting.
• Home Support Worker Pilot — for those supporting seniors or persons with disabilities within home environments.

Each pilot includes multiple intake streams:

• Workers in Canada stream — launched March 31, 2025, for applicants already living and authorized to work in Canada.
• Applicants not working in the Canada stream — expected to open at a later date.

3. Key Eligibility Requirements (2025 Intake)

Applicants must:

• Plan to live and work outside Quebec.
• Have a valid full-time job offer from a Canadian employer in the home-care sector.
• Hold an education equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma or higher.
• Meet language proficiency requirements (CLB 4 in English or French).
• Demonstrate at least six months of relevant full-time work experience in caregiving (or six months of eligible training).

These updates significantly reduce the barriers compared with the former caregiver programs.

4. Application Process Snapshot

Step 1: Confirm your eligibility — ensure you have a valid job offer, meet the required education and language levels, and can demonstrate at least six months of relevant work experience or training in the caregiving field.

Step 2: Submit your application online through the Permanent Residence (PR) Portal when the intake stream is open.

The first intake for applicants with work experience in Canada opened on March 31, 2025.

Step 3: Applicants who met all eligibility requirements should have already submitted their PR application through the PR Portal for the March 31, 2025, intake.

Those who meet the requirements after that date can apply in the next intake, scheduled to open on March 31, 2026.

Once applications are received, the Government of Canada will review eligibility, verify documentation, and assess all criteria before approving permanent residence.

Step 4: Future intakes will continue annually.

The government has also confirmed that streams for applicants with at least six months of relevant work experience outside Canada will open in 2027 and 2028, expanding opportunities for internationally experienced caregivers to apply directly for permanent residence through the PR Portal.

5. Benefits for Caregivers & Employers

For Caregivers:

• A more straightforward, faster pathway to Canadian permanent residence with only six months of relevant work or training.
• The ability to bring eligible dependents.
• More manageable eligibility while working in meaningful roles.

For Employers:

• Access to skilled caregivers in sectors with labor shortages (child care, home support).
• Enhanced retention and stability when workers have realistic settlement pathways.

For Communities:

• Strengthened home-care sectors, better support for families and seniors, and increased community integration.

6. How Change of Phase Consulting Group Can Assist

Our team supports both caregivers and Canadian employers through the HCWP process by:

• Assessing caregiver eligibility (work/training, language, education).
• Guiding employers to draft compliant job offers and implement supportive integration plans.
• Preparing documentation and verifying work/training experience.
• Connecting newcomers with settlement resources and community support once in Canada.

We are committed to making your caregiver immigration journey smooth and transparent — because strong care reflects strong communities.

Final Thoughts

Canada’s Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots, launched March 31, 2025, mark a new chapter in caregiver immigration — making the process more accessible, equitable, and responsive to the needs of Canadian families.

With new intake rounds scheduled for March 2026, and additional pathways opening for applicants outside Canada in 2027 and 2028, now is the ideal time to prepare.

If you’re a caregiver seeking a stable future in Canada, or an employer looking for a dedicated caregiver, Change of Phase Consulting Group is here to guide you every step of the way.

Contact Us

To learn more about Canada’s Home Support Worker and Home Child Care Provider Pilots (via the HCWP), or to begin your application process with expert guidance, visit our Contact Us page. The team at Change of Phase Consulting Group is ready to support you.