On February 26, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) unveiled details about two new immigration pilot programs for home care workers. Initially announced in June 2024, these programs aim to facilitate permanent residency (PR) for qualified foreign workers in the home care sector. The pilots are set to officially launch on March 31, 2025.
These new initiatives address Canada’s growing need for home care services while recognizing the critical role of caregivers who assist children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. A key feature of these new pilots is that eligible applicants will receive permanent residency upon arrival, marking a major simplification compared to previous immigration pathways. The programs are divided into two streams: one for workers already in Canada and another for candidates abroad, though only the domestic stream will open initially.
Language Proficiency: Minimum CLB/NCLC 4 in English or French.
Education: At least a high school diploma (or equivalent).
Work Experience or Training: At least 6 months of recent relevant experience or a minimum 6-month training program in home care.
Full-time Job Offer: Must have a valid full-time job offer in home care (outside Quebec).
Simplified Process: No Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is required, and PR is granted immediately without a prior work permit.
These changes aim to streamline the immigration process, reduce administrative burdens, and provide a faster, more stable pathway for home care workers.
For qualified foreign workers, these pilots represent a significant opportunity. The lower language and education requirements expand access to a broader pool of applicants. Most notably, the immediate permanent residency removes the previous requirement of accumulating Canadian work experience before applying for PR. This change accelerates settlement and allows newcomers to bring their families from the outset.
With Canada’s aging population and increasing demand for home care, these programs offer strong job prospects. The government estimates over 15,000 home care workers will be admitted as permanent residents from 2024 to 2026. Additionally, workers with precarious legal status in Canada may be eligible under a special provision, providing a path to regularization.
Overall, these changes offer job security, family stability, and a direct path to integration, making them one of the most attractive immigration pathways in recent years. Take a free assessment with AskAïa to see if you qualify for Express Entry and explore your best immigration options.
For Canadian home care providers (private households, care agencies, nursing homes), these pilots create new hiring opportunities and help address staffing shortages. Key advantages include:
No LMIA requirement: Employers can hire foreign workers without undergoing the lengthy LMIA process.
Broader candidate pool: More applicants will be available, including workers already in Canada and, in the future, those applying from abroad.
Higher worker retention: Since employees gain PR immediately, they are more likely to remain in their positions long-term, reducing turnover.
Flexibility in employment structure: Workers can be employed directly by organizations rather than solely by private households, optimizing workforce allocation.
Despite these benefits, some challenges remain. Initially, only candidates already in Canada can apply, limiting immediate international recruitment. Additionally, employers must provide full-time positions, which may be difficult in a sector with many part-time care arrangements.
These pilots build on Canada’s past initiatives for caregivers while addressing their shortcomings:
Permanent Residency Upon Arrival: Previously, caregivers had to work 24 months in Canada before applying for PR; now, PR is granted immediately.
Reduced Requirements: Earlier programs required CLB/NCLC 5 and post-secondary education; now, CLB/NCLC 4 and high school diploma are sufficient.
No LMIA Requirement: Past programs mandated an LMIA; these new pilots eliminate that hurdle.
Higher Intake Capacity: Past programs were capped at 2,750 applications per year, while the new plan aims to admit 15,000 home care workers from 2024 to 2026.
Clearer Employer Framework: Unlike older models that required live-in arrangements, the new pilots allow workers to be employed by agencies and organizations, increasing flexibility.
These improvements make the 2025 pilots the most streamlined and accessible home care immigration programs Canada has introduced to date.
The February 26, 2025, announcement marks a significant shift in Canada’s approach to home care worker immigration. For foreign workers, it offers a faster, more accessible PR pathway with immediate job opportunities. For employers, it simplifies hiring while ensuring a stable workforce. These pilots reflect Canada’s commitment to supporting essential workers and strengthening the home care sector, benefiting both immigrants and the Canadian economy.
Not sure if you qualify for these new programs? If you’re considering applying through Express Entry in 2025, ensure you follow the correct registration process. Learn how to successfully complete your Express Entry application with this Immigration Canada 2025 step-by-step guide.