The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot is Canada’s current caregiver-to-PR pathway, introduced in March 2025 to replace earlier caregiver programs. It offers permanent residence to individuals currently working in Canada in eligible caregiver roles. The program has two streams: the Home Care Worker – Child Care stream for those working in childcare settings, and the Home Care Worker – Home Support stream for those working in home-based personal support, disability support, or elderly care.
Intake opened March 31, 2025, with 2,350 online applications available per stream. Given the limited intake capacity relative to the number of caregivers working in Canada, spots fill quickly and applicants must be prepared to apply immediately when the intake opens. Caregiver immigration has historically been one of the more complex program categories — VGIS provides detailed assistance ensuring eligibility criteria are met and documentation is complete before intake opens.
📋 Quick Facts
- Government Fee: $1,525 principal applicant (incl. RPRF); $1,525 spouse; $260 per dependent child
- Biometrics: $85 individual / $170 family
- Processing Time: 12–18 months (estimated for 2025 pilot cohort)
- RCIC-IRB Representation: Available — Dimple Verma R708308
Eligibility Requirements
- Two streams: Home Care Worker – Child Care and Home Care Worker – Home Support
- Must be currently working in Canada in an eligible caregiver role with valid work authorization
- Child Care stream: ECE certification or 1 year of relevant childcare work experience
- Home Support stream: 1 year of work experience in personal support, home support, or disability support
- Language: CLB 5 minimum in all four abilities
- Intake opened March 31, 2025 with limited spots (2,350 online applications per stream)
Stream Eligibility Requirements
Both streams share a common core requirement: the applicant must currently be working in Canada in an eligible caregiver role with valid work authorisation (an LMIA-based work permit, LMIA-exempt work permit, or open work permit). Applications from individuals not currently working in a qualifying role in Canada are not accepted.
- Child Care stream — Early childhood educator (ECE) certification, or a minimum 1 year of paid childcare work experience in a qualifying NOC (e.g., NOC 42202, early childhood educators and assistants). CLB 5 minimum in all four language abilities.
- Home Support stream — Minimum 1 year of paid work experience in personal support, home support, or disability support roles (qualifying NOC such as NOC 42201, home health aides and home support workers). CLB 5 minimum in all four abilities.
Language must be demonstrated through an approved test: IELTS, CELPIP, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada. Test results must be less than two years old.
Application Process and Fees
The application process is conducted through IRCC’s online portal. Applicants must be ready to submit at the moment intake opens, as spots are limited. Pre-preparing all documents before intake is essential — caregivers who have not gathered their reference letters, language results, and other documents before intake opens risk losing their spot while assembling materials.
Government fees are $1,525 for the principal applicant (including $575 RPRF), $1,525 for a spouse, and $260 per dependent child; biometrics $85/$170. Processing time is estimated at 12–18 months for the 2025 pilot cohort.
- Valid Canadian work permit and proof of current employment in qualifying caregiver role
- Employment reference letters showing caregiver work (role, duties, hours, employer details)
- Language test results at CLB 5+
- ECE certification (Child Care stream) or equivalent work experience letters
- Police clearance certificates
- Medical examination from designated physician
Book a paid consultation with VGIS for caregiver-specific preparation and intake readiness planning, guided by Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308.
Fees & Costs
| Fee Component | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Government Fee | $1,525 principal applicant (incl. RPRF); $1,525 spouse; $260 per dependent child |
| Biometrics | $85 individual / $170 family |
Fees current as of 2026. IRCC may update fees periodically — confirm on the official source link below before paying.
Key Documents Required
- Valid Canadian work permit and proof of current employment
- Employment reference letters showing caregiver work
- Language test results (CLB 5+)
- Educational Credential Assessment or ECE certification
- Police clearance certificates
- Medical examination
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for the Home Care Worker Pilot if I am not currently in Canada?
No. The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot requires that applicants be currently working in Canada in an eligible caregiver role with valid work authorisation. Caregivers outside Canada cannot apply directly. They would need to first come to Canada on a valid caregiver work permit and gain the required work experience before applying.
What happens if I miss the intake window?
If the intake closes before you apply, you would need to wait for the next intake window, which IRCC announces periodically for pilot programs. There is no waitlist. In the interim, maintaining your valid work permit status and continuing to accumulate caregiver experience is important. VGIS can advise on maintaining status and preparing for the next intake opportunity.
Does the program allow me to include my family members?
Yes. Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children under 22 can be included in the application as accompanying family members. They do not need to be caregivers themselves. Including family members requires their medical examinations, police clearances, and biometrics, and adds to the government fee total.
Do I need an LMIA work permit to be eligible?
Not necessarily. The program requires that you be working in Canada with valid work authorisation — this can be an LMIA-based employer-specific permit, an LMIA-exempt permit, or an open work permit (such as a spousal open work permit), as long as you are actually employed in a qualifying caregiver role. The key is that your employment must be legal (authorised) and in the eligible caregiver NOC.
Official Government Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/caregivers/home-care-worker.html
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Disclaimer: This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration laws and IRCC policies change frequently. For advice specific to your case, please book a paid consultation with our licensed RCIC-IRB. VG Immigration Services Inc. — Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308.