Canada to Launch New Permanent Residence Pathways for Home Care Workers

Canada has announced an exciting opportunity for home care workers seeking permanent residence. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has revealed that the new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots will officially launch on March 31, 2025. These new pathways will replace the previous caregiver immigration programs that expired in 2024.

Home care workers who qualify for these programs will now have the chance to receive permanent residence (PR) upon arrival, providing a streamlined process for those seeking to settle in Canada.

Eligibility for the New Home Care Worker Pathways

To apply through the new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Language Proficiency: Achieve a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4.
• Education: Hold the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma.
• Work Experience: Have recent and relevant work experience in caregiving.
• Job Offer: Secure a full-time job offer in a home care position.

Note: Under the previous programs, candidates required only six months of eligible work experience to qualify for permanent residence. Additional details about the eligibility criteria for the new pilots are expected to be announced by IRCC soon.

Background: A History of Caregiver Immigration Pathways

The introduction of the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots marks a continuation of Canada’s commitment to caregivers. These new pilots were first announced on June 3, 2024, following the closure of the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot on June 17, 2024.

Over the years, Canada has offered several specialized pathways for caregivers, including:

• Live-in Caregiver Program (closed in 2014)
• Caring for Children Pilot (closed in 2019)
• Caring for People with High Medical Needs Pilot (closed in 2019)
• Interim Pathway for Caregivers (closed in 2019)
• Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot (closed in 2024)

The launch of the new pilots will bring much-needed stability and opportunities for home care workers after a temporary pause in caregiver-specific immigration pathways.

How Many Spots Are Available?

In its 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, IRCC has allocated 10,920 admissions spots under “Federal Economic Pilots,” which include the new caregiver pathways. These spots will be shared across several programs, including:

• The new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots
• The Agri-Food Pilot
• Community Immigration Pilots
• The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot

While the specific allocation for the caregiver pathways is not yet confirmed, these programs are expected to play a significant role in meeting Canada’s immigration targets.

What’s Next?

As the launch date approaches, IRCC is expected to release further details about the application process, eligibility requirements, and how these pathways will support home care workers in Canada.

If you’re a caregiver looking to build a future in Canada, this could be your opportunity to achieve permanent residence and contribute to the growing demand for skilled home care professionals.

Stay tuned for updates, and start preparing your documents to ensure you meet the requirements for these exciting new pathways!

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