Calling all Caregivers -immigrate through the new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots
Canada is taking a significant step in addressing the growing demand for home care workers by introducing the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWIP). This new immigration pathway is specifically designed to help qualified home child care providers and home support workers gain permanent residency in Canada, contributing to a critical sector that supports families and vulnerable populations across the country.
Summary of the eligibility requirements:
1. Streams:
Workers in Canada Stream: For foreign home care workers already in Canada (opens March 31, 2025). You must have a valid work permit or maintained status.
Applicants Not Working in Canada Stream: For home care workers applying from outside Canada (more details coming soon).
2. Language Requirements:
You need to demonstrate at least CLB 4 in English or NCLC 4 in French in all language skills (writing, reading, listening, speaking).
3. Education Requirements:
You must have a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent. If your education was outside Canada, you need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
4. Work Experience or Training:
Work Experience: At least 6 months of full-time, continuous work (30 hours/week) within the last 3 years. Experience must match the required job categories (child care or home support).
Training: If you don’t have work experience, you can qualify with relevant post-secondary training. The training must be in-person, full-time, and completed in the last 2 years.
5. Job Offer:
You need a full-time, permanent job offer from a qualified employer (e.g., a home care service provider).
The job must meet the labor needs in Canada and cannot be self-employed or from a family member.
Detailed Breakdown of HCWIP Stream Eligibility
There are two distinct streams under the HCWIP: Workers in Canada and Applicants Not Working in Canada.
1. Workers in Canada Stream (Opens March 31, 2025)
This stream is aimed at foreign home care workers who are already living in Canada. These programs are expected to fill up quickly.
You must already reside in Canada.
If you are physically outside Canada when applying (e.g., on vacation), you must demonstrate that your primary residence is in Canada.
You must be authorized to work full-time in Canada. This can be through:
A valid work permit,
Maintained status (if your work permit has expired but you are still working under the same terms), or
Public policies (temporary programs that allow workers to remain employed in Canada).
What doesn’t count as eligible work authorization:
Applicants who no longer have a valid work permit.
Individuals working in seasonal occupations (this is a non-seasonal job requirement for eligibility).
Applicants who have lost their work authorization will not be eligible under this stream.
2. Applicants Not Working in Canada Stream (Opening at a later date)
This stream will be available for foreign home care workers who are applying from outside Canada. More details are expected to be released closer to the opening date.
Applicants must prove that they have enough settlement funds to support themselves and their family (if applicable) when they arrive in Canada.
Proof of funds is required to ensure that the applicant can support themselves while they search for a job and settle in Canada.
The specific amount of funds will vary depending on the size of the applicant's family and can be verified through official government guidelines.
Language Requirements
The language requirement is a critical component of the HCWIP, ensuring that applicants can successfully integrate into Canadian society and the workforce.
English or French language proficiency is assessed through Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) for English or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) for French.
Applicants must demonstrate a minimum CLB Level 4 in all four language skills (writing, reading, listening, and speaking).
Education Requirements
Applicants must have completed an education that is equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma or higher. If you completed your education outside of Canada, you must get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to determine if your qualifications meet Canadian standards.
Work Experience or Training Requirements
Whether you are applying under the Child Care or Home Support stream of the HCWIP, you must demonstrate a specific level of work experience OR training to be eligible for permanent residency. Below are the detailed requirements for each category:
Work Experience
To qualify for the HCWIP, you must have at least 6 months of continuous, full-time (30 hours) work experience, gained either within or outside Canada, within the last three years.
This experience must meet the following conditions:
1. Work Experience Must Be Relevant
Your experience must be in one of the following National Occupational Classifications (NOCs) for the pilot you are applying for:
HCWIP: Child Care
Home child care providers (NOC 44100)
Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202)
Note: Experience as a foster parent does not count.
HCWIP: Home Support
Home support workers, caregivers, and related occupations (NOC 44101)
Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates (NOC 33102)
Note: Experience in NOC 33102, if gained in institutional settings (e.g., long-term care), may be eligible.
2. Work Experience Must Be Continuous
Your experience must be continuous, meaning you need to have worked at least 6 months in a row.
A short break, such as 2 weeks of paid vacation within 52 weeks, is allowed.
If you changed jobs, there should be no gaps between them.
3. Work Experience Must Be Full-Time
You need to have worked at least 30 hours per week.
If you had multiple part-time jobs, they must add up to at least 30 hours per week for 6 months in a row.
4. What Doesn’t Count as Work Experience
The following do not count as work experience:
Work as a full-time student.
Work as a self-employed person.
Periods of unemployment, long-term sickness, or parental leave.
Training
You can also meet the eligibility requirements through training. To count, the training must meet these conditions:
1. Training Must Be Relevant to the NOCs
The training must be related to the following National Occupational Classifications (NOCs):
HCWIP: Child Care
Home child care providers (NOC 44100)
Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202)
Important: Training for day care teachers, supervisors, or early childhood educators is not eligible.
HCWIP: Home Support
Home support workers, caregivers, and related occupations (NOC 44101)
Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates (NOC 33102)
2. Training Must Be Post-Secondary Level
The training must be post-secondary (e.g., college or university).
It must have been full-time—at least 15 hours of training per week.
3. Training Must Be In-Person
The training must have been conducted mainly in-person.
Online-only training does not count, unless it was part of a program with significant in-person instruction.
4. Training Requirements
The training must have started when you were 17 or older and been completed within the 2 years before you apply.
If the training was outside Canada, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is not required, unless it’s also being used to meet the education requirement.
5. What Doesn’t Count as Training
The following do not count as training:
Training for other occupations (e.g., medical training).
Mainly online training.
On-the-job training.
Job Offer Requirements
The job offer is a central component of this immigration pilot program. The offer must meet specific guidelines to be considered valid:
From a private household or an organization that directly hires full-time workers to provide short-term or occasional care
Home health care service providers;
Home care support service providers;
Direct care agencies;
Personal care services in residential settings; or
Pediatric home health care service providers.
The job must be full-time (at least 30 hours per week) and permanent (with no set end date).
The offer must be for a genuine job that meets the labor needs in Canada.
The job must be in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) of the pilot you apply for:
Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Child Care
Home child care providers (NOC 44100)
The location can’t be an institutional setting such as a daycare.
A job as a foster parent doesn’t count.
Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Home Support
Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations (NOC 44101)
The location can’t be an institutional setting such as a nursing home.
· Job offers for the below are not eligible:
§ early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202)
§ nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (NOC 33102)
What doesn’t count as an eligible employer?
The employer can’t be
a recruitment or placement agency
an embassy, a high commission or a consulate, or a person accredited to these missions in Canada (for example, a diplomat)
an employer found non-compliant
yourself (self-employed)
your spouse, common-law partner, parent, grandparent or child
Employer Requirements:
Employers must have a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number and have been operating for at least one year.
The job must be full-time, with an hourly wage that matches or exceeds the Job Bank’s median wage for the occupation in the province.
Conclusion
The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWIP) present an exciting opportunity for individuals with experience in home child care and home support work to immigrate to Canada.. Whether you are currently working in Canada or applying from abroad, HCWIP provides a clear pathway to permanent residency for those ready to make a difference in the lives of Canadians.
The Workers in Canada stream opens on March 31, 2025, so be sure to prepare your application well in advance. Keep an eye on updates for the Applicants Not Working in Canada stream, and take this opportunity to start your new life in Canada!
About the Author: Lauren Shannan is a Senior Immigration Consultant with over 10 years of experience helping foreign nationals navigate their journey in Canada. With her extensive knowledge of immigration processes and policies, Lauren provides valuable insights to those looking to make Canada their new home.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For personalized advice, please consult with a licensed immigration professional.