Canada Home Care PR Opens

Canada’s Home Care PR Opens March 31st

Are you ready to turn your caregiving skills into a permanent home in Canada? The new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWIP) are set to open on March 31, 2025.

These pilots offer a direct path to permanent residence and are perfect for those eager to live and work in Canada—outside Quebec—while meeting a critical demand for home care professionals.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know: who qualifies, how to secure a job offer, and how to nail your application.

Whether you’re already in Canada or planning your move, let’s get started on your Canadian dream!

What Are the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots?

Canada’s HCWIP is a strategic immigration program launched by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to address the growing need for in-home caregivers.

It comprises two pilots:

1. HCWIP: Child Care—Targets workers providing in-home child care, such as nannies (NOC 44100).
2. HCWIP: Home Support—Focuses on caregivers for the elderly, disabled, or those needing home assistance (NOC 44101).

Each pilot features two application streams:

• • Workers in Canada (opens March 31, 2025).
  • Applicants Not Working in Canada (date TBD).

For 2025, only the Workers in Canada stream will accept applications, with annual caps resetting on March 31, 2026.

• This guide zeroes in on this stream, ensuring you’re fully prepared when the portal opens.

Application Caps Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots

The total of 5,500 applications aligns with the previous caregiver pilots (Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot), which also capped at 5,500 annually across both streams before closing on June 17, 2024.

Cap Reset: If the caps are reached before March 30, 2026, they will reset on March 31, 2026, allowing a new intake cycle.

Application Caps for HCWIP: Child Care (Total 2,750)

• • Workers in Canada Stream:
    • Online Applications: 2,350
    • Alternate Format Applications (e.g., paper, braille, large print): 260

• Out-of-Status and Unauthorized Workers (Public Policy):
  • Online Applications: 125
  • Alternate Format Applications: 15

Application Caps for HCWIP: Home Support (Total 2,750)

• • Workers in Canada Stream:
    • Online Applications: 2,350
    • Alternate Format Applications: 260

• Out-of-Status and Unauthorized Workers (Public Policy):
  • Online Applications: 125
  • Alternate Format Applications: 15

Workers in Canada Stream: Full Detailed Eligibility

Opening on March 31, 2025, this stream targets individuals already in Canada. Here’s what you need:

Residency Requirement

• You must normally reside in Canada when applying on a valid permit.
• Temporary absences (e.g., a vacation abroad) are okay if you can prove Canada is your home base.

Work Authorization

You must be authorized to work full-time (30+ hours/week) in Canada via:

• A valid work permit (non-seasonal job).
• Maintained status (e.g., after permit expiry while awaiting renewal).
• Public policies (e.g., temporary measures for certain workers).

What Doesn’t Count?

• Working without a permit.
• Employment as a business visitor.
• Work experience on a study permit.

Out-of-Status Option

If you’ve lost status or worked without authorization, a public policy may still make you eligible (see details in later part of this page).

Language Proficiency: How to Prove It

Language skills are non-negotiable. You need CLB/NCLC Level 4 in English or French. Here’s how to get there:

Test	Language	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
IELTS General Training	English	4.0	4.5	5.0	4.0
CELPIP General	English	4	4	4	4
TEF Canada	French	181–216	271–324	181–216	271–324
TCF Canada	French	375–405	4–5	375–405	4–5

Canada Home Care PR Opens
Steps to Take

1. Schedule: Book with an approved agency (e.g., CELPIP.ca, IELTS.org).
2. Pay: Fees range from $150–$300, depending on the test.
3. Submit: Include results (less than 2 years old) in your application.
4. Keep Copies: Retain your report for records.

Pro Tip: Test slots fill up fast near deadlines. Book now to avoid delays!

Education Requirements: Get Your ECA

A Canadian high school equivalent is the minimum education threshold and if you completed your study outside Canada, then here’s how to prove it:

What’s an ECA?

An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) verifies that your foreign diploma matches Canadian standards. It’s mandatory if your education was completed outside Canada.

Approved Organizations-Choose one:

• • World Education Services (WES) – Designated April 17, 2013.
  • International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) – April 17, 2013.
  • Comparative Education Service (CES) – April 17, 2013.
  • International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) – August 6, 2015.

• International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) – August 6, 2015.

How to Get an ECA

1. Select: Visit the organization’s website (e.g., wes.org).
2. Apply: Request an “ECA for immigration purposes.”
3. Submit: Provide diplomas, transcripts, and fees ($200–$300).
4. Wait: Processing takes 4–12 weeks.
5. Receive: Get a report confirming equivalency.

Requirements

• The report must state your credential equals a Canadian high school diploma or higher.
• Issued within the last 5 years of application.
• From a designated organization post-2013.

Ineligibility

You’re out if your ECA shows:

• A diploma from an unrecognized institution.
• Incomplete studies.

Work Experience or Training: Show Your Skills

You need 6 months of relevant experience OR a 6-month training credential. Here’s the breakdown:

Work Experience

• • Duration: 6 continuous months (30+ hours/week) within the last 3 years.
  • Occupations:
    • HCWIP: Child Care:
      • NOC 44100 (Home Child Care Providers)—Nannies, not foster parents.
    • HCWIP: Home Support:
      • NOC 44101 (Home Support Workers)—Caregivers, not institutional roles.

• Rules:
  • Matches NOC duties (e.g., child care or personal support).
  • Gained after age 18.
  • Full-time, authorized (if in Canada).
  • No breaks between jobs.
  • Excludes self-employment, student work, or unemployment.

Training

• • Duration: 6 months, full-time (15+ hours/week).
  • Level: Post-secondary, mostly in-person.
  • Occupations: Same NOCs as above.
  • Rules:
    • Completed within 2 years before applying.
    • Started after age 17.
    • No online-only or on-the-job training.

Mixing It Up

Have both? Submit proof of each to strengthen your case!

Out-of-Status Workers In Canada: A Second Chance

If you’re in Canada without legal status, a public policy offers hope:

Eligibility

• Presence: In Canada when applying.
• Entry: Legally entered by December 16, 2021, and stayed continuously.
• Work Permit: Held one previously (even if expired).
• Family: Include overstaying relatives.

Ineligibility

• • Entered after December 16, 2021.

• Made a refugee claim.
• Under a removal order.
• On a study permit only.

How to Apply

Use the “Public Policy” subcategory in the PR Portal (e.g., “HCWIP: Child Care – Workers in Canada – Public Policy”).
Canada Home Care PR Opens

Securing a Job Offer for the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots

To apply for the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWIP), you’ll need a legitimate job offer as either a home child care provider or a home support worker.

This is a critical step in your journey to permanent residency in Canada, and it comes with specific conditions.

Employer Responsibilities

Your prospective employer should verify if there are any extra hiring requirements tied to the HCWIP program.

It’s their job to ensure compliance with the pilot’s rules before offering you a position.

Your Readiness

You should be prepared to accept the job and capable of carrying out its responsibilities.

Immigration officials will evaluate your suitability by reviewing your previous training and work history to confirm you’re a good fit.

Job Offer Specifications

The position must align with the pilot you’re applying for and meet these criteria:

• • Occupational Classification:
    • HCWIP: Child Care:
      • Home Child Care Providers (NOC 44100) – This applies to in-home roles only, not institutional settings like daycares. Note that foster parent positions are excluded.
    • HCWIP: Home Support:
      • Home Support Workers, Caregivers, and Related Occupations (NOC 44101) – This covers home-based care, not institutional environments like nursing homes.
      • Job offers for Early Childhood Educators and Assistants (NOC 42202) or Nurse Aides, Orderlies, and Patient Service Associates (NOC 33102) are not accepted, even if related experience or training is eligible.

• Location: The job must be in Canada, excluding Quebec, as the province has its own immigration pathways.
• Work Terms:
  • Full-time, requiring a minimum of 30 paid hours per week.
  • Permanent, with no predetermined end date.

What Makes a Job Offer Valid?

No labour market impact assessment or LMIA, is needed. A genuine job offer must include:

• • Your hourly pay rate, job requirements, and a clear outline of primary responsibilities.
  • Evidence of authenticity, such as:
    • A real need for your employment.
    • The employer’s ability to meet the job’s terms, including paying your salary.
    • Compliance with regulations from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), as well as federal and provincial laws.

• Wage Standards:
  • Your pay must meet or exceed the median wage for your occupation on Canada’s Job Bank for the province or territory where you’ll work. If no regional median exists, the national median applies.
  • If the workplace is unionized, the collective agreement’s wage rules take precedence.

Employer Eligibility

Your employer must:

• • Have operated in the same care sector (child care or home support) for at least one year if they’re a business or non-profit.
  • Hold a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number.
  • Be one of the following:
    • A private household hiring directly.
    • A business or non-profit with a direct employer-employee relationship, meaning they handle hiring, oversee work conditions, and issue your paycheck.

Eligible employers can include organizations offering full-time, short-term, or occasional care for individuals who are semi-independent or recovering from illness or injury.

Examples include:

• Home health care services.
• Home support providers.
• Direct care agencies.
• Residential personal care services.
• Pediatric home care providers.

Who Cannot Be Your Employer?

The following are not eligible:

• • Recruitment or placement agencies.
  • Embassies, high commissions, consulates, or their accredited staff (e.g., diplomats)

• Employers previously found non-compliant with IRCC rules.
• Yourself (if self-employed).
• Immediate family members, such as your spouse, common-law partner, parents, grandparents, or children.

Required Employer Documentation

Your employer must fill out and sign an employment information form, which you’ll submit with your application. Choose the appropriate form based on their status:

• Private Households: Use the Individual Employers form (IMM 0267).
• Businesses or Non-Profits: Use the Business Employers form (IMM 0268).

The form requires a signature—either digital or handwritten—and must be uploaded alongside your job offer in the online application portal.

Canada Home Care PR Opens.

Full Guide To Apply for the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots

Start now to avoid the rush. Double-check everything, and apply as soon as the portal opens on March 31, 2025, at 10 a.m. ET.

Good luck on your journey to Canadian permanent residency!

Applying for the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWIP) requires careful preparation and attention to detail.

Whether you’re applying under the Workers in Canada stream or the public policy for out-of-status workers, here’s your step-by-step guide to success.

Prepare Before the Pilots Launch

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will start accepting applications on March 31, 2025, at 10 a.m. Eastern Time (ET).

The pilots will close as soon as caps are reached and they’ll reset on March 31, 2026, opening a new intake cycle.

As the caps may quickly fill up, it’s advisable to start preparing now. Here’s what to do:

• • Set up your online account.

• Gather required forms and documents.
• Arrange payment of fees. Follow the steps below to streamline your preparation and avoid last-minute stress.

Step 1: Set Up Your Account or Log In

Applications must be submitted online via the Permanent Residence (PR) Portal.

Create an account or sign in when the portal opens on March 31, 2025.

Once logged into the PR Portal, choose the “Economic” program category, then pick the specific pilot and subcategory:

• • Workers in Canada Stream:
    • HCWIP: Child Care – Workers in Canada
    • HCWIP: Home Support – Workers in Canada

• Out-of-Status and Unauthorized Workers (Public Policy):
  • HCWIP: Child Care – Workers in Canada – Public Policy
  • HCWIP: Home Support – Workers in Canada – Public Policy

Make sure you select the right option—choosing incorrectly could lead to rejection. Categories remain available until the cap is hit.

Step 3: Prepare Your Forms and Documents

Use the correct document checklist based on your stream:

• Workers in Canada Stream: Document Checklist – Workers in Canada Stream (IMM 0270).
• Out-of-Status and Unauthorized Workers: Document Checklist – Workers in Canada – Public Policy (IMM 0273).

Completing Forms

• • Fill out every section. Write “Not Applicable” or “NA” if a section doesn’t apply.

• Need more space? Attach an extra page labeled with the relevant section and upload it.
• Missing signatures or incomplete forms will result in your application being returned unprocessed.

Missing Documents?

If you can’t provide a required document:

• Include a written explanation for each missing item.
• Attach supporting evidence (e.g., a letter proving why it’s unavailable).
• Upload these under the requested “document type” in the portal. IRCC will decide if your application is still acceptable.

All The Forms You Need To Complete in the Portal

These digital forms are filled out online for you and any family members 18+:

• • Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008): Includes family members like your spouse, common-law partner, dependent children, or dependent grandchildren.

• Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669): Details your history.
• Supplementary Information – Your Travels (IMM 5562): Lists your travel history.
• Additional Family Information (IMM 5406): Provides family details. Review PDF versions beforehand to gather necessary info, but submit only via the portal.

PDF Forms to Upload (No Signature Required)

• • Workers in Canada Stream:
    • Document Checklist (IMM 0270).
    • Schedule 21: Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (IMM 0271).
  • Public Policy Stream:
    • Document Checklist (IMM 0273)
    • Schedule 21 (IMM 0271)
    • Schedule 22: Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot – Public Policy (IMM 0272)

Signed PDF Forms to Upload

• Employment Information Form:
  • Individual Employer (IMM 0267) for a family/households
  • Business Employer (IMM 0268) for businesses/non-profits
• Optional Signed Forms (if applicable):
  • Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union (IMM 5409)
  • Separation Declaration for Minors Travelling to Canada (IMM 5604)
  • Additional Dependants/Declaration (IMM 0008 DEP) – for paper apps with 5+ dependants

Additional Documents

Check your checklist for specifics, but common uploads include:

• • Job offer, proof of training, legal entry proof, and work authorization (upload as “Other”).

• One photo per family member (under 12 months old), meeting IRCC specs.

Translation Requirements

Non-English/French documents need:

• Original copy.
• Certified copy (signed/stamped by translator).
• Translated version.
• An affidavit (unless the translator is certified).
• Eligible translators: Certified professionals or fluent individuals (not family or representatives).

Sharing Information

To release application details to someone else, upload a signed Authority to Release Personal Information (IMM 5475).

Technical Help

• Combine multiple images into one file if needed.
• For issues, use the IRCC web form: Select your problem, enter “1111111111” (no UCI) or “0000000” (no application number), describe the issue, and attach screenshots.

Step 4: Pay Your Fees

Fees start at $1,525, covering:

• Processing Fees: For you and immigrating family members.
• Right of Permanent Residence Fee: Due before approval.
• Biometrics Fee: For fingerprints/photos (delays occur if unpaid).
• Third-Party Costs: Medical exams, police certificates, ECA, language tests.

Pay online before March 31, 2025, at IRCC’s payment page. Download and upload the PDF receipt. If caps fill before you apply, request a refund.

Note: Employers cannot charge you recruitment fees—know your rights as a temporary worker.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Before hitting submit, verify:

• All questions are answered.
• Forms are signed and uploaded.
• Fee receipt is included.
• All supporting documents are attached.

Incomplete applications will be rejected, requiring resubmission before the cap is reached.

You may reuse your fee receipt if unchanged. After submission, IRCC might request additional employer documents—follow their instructions promptly.

The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots are your gateway to permanent residency in Canada, opening March 31, 2025.

With clear eligibility rules, a solid job offer, and a complete application, you’re on your way to a rewarding career and a new life. Start preparing today—your future in Canada awaits!

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Canada Home Care PR Opens.

GFK Immigration
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Phone: +1 (647) 225-0092

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