Foreign nationals seeking to immigrate to Canada as home care workers can now find complete details about these programs.
The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot (HCWP) has now been officially divided into two distinct programs:
- Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Child Care
- Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Home Support
Each of these programs includes two application streams:
- Workers in Canada Stream
- Applicants not working in Canada Stream
The Workers in Canada Stream for both pilot programs will begin accepting applications from 10 AM EDT on March 31, 2025, until March 30, 2026, or until the application cap is reached. Details for the Applicants not working in Canada Stream will be announced later.
Key Updates for the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot (HCWP)
This article provides the latest updates regarding the HCWP, including:
- An overview of the eligibility requirements for each stream
- A list of occupations covered under these programs
- Professional education and training criteria for candidates
- The types of job offers that qualify and employer eligibility conditions
- Important considerations for in-Canada applicants, including out-of-status workers
- Required settlement funds for applicants outside Canada
- Application fees
Summary of Eligibility Requirements
The table below outlines the key eligibility criteria for both HCWP programs:
| Eligibility Requirement | HCWP Child Care | HCWP Home Support |
|---|---|---|
| Status in Canada (For Workers in Canada Stream) | Must have valid work authorization (exceptions for certain out-of-status workers) | Must have valid work authorization (exceptions for certain out-of-status workers) |
| Language Requirement | CLB 4 | CLB 4 |
| Education | Secondary school diploma or equivalent | Secondary school diploma or equivalent |
| Work Experience | Minimum 6 months as: – Home child care provider – Early childhood educator/assistant | Minimum 6 months as: – Home support worker/caregiver – Nurse aide/orderly/patient service associate |
| Professional Training (If lacking relevant work experience) | Completion of a relevant credential lasting at least six months | Completion of a relevant credential lasting at least six months |
| Settlement Funds (For Applicants not working in Canada Stream) | Must demonstrate sufficient settlement funds based on family size | Must demonstrate sufficient settlement funds based on family size |
Eligible Occupations for HCWP
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has defined specific occupations for the HCWP, categorized into two streams: Child Care and Home Support.
HCWP: Child Care
- Home Child Care Providers (NOC 44100) – Includes nannies, babysitters, and parents’ helpers. (Experience as a foster parent is not eligible.)
- Early Childhood Educators and Assistants (NOC 42202) – However, work experience as a daycare teacher, supervisor, or early childhood educator does not count toward eligibility.
HCWP: Home Support
- Home Support Workers, Caregivers, and Related Occupations (NOC 44101)
- Nurse Aides, Orderlies, and Patient Service Associates (NOC 33102) (Experience in institutional settings such as long-term care facilities may be eligible.)
Work experience must not:
- Have been gained as a full-time student
- Have been acquired through self-employment
Professional Training Requirements
Applicants who do not meet the work experience criteria may qualify through professional training instead. The required educational credential must:
- Be related to one of the eligible National Occupational Classifications (NOCs)
- Be at the post-secondary level
- Be completed in a full-time program (minimum 15 hours per week)
- Be offered primarily in-person rather than online
- Be completed within two years prior to applying
- Be obtained after the applicant turned 17 years old
Additionally, training completed under one stream cannot be used to qualify for the other (i.e., a credential for the Home Support pilot cannot be used to apply for the Child Care pilot).
Ineligible Education Credentials
Educational credentials will not be considered if:
- The program was not targeted toward an eligible occupation
- The coursework was completed primarily online
- The training was part of on-the-job learning
Job Offer Requirements Under HCWP
To be eligible, job offers must:
- Be for a full-time, permanent position (30+ hours per week)
- Be in an eligible NOC and work setting
- Be located in Canada (excluding Quebec)
- Clearly state wages, job duties, and employment conditions
IRCC will assess whether applicants are likely to perform the job duties based on their work experience and training.
Employer Eligibility
Only certain employers can issue valid job offers under the HCWP, including:
- Private households hiring caregivers directly
- Businesses or non-profits that directly employ home care workers
Examples of eligible organizations include:
- Home healthcare service providers
- Home care support agencies
- Direct care agencies
- Personal care services for residential settings
Ineligible Employers
The following employers cannot issue HCWP job offers:
- Recruitment or placement agencies
- Embassies, consulates, or diplomats in Canada
- Employers found non-compliant with program regulations
- The applicant’s own business (self-employment)
- The applicant’s family members (spouse, parent, grandparent, or child)
Requirements for Workers in Canada and Out-of-Status Applicants
Workers in Canada
To apply under this stream, foreign nationals must:
- Be residing in Canada
- Have legal work authorization (e.g., a valid work permit, maintained status, or authorization under a public policy)
Applicants physically outside Canada at the time of applying must prove they usually reside in Canada.
Note: Work done as a business visitor or while on a study permit does not count toward eligibility.
Out-of-Status Workers
A portion of program spots (140 per stream) is allocated to out-of-status workers under a new regularization policy.
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be in Canada at the time of application
- Have entered Canada on or before December 16, 2021, and continuously resided there
- Have held a work permit at some point after December 16, 2021
- Not be inadmissible for reasons other than:
- Overstaying a temporary status
- Working or studying without authorization
- Having an out-of-status family member
Applicants are not eligible if they:
- Have made a refugee claim
- Are subject to a removal order
- Are currently in Canada on a study permit
Out-of-status workers can include their family members in their permanent residency application.
Settlement Funds for Applicants Not Working in Canada
Applicants in the Applicants not working in Canada Stream must provide proof of settlement funds, based on family size:
| Family Members | Required Funds (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $14,690 |
| 2 | $18,288 |
| 3 | $22,483 |
| 4 | $27,297 |
| 5 | $30,690 |
| 6 | $34,917 |
| 7 | $38,875 |
| For each additional member | + $3,958 |
Application Fees for HCWP
| Fee Type | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Processing Fees | $1,525 |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee | $575 |
| Biometrics | $85 (individual) / $170 (family) |
| Other Possible Costs | Medical exams, police certificates, language tests, etc. |
Important: Under Canadian immigration law, employers cannot charge recruitment fees to applicants.
