The Workers in Canada Stream of Canada’s Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots: Opening March 31, 2025

Canada’s Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWIP) provide skilled workers in child care and home support sectors a unique opportunity to apply for permanent residency. The Workers in Canada stream, specifically designed for individuals already living and working in Canada, will officially open on March 31, 2025, at 10 a.m. ET.

If you're a caregiver working in Canada and meet the eligibility criteria, this stream could be the pathway to permanent residency in Canada. Below, we'll break down the eligibility requirements, application process, and the steps you need to take when the program opens.

Key Eligibility Criteria for the Workers in Canada Stream

To apply for the Workers in Canada stream under the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. Already Living in Canada

• You must be physically residing in Canada. While you can be outside of Canada at the time of applying (e.g., on vacation), you need to prove that you normally reside in Canada.

2. Authorized to Work Full-Time in Canada

• You must have authorization to work full-time in Canada in any occupation (non-seasonal job). This can be through:

  • A valid work permit.

  • Maintained status (if your work permit has expired but you are still authorized to work).

  • Public policies that grant work authorization.

    
    

3. Work Experience or Training

• Depending on which stream you apply to (Child Care or Home Support), you will need specific work experience or training related to the National Occupational Classifications (NOCs).

HCWIP: Child Care includes:

• Home child care providers (NOC 44100)

• Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202)

HCWIP: Home Support includes:

• Home support workers, caregivers, and related occupations (NOC 44101)

• Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates (NOC 33102)

You must have either:

• 6 months of continuous, full-time, and relevant work experience within the last 3 years OR

• 6 months of relevant training (post-secondary level, full-time, at least 15 hours per week, completed within the last 2 years).

4. Get a Genuine Job Offer

• You need a genuine job offer from an eligible employer outside Quebec. The job offer must be full-time (at least 30 hours per wek), permanent (no end date), and match the NOC of the pilot you are applying for.

• A genuine job offer means:

  • there’s a real need to hire you.

  • the employer can fulfil the terms of the job, including paying you.

  • the employer follows all the rules and laws set by

  • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

  • federal and provincial legislation

  • your wage must be equal to or higher than the Job Bank’s median wage for the occupation listed on your job offer in the province or territory of employment.

  • If there is no provincial or territorial median wage, use the national one.

  • If the employer’s workers have a union, the rules of the collective agreement apply.

    
    

• Child Care Pilot: 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 Support Pilot: Home support workers (NOC 44101). The location can’t be an institutional setting such as a nursing home.

• Your employer must be either a private household or a business that directly hires employees for home care or support roles.

• The job offer must include your hourly wage, employment requirements and a description of the main duties.

5. Employer Eligibility

• Your employer must meet specific requirements, including being compliant with all federal and provincial labor laws and offering a wage that meets or exceeds the Job Bank’s median wage for your role.

• The employer must have a Canada Revenue Agency business number and be either a private household or a business (or non-profit organization) that has a direct employer-employee relationship, meaning the employer is directly responsible for:

  
  

  o   hiring the employee

  o   managing work conditions

  o   paying the employee

  
  

• This includes organizations that directly hire full-time workers to provide short-term or occasional home care for those who are semi-independent or recovering from an injury or illness, for example:

  
  

  o   home health care service providers

  o   home care support service providers

  o   direct care agencies

  o   personal care services in residential settings

  o   pediatric home health care service providers

How to Apply for the Workers in Canada Stream

The Workers in Canada stream will officially open on March 31, 2025, at 10 a.m. ET.

Here’s a detailed guide on how to apply:

1. Prepare Your Documents:

   • Ensure you have all necessary documents ready, including proof of your current work authorization, work experience or training, and your job offer details.

   • Your employer will need to complete and sign an Employment Information Form. This form verifies your job offer and ensures it meets the program's requirements.

     
     

2. Submit Your Application Online:

   • The application process for the HCWIP will be conducted online. Once the program opens, visit the official immigration website for the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots here.

   • On the application portal, you will need to upload your Employment Information Form, your job offer, and all necessary supporting documents.

     
     

3. Employer's Role:

   • If your employer is a private household, they will need to complete and submit the Individual Employers (IMM 0267) form.

   • If your employer is a business or non-profit, they must complete and submit the Business Employers (IMM 0268) form.

   • These forms must be signed by the employer and uploaded along with your application.

     
     

4. Pay Fees:

   • You will be required to pay the appropriate application fees when submitting your application. Make sure to check the fee structure on the official immigration website once the program opens.

     
     

5. Wait for Processing:

   • After submitting your application, it will be reviewed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). If you meet all the eligibility criteria, you will be issued an invitation to apply for permanent residency once your work experience is validated.

     
     

6. Provide Additional Information (if requested):

   • In some cases, IRCC may request additional proof from your employer to confirm the genuineness of the job offer or eligibility of the employer. Follow the instructions provided if this happens.

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What Happens After You Apply?

Once your application is submitted and processed, you will receive a decision. If your application is successful, you will be granted permanent residency in Canada. This allows you to live and work in Canada indefinitely, with the ability to bring your family members along.

Conclusion

The Workers in Canada stream of Canada’s Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots is a fantastic opportunity for skilled caregivers to transition to permanent residency in Canada. Whether you're a home child care provider or a home support worker, the program offers a straightforward pathway to building a stable future in Canada.

The program will officially open on March 31, 2025, at 10 a.m. ET, so ensure that you have your documents and job offer ready. This is your chance to contribute to Canada’s caregiving sector while securing a brighter future for yourself and your family.

For full details on how to apply, visit the official application page.