07/27/2025
The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot (HCWIP) is an excellent opportunity for home child care providers and home support workers to immigrate to Canada and achieve permanent residency. The program aims to address Canada’s growing demand for home care workers while offering a direct pathway to Canadian PR.
There are two pilots:
Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Child Care
Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Home Support
Each pilot has two application streams:
Workers in Canada (for those already living and working in Canada)
Applicants not working in Canada – this stream is currently closed and will reopen at a later date. March 31, 2027
Important Update: The HCWIP will open on March 31, 2026, at 10:00 AM EST. This program is capped, meaning there are limited spots available. If you’re planning to apply, it’s crucial to be fully prepared in advance to secure your place before the intake limit is reached.
Eligibility Criteria for the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot
To qualify for the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot, you must meet several requirements set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Here’s what you need:
1. Language Requirement
You must take an English or French language test and achieve at least CLB/NCLC 4 in all four skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
2. Education Requirement
You must have at least the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma.
If you studied outside Canada, you need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to verify your education.
3. Work Experience or Training
You must have at least 6 months of continuous, full-time work experience (within the last 3 years) OR relevant training credentials (completed in the previous 2 years) in a qualifying occupation.
HCWIP: Child Care
Home child care providers (NOC 44100)
Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202)
Please review the details, as some jobs under this NOC aren’t eligible.
HCWIP: Home Support
Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations (NOC 44101)
Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (NOC 33102)
4. Job Offer Requirements
To apply, you must have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer in the following NOC:
Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Child Care
Home child care providers (NOC 44100)
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.
IMPORTANT: Although work experience and training in these NOCs may be eligible, IRCC won’t accept job offers for:
early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202)
nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (NOC 33102)
The job must be:
✅ Full-time (30+ hours per week)
✅ Permanent (no end date)
✅ In a private home (not a daycare or nursing home) or a business (such as home health care service providers)
✅ Paid at or above the provincial median wage
Employers must:
Have a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number
Be providing care services for at least 1 year
Not a placement agency, embassy, or family member
March 31, 2026 – Be Ready for the Limited Intake
The HCWIP opens on March 31, 2026, at 10 AM EST. This program has limited spots (2750 per stream) and once the cap is reached, no more applications will be accepted.
There will be 150 spots reserved for out-of-status workers.
💡 Why You Need to Prepare in Advance:
The demand for home care worker positions is high.
In previous years, similar programs reached capacity quickly.
Delays in gathering documents (ECA, language test, job offer) can jeopardize your application.
If you’re interested in applying, start preparing now to ensure you don’t miss out on this immigration opportunity.
How to Apply for the HCWIP
Confirm your eligibility (language, education, work experience, and job offer).
Secure a job offer from a qualified employer.
Take a language test (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF).
Get your educational credentials assessed (ECA) if needed.
Ensure your documents and forms are ready before the submission date.
Submit your application as soon as the program opens on March 31, 2026, at 10 AM EST.
