Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots: Intake Paused (What to Do Instead)

On December 19, 2025, IRCC announced that it was pausing new application intake for the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots until further notice, so it could focus on the large number of applications already received. It also confirmed the pilots would not reopen in March 2026, as many caregivers had expected.

If you already applied, the pause does not stop your application. In 2026, IRCC also listed the caregiver pilots among the programs whose pending applications it is accelerating under the In-Canada Workers Initiative, with no action needed from applicants.

Watch the IRCC notice and our Canada status page for any reopening.

There are two pilots:

• Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Child Care, for home child care providers (for example, nannies).
• Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Home Support, for home support workers who care for older adults or people with disabilities in private homes.

They replaced the earlier Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilots. A key feature of the new pilots is that approved workers get permanent residence when they arrive in Canada, instead of first working on a temporary permit.

When they opened for workers in Canada on March 31, 2025, each pilot had a cap of 2,750 applications, and both caps were reached the same day.

For the 2025 intake, applicants generally needed:

• A full-time job offer for a home care job in Canada, outside Quebec.
• Language skills of at least CLB 4.
• A Canadian high school diploma or a foreign equivalent, with an Educational Credential Assessment if foreign.
• Recent, relevant work experience (6 months for the in-Canada stream).

If the pilots reopen, IRCC may change these rules. Check the IRCC caregivers page before preparing an application.

• Keep your work permit valid. Apply to extend before it expires; see extend your status and maintained status.
• Reply quickly to IRCC requests for documents, medical exams, or biometrics.
• If you change employers, check whether you need a new work permit first.

Caregivers can be vulnerable to exploitation. If your employer is abusing you, you may qualify for a vulnerable worker open work permit.

Many home support workers also have nursing or personal support training. Check whether your experience fits a healthcare occupation.

Because demand is high and intake is paused, fake "caregiver visa" offers are common. No one can submit a new application under these pilots while intake is paused. Never pay for a caregiver job offer. See scam protection and how to verify a lawyer or consultant.