by Canada’s Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot programs was launched about few months ago, there are some key updates you need to know before applying, there are some changes in the application process. Know how to increase your chances of getting accepted because is not everyone can apply for Canada Home Care Worker, you must be eligible to apply. So, if you’re a caregiver looking to work and immigrate to Canada, this is the ultimate guide you’ve been waiting for.
Canada Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot Programs
Canada Home Care Worker program is designed to help address the increasing demand for caregivers in Canada, while also providing a pathway to permanent residency for those who qualify. The program consists of two main components:
- Home Child Care Pilot
- Home Support Worker Pilot
Those are the two main components. These two pilots allow caregivers to come to Canada and work in the Home Child Care or Home Support roles, ultimately offering the chance to apply for permanent residence. So it is important to know that this program is aimed at workers who have specific caregiving experience. If you are a caregiver, this could be the opportunity you’ve been looking for to build a future in Canada.
The overall program also operates under two main streams, which are:
- Workers in Canada stream
This is for those who are already in Canada working temporarily, either in caregiving or another role. If you’ve been employed in Canada before and have caregiving experience, this could be a pathway to permanent residence. So you would be applying under the Workers in Canada stream.
- The second stream is applicants not working in Canada stream
This is for individuals who are outside of Canada, but want to apply to come, to work as caregivers. You need to meet the eligibility requirements, and we’re going to be discussing those as we progress, just like those applying to the Canadian worker stream.
You both need to meet the eligibility requirements. But the key difference is the applicants not working in Canada stream. Those are the people that will be applying from abroad.
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Key Updates and Current Stream States
These are key updates of the program so far, especially if you’re looking to apply in 2025. The 2025 intake for online applications is now full, as reported, but don’t panic just yet, there’s still an opportunity to apply through an alternate format, which we are going to be discussing as we progress. So even though the online slots are filled, you won’t miss out, if you apply via an alternate process.
Though the application fees is something that you also have to take note of. The application fee for the program starts from around 1,500 Canadian dollars. Keep that in mind when planning your application, as this fee is non-refundable. Budget for this amount, as well as any other associated costs like document translation or medical exams.
Stream Status for 2025
As stated above, there are two main streams. For the home child care stream, the online application for 2025 is currently full. But there is still the alternate option available.
Then for the home support stream, just like the child care stream, the online application or the online intake is also full.
Canada Home Care Worker (Caregiver) Program Application
Who can apply (process and requirements)
To apply for the home caregiver program there are specific eligibility requirements for both streams.
- Caregiver Experience/Skill
You need experience in caregiving. So whether you’re applying under the workers stream or the applicants not working in Canada stream, you need to have experience in caregiving. This could be as a home child care worker or home support worker. Relevant work experience is crucial to qualify for the program.
- Language Skills
The other thing is language skills. You need to demonstrate proficiency in either English or French. Those are the two main languages in Canada. So, the required language test is either the IELTS for English or the TEF for French. You need to meet the minimum score, which is CLB 4 for the test to be considered eligible for the program.
- Education Requirement
For education requirements, you need at least a high school diploma. Additionally, if you’ve worked as a caregiver before, you likely need a certification or some training in the caregiving field to strengthen your application.
- Supporting Documents
Other supporting documents like proof of work experience, language test results, educational credentials and others.
Make sure documents are ready before you apply to avoid any delays. One thing you should take note of is that, once the application process or the stream opens for the workers in Canada, it got filled very fast. It’s just a little over a week and the online intake is already full. Make sure you are prepared to have your documents ready.
Application Process
The application process and requirements in detail:
To apply for permanent residence to this program, you must submit your application online. But if that’s not possible, because the online intake full very fast, then use alternate format, is most likely the paper-based application.
How do you Apply Canada Home Care Worker Using the Alternate Format?
There are a couple of things that you need to do. You need to send a request to IRCC. In that request, you have to include your full name, the name of the program or the pilot that you want to apply for, the format you are requesting.
So you request for paper or you can also request for large print, your preferred language that’s either English or French, and then you would also specify how you’d like to receive the application by email or by regular mail. They’re going to send you the application package.
So once IRCC sends you the application package, they also add instructions on where and how to submit it. Very important note here is that, you must request and submit the alternate format application before the annual intake cap is filled for your stream. So even for the alternate format, there is a cap.
There is an intake cap. So if that intake cap is full and you send a request to get the application package, you might not receive it because you’d be too late. That is why it’s very important for you to take advantage of this stream as early as possible. Because the alternate format, the request does not guarantee priority and they are still subject to intake limits. So just keep that in mind.
Key Requirements for Canada Home Care Worker Program
Let’s break down the key requirements of this program:
You should have a job offer from a Canadian employer before you can apply for any of these programs.
The job offer must align with one of the National Occupational Classification as the NOC of the pilots. For the child care, the pilot program, the NOC is 44100 and you must make sure that you check that NOC code and make sure that it tallies with the job offer.
Also, for the home support, it’s 44101. Currently there are specific requirements for that job offer as well. First of all, the job must be full time and continuous, meaning at least 30 hours of paid work per week with permanent employment. So, no set end date, it shouldn’t be more like a contract with an end date.
It should not be in an institutional setting like a daycare for child care providers or a nursing home for home support workers. It should also be a genuine offer, meaning that the employer has a real need to hire you, can fulfill the terms of the job, including paying you and follows the rules and regulations of IRCC and both federal and provincial laws. There are also specific requirements regarding the wage.
Still on job offer, if your employer is a business or a non-profit organization, they must have been providing the same type of care services for at least one year before the job offer was made. There are some very key requirements here:
The employer must also have a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number and maintain a direct employer employee relationship, meaning they are directly responsible for hiring you for managing work conditions and paying your wages. Those are requirements from IRCC.
Ineligible Employers
Let’s look at what doesn’t count as an eligible employer, because not everybody can count as an eligible employer under this program.
- The employer cannot be a recruitment or placement agency
If it is a recruitment or a placement agency that’s giving you the job offer that you’re going to be using to apply for this home care integration program, think twice about it. Because the requirement from IRCC says that the employer cannot be a recruitment or placement agency.
- The employer cannot also be an embassy, a high commission or a consulate or a person accredited to these missions in Canada, for example, a diplomat.
- The employer cannot be an employer found noncompliant with the program.
- An employer cannot also be yourself. You cannot say that you are self-employed, you’re employing yourself, no.
- The employer cannot also be your spouse, your common law partner, your parents, your grandparents or child. That would also disqualify that person from being recognized as your employer.
Work Experience
You must have at least six months of relevant continuous work experience either within or outside Canada. In one of the National Occupational Classification, that’s the NOC of the pilot you are applying for. The work experience must also meet certain requirements.
The work experience must be continuous, at least six months without breaks and can include a reasonable vacation period. It must be full time, at least 30 hours per week. It must be gained within the three years before applying and authorized if gained in Canada.
What that means is that, some work experience may not count. For example, experience gained as a full-time student, self-employed work or unemployment periods or long-term sickness or parental leave.
If you’re a student that has a limitation on your visa in Canada and that limitation is that you cannot work and you actually work, you cannot use that work experience, is unauthorized. You cannot use that to apply for this program. That’s what it means by authorized work experience if gained in Canada.
For education, as already mentioned above, the minimum requirement is the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma, which must also be duly evaluated. Canada has listed some agencies that it recognizes with regards to the evaluation of qualifications. One of them is the World Education Services (WES). There are many others.
So, you may want to explore which one you’d like to use, but definitely get those qualifications evaluated.
Proof of Funds, Biometric & Medicals
Proof of Funds
For applicants under the applicants not working in Canada stream, proof of funds is required. Currently, the required amount for a single applicant is about $14,690 because you’d be applying for PR. That’s requirement of proof of funds. For two family members, the amount goes up almost doubles to about $18,000.
So just make sure you are aware of all of this when you apply, because you would need to show proof of those funds.
For the applicants not working in Canada, that stream is not open yet. As reported, the government says that this is going to be opened at a later date. For the applicants and the workers in Canada stream, they do not need proof of funds as they are already employed in Canada.
Biometrics and Medicals
Biometrics, that’s your fingerprints and photographs, are mandatory for most applicants. You’d also need to complete a medical examination to ensure you are medically admissible to Canada.
There are also specific requirements for the employers, but we are not going to delve into those in detail. But just know that after receiving your application, IRCC may send you a letter requesting your employer to provide extra proof to confirm that the job is genuine and that the employer is actually eligible.
Your employer will receive detailed instructions on how to submit this information, make sure that whatever you’re submitting is on point.
Some common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Applying under the wrong stream
One of the more confusing aspects of the application process is choosing the right stream. If you’re already working in Canada, applying under the applicants not working in Canada stream can cause a delay or rejection of your application. Similarly, if you are applying from outside Canada, are you accidentally apply under the workers in Canada stream. It can also lead to issues.
To avoid this, double check which stream applies to your situation and ensure that you meet the criteria for the stream you’re applying under. It’s very important.
- Documentation Issues
Make sure that all your documents are in order. That’s one of the big mistakes that many people make. Don’t be in a hurry. Make sure all your documents is ready on time. Make sure everything is in order before submitting application because missing or incorrectly submitted or file documents are leading cause of delays.
There are many people that have to resend documents to RCC, and that causes a huge delay in their application. So be sure to have everything set before you apply.
- Genuineness of Employers
The RCC is very strict about the genuineness of employers who offer jobs to caregivers. So, if you’re applying under any of these streams, RCC may verify that your job offer is genuine. This means that the employer must actually exist.
If somebody is offering you a shortcut, don’t take it, because RCC is going to verify that the employer exists. They have the capacity to hire you and will be able to provide the work as stated in your application.
They may also contact the employer directly to verify the details of their job and ensure it aligns with the requirements of the program. They may even decide to visit the site of the employer, so just be careful.
To avoid any complications, make sure the job offer you’re submitting is legitimate. Double check that all job details, including salary and responsibilities, are accurate and in line with Canadian labor laws. Any inconsistencies in your job offer could lead to delays or worse. The refusal of your application.
Some Frequently Asked Questions about Canada Home Care Worker (Caregiver) Program.
- Can I apply, if I don’t have any caregiving experience?
Answer: A simple answer is, unfortunately, no. You need to have relevant work experience in caregiving, either as a home child care worker or a home support worker to be able to apply.
- How long does the process take?
Answer: The processing times can vary. It generally takes about several months. The more complete and accurate your application is, the faster it will be processed. If you have so many things that are missing in the application and IRCC has to get back to you about, it’s just going to delay the application. But it’s going to take some months. It’s not going to be the same for everybody. There’s no specific timeline to that.
- What if I miss the online application intake?
Answer: As explained above, if you miss the online application intake, e..g for 2025, you can still apply through the alternate format, don’t give up. Just make sure that you apply through the alternate format before the cap is full. Because there is a cap on the alternate format as well.
- Can my spouse and dependents come with me?
Answer: Yes, your spouse and dependent children can accompany you to Canada as principal applicants, you can include your family members in your application. If you’re approved for PR under the Home Caregiver Program, your spouse and dependents can also be granted permanent residency. So be sure to include the necessary documentation to prove your relationship with them when submitting your application.
- How do I find jobs or employers in Canada?
Answer: There are no specific guidelines that the government has given yet. However, there are many people that have said they’ve been able to find employers or connect with employers through Indeed, through Glassdoor and other websites.
Am not really recommending any website, and the reason is because there are scam jobs everywhere. There used to be some credible websites, but even those websites now have scam jobs. So, if you’re looking for jobs on any of the platforms, you just have to be on high alert.
Also, I’ll be doing my own research to find some credible websites where people not in Canada can search for the employers and get the job offers. When I do, I’m sharing them with you everything you need to know about Canada’s new home care worker immigration pilots.
Make sure you apply on time. Alternate application format is still open. But if that changes, you will be informed too.
