The demand for permanent residency in Canada has surged in recent years, solidifying the country’s reputation as a top destination for skilled workers, international students, and families. In 2022, Canada set a new record by admitting over 437,000 permanent residents, surpassing the previous high of 405,000 in 2021, according to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This sharp rise is driven by Canada’s aging population and labor shortages across key sectors, prompting policymakers to adopt more ambitious immigration targets. By 2025, Canada aims to welcome 500,000 newcomers annually—a bold move to address demographic challenges and boost economic growth.
Amid Canada’s expanding immigration goals, the country is set to introduce four new pathways to permanent residency in 2025, as reported by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) News. One of these is the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWP), designed to streamline the process for foreign home care workers seeking employment and permanent residency.
Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWP)
The IRCC has released details about the upcoming Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots, which will feature reduced language, work experience, and education eligibility criteria to make it easier for home care workers to gain permanent residency and secure employment with a range of employers.
Set to launch on March 31, 2025, the HCWP will introduce two Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-exempt immigration pathways, allowing foreign home care workers to work and obtain permanent residency upon arrival in Canada.
Two Streams Under the Pilot Program
According to the IRCC, the pilot program will have two application streams:
- Workers in Canada
- Applicants Not Working in Canada
Initially, when the program opens, IRCC will only accept applications under the ‘Workers in Canada’ stream. The stream for applicants not currently working in Canada will open at a later date.
Key Benefits of the New Home Care Worker Pilots
The new pilots will introduce a one-step immigration process, allowing home care workers and their family members to obtain permanent residency without prior Canadian work experience. The program will also lower language and education requirements while ensuring applicants have the necessary skills to adapt to the Canadian labor market.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify under the new pilot, applicants will need:
- A Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level 4
- A high school diploma
- Recent, relevant work experience or a credential of at least six months in home care training
Unlike previous programs, prior Canadian work experience will not be required.
Steps to Apply
For candidates currently employed full-time in Canada, the application process includes the following steps:
- Take a language test to provide proof of English or French proficiency.
- Get an educational assessment to verify qualifications.
The IRCC will release further details on the full application process soon. Candidates are advised to visit the official IRCC website or can click here for updates and more information.
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