Home Care Worker Pilot / April 01, 2025

Home Care Worker Pilot reaches application limit on opening day

Canada’s home support worker pilot hit its 2025 application limit on opening day.

Canada's Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot for home support workers reached its application limit on March 31, 2025. The online application portal closed just a few hours after opening. This pilot program, part of the Workers in Canada stream, hit its cap around 2:25 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), the same day it launched.

The program had a cap of 2,750 applications this year, with 150 spots reserved for out-of-status workers. These are individuals who previously lost their immigration status but are still eligible to apply under special measures.

Although the online application window closed quickly, the program is still accepting applications in alternate formats. This includes paper, braille, and large-print applications. These formats are available for individuals who are unable to apply online due to accessibility needs. However, most applicants are required to use the online portal unless they qualify for special accommodations.

The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot is designed to address the growing demand for in-home support workers. It offers a pathway to permanent residency for qualified caregivers already working in Canada. The program allows workers to apply for permanent residency while continuing to provide essential care services, such as assisting seniors, individuals with disabilities, or those needing in-home support.

The Child Care Worker stream, which is also part of the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot, reached its cap on March 31 as well. Both streams quickly filled up, reflecting the high demand for these immigration pathways.

The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot operates as a five-year federal program. If it proves successful, it could potentially become a permanent immigration pathway in the future. This pilot program will reopen for applications in 2026, but the exact date has not yet been announced.

As of now, the government has not revealed when the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot for applicants not already working in Canada will open. This stream is meant for caregivers seeking to immigrate without prior Canadian work experience.

The quick closure of the application window highlights the strong interest in the program. It also reflects the high number of qualified applicants seeking permanent residency through caregiving jobs.

Caregivers who missed the 2025 intake will have to wait until the program reopens next year. In the meantime, they can explore other immigration programs or prepare for the next application cycle by gathering necessary documents and meeting eligibility requirements.

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