Eligibility and Application Process for the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots: A Detailed Guide
Foreign nationals who are aspiring to immigrate to Canada as home care workers now have access to complete details regarding the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWP). This immigration program, which is designed for workers in two distinct categories—Child Care and Home Support—has been formally divided into two specialized pilot programs. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the eligibility criteria, job offers, training requirements, settlement funds, and application process to help you determine if you’re eligible.
Overview of the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots
The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot (HCWP) has now been split into two separate programs:
- Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Child Care
- Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Home Support
Each of these programs has two streams:
- The Workers in Canada Stream
- The Applicants Not Working in Canada Stream
The Workers in Canada Stream will be accepting applications from March 31, 2025, until March 30, 2026, or until the program cap is met. More details regarding the Applicants Not Working in Canada Stream will be shared at a later date.
Key Eligibility Requirements
Here’s a summary of the eligibility criteria for both the HCWP Child Care and HCWP Home Support programs:
| Eligibility Requirement | HCWP Child Care | HCWP Home Support |
|---|---|---|
| Status in Canada (if applying under the Applicants in Canada stream) | Must be in Canada with valid work authorization (exceptions for some out-of-status workers). | Must be in Canada with valid work authorization (exceptions for some out-of-status workers). |
| Language Requirements | CLB 4 or higher. | CLB 4 or higher. |
| Educational Requirements | Secondary school diploma or equivalent. | Secondary school diploma or equivalent. |
| Work Experience | 6 months as a home child care provider or early childhood educator/assistant. | 6 months as a home support worker/caregiver, or as a nurse aid/orderly/patient service associate. |
| Professional Training (for those without qualifying work experience) | Completion of a six-month or longer relevant credential in the last two years. | Completion of a six-month or longer relevant credential in the last two years. |
| Settlement Funds (for Applicants Not Working in Canada Stream) | Must demonstrate adequate settlement funds based on family size. | Must demonstrate adequate settlement funds based on family size. |
Eligible Occupations under the HCWP
Foreign nationals must have 6 months of continuous, relevant, full-time work experience gained in the last three years or have a six-month long relevant educational credential to qualify. The eligible occupations are categorized into Child Care and Home Support.
HCWP Child Care
- Home Child Care Providers (NOC 44100): Includes nannies, babysitters, parent’s helpers, and similar roles.
- Early Childhood Educators and Assistants (NOC 42202): Includes daycare teachers and early childhood assistants.
Note: Experience as a foster parent does not count towards eligibility for the Child Care pilot. Similarly, work experience as an early childhood educator, daycare teacher, or supervisor does not count.
HCWP Home Support
- Home Support Workers, Caregivers, and Related Occupations (NOC 44101): Caregivers who assist individuals with daily activities in their homes.
- Nurse Aides, Orderlies, and Patient Service Associates (NOC 33102): Includes roles providing health care support.
Note: Work experience gained in institutional settings such as long-term care facilities may be eligible.
Professional Education and Training
For applicants who do not have the required work experience, a professional training program of at least six months completed in the last two years can substitute.
The credential must:
- Be directly relevant to one of the eligible NOCs.
- Be post-secondary education.
- Have been completed as part of a full-time program (at least 15 hours per week).
- Be offered primarily in a classroom environment (no online courses).
- Be completed within two years prior to applying.
Note: A credential cannot be used across both pilot programs (Child Care and Home Support).
Job Offers and Employer Eligibility
To qualify, applicants must have a genuine job offer from a Canadian employer. Here are the conditions:
- The job offer must be for a full-time, continuous position (at least 30 hours per week) outside of Quebec.
- The employer must demonstrate they can meet the agreed-upon wage and working conditions.
- The job must be in a home care setting and related to one of the eligible National Occupational Classifications (NOCs) listed.
HCWP Child Care
Eligible NOCs:
- Home child care providers (NOC 44100).
Note: Offers for early childhood educators (NOC 42202) and foster parents are not eligible.
HCWP Home Support
Eligible NOCs:
- Home support workers (NOC 44101).
- Nurse aides (NOC 33102).
Note: Offers for jobs in institutional settings such as daycares and nursing homes are not eligible.
“Genuine” Job Offer Criteria
A job offer is considered genuine if it meets the following criteria:
- Real need: The employer must prove a legitimate requirement for hiring a foreign worker.
- Ability to fulfill terms: The employer must be able to provide the agreed-upon wages and meet employment standards.
- Compliance with the law: The employer must adhere to all applicable federal and provincial regulations.
- Wage Requirements: The wage must meet or exceed the median wage for that occupation in the applicable province or territory, or the national median wage if no provincial wage is available.
Employer Requirements
Employers who wish to offer job positions to foreign nationals under the HCWP must meet certain eligibility criteria:
- Employers must have a Canada Revenue Agency business number.
- Eligible employers include private households, businesses, and non-profit organizations in sectors such as home health care services, personal care services in residential settings, and pediatric care.
Ineligible employers include:
- Recruitment agencies.
- Diplomatic missions (embassies, consulates).
- Self-employed individuals, or their family members (spouse, children, etc.).
Special Considerations for Out-of-Status Workers
A unique provision exists for foreign nationals who are out-of-status in Canada. Under the regularization public policy, individuals who do not currently have valid status in Canada can apply for permanent residency under the HCWP if they meet specific conditions.
Eligibility conditions include:
- The applicant must be in Canada and meet all other eligibility requirements.
- The applicant must have entered Canada before December 16, 2021, and have lived in the country continuously since then.
- The applicant must have held a valid work permit at some point after December 16, 2021.
Settlement Funds
Applicants who are outside Canada will need to demonstrate sufficient settlement funds. The amount required depends on the number of people in the applicant’s family. Below is a table showing the required funds:
| Number of Family Members | Required Funds (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $14,690 |
| 2 | $18,288 |
| 3 | $22,483 |
| 4 | $27,297 |
| 5 | $30,690 |
| 6 | $34,917 |
| 7 | $38,875 |
| More than 7 | $3,958 per additional member |
Application Fees
Applicants under either pilot program will be subject to the following fees:
| Fee Type | Fee Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Processing Fees | $1,525 |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee | $575 |
| Biometrics Fees | $85 (individuals), $170 (families) |
| Additional Fees | Medical exams, police certificates, language tests, and education credential assessments may also apply. |
Final Thoughts
For foreign nationals looking to apply for permanent residency under the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots, the path involves understanding the detailed eligibility requirements, submitting an eligible job offer, and ensuring sufficient settlement funds. As these two pilot programs evolve, further updates and clarifications will be provided, so it is important to stay informed and follow the application guidelines closely.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
