Foreign nationals seeking to build a future in Canada as home care workers now have access to essential details about these programs. Today, we will walk you through the eligibility guide for permanent residency in Home Care Worker Pilots.
Let’s dive right in!
The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot (HCWP) has been restructured into two distinct pilot programs:
- Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot for Child Care
- Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot for Home Support
Each of these programs is divided into two categories:
- Workers in Canada Stream
- Applicants Not Working in Canada Stream
Applications for the Workers in Canada stream for both pilots open at 10 AM EDT on March 31, 2025, and will remain open until March 30, 2026, or until the cap is met.
Details for the Applicants Not Working in Canada stream will be released later.
Summary of Eligibility Criteria
The table below summarizes the requirements for HCWP 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 apply for expired status). | |
| Language Requirements | CLB 4 | |
| Education | Secondary school diploma or equivalent | |
| Work Experience | Six months as:
– Home child care provider; and/or – Early childhood educator/assistant. |
Six months as:
– Home support worker/caregiver; and/or – Nurse aide/orderly/patient service associate. |
| Professional Training (if lacking work experience) | Completion of a relevant six-month or longer credential. | |
| Settlement Funds (for Applicants Not Working in Canada stream) | Must show sufficient funds based on family size. | |
Who Qualifies for the HCWP Program?
The first step in understanding the eligibility guide for permanent residency in Home Care Worker Pilots is knowing the qualifying occupations.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has designated specific occupations for each pilot program:
- Child Care Pilot
- Home Support Pilot
To qualify, applicants must have six months of continuous, full-time, relevant experience in the past three years or must have completed a six-month relevant educational credential. Experience should align with one of the National Occupational Classifications (NOCs) applicable to the selected pilot.
HCWP: Child Care
Eligible professions for the Child Care pilot include:
- Home Child Care Providers (NOC 44100): Professionals offering childcare services in private homes, including nannies and babysitters. Foster parenting experience is not considered.
- Early Childhood Educators and Assistants (NOC 42202): Work as daycare teachers or supervisors is ineligible.
HCWP: Home Support
Approved roles for the Home Support pilot include:
- Home Support Workers, Caregivers, and Related Occupations (NOC 44101)
- Nurse Aides, Orderlies, and Patient Service Associates (NOC 33102): Experience from long-term care facilities may qualify.
Work experience cannot be:
- Acquired during full-time studies
- Gained through self-employment
Canada uses the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system to categorize professions and the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) for educational program classification.
Training Requirements for HCWP
Applicants lacking work experience can qualify through professional training. Instead of work experience, they can present a post-secondary credential (minimum six months) earned within the last two years, either in Canada or internationally.
Educational credentials must:
- Align with an eligible NOC for HCWP
- Be at the post-secondary level
- Come from a full-time program (at least 15 hours per week)
- Have been primarily completed in person
- Be completed within two years before applying
- Be earned by individuals at least 17 years old at enrollment
Below are the corresponding NOCs for each stream:
| HCWP Child Care | HCWP Home Support |
| – Home child care providers (NOC 44100)
– Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202) |
– Home support workers, caregivers (NOC 44101)
– Nurse aides, orderlies, patient service associates (NOC 33102) |
Applicants cannot use credentials from one stream to apply for the other.
Ineligible Education Credentials
An education credential is not valid for HCWP programs if:
- It prepares applicants for unrelated occupations
- It was primarily completed online
- It was part of on-the-job training
Job Offer Criteria
Another key aspect of the eligibility guide for permanent residency in Home Care Worker Pilots is job offer criteria. A valid job offer should:
- Align with an eligible NOC and work setting
- Be full-time (30+ hours per week) with no set end date
- Be located outside Quebec
The offer should state wages, conditions, and job duties. IRCC will evaluate applicants’ qualifications to confirm their ability to perform the job.
Approved NOC and Work Settings
| HCWP Child Care | HCWP Home Support |
| – Home child care providers (NOC 44100)
Exclusions: – Early childhood educators, daycare workers, and foster parenting. |
– Home support workers, caregivers (NOC 44101)
– Exclusions: Roles in nursing homes and institutional care. |
What Makes a Job Offer Genuine?
A job offer is considered valid if:
- The employer has a legitimate caregiver need
- The employer meets wage and employment conditions
- The employer complies with labor and immigration laws
- Wages match or exceed provincial standards
Who Can Offer Jobs Under HCWP?
Employers must have a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number. Eligible employers include:
- Private households hiring directly
- Businesses and nonprofits with direct employment relationships
Organizations hiring full-time caregivers for semi-independent individuals or those recovering from injury or illness are also eligible. Examples include:
- Home health care service providers
- Home care support service providers
- Direct care agencies
- Personal care services in residential settings
- Pediatric home health care service providers
Ineligible Employers
- Recruitment agencies
- Embassies, consulates, and diplomats
- Employers with labor law violations
- Self-employed individuals
- Close family members of applicants
Application Process for Workers in Canada
To apply under the Workers in Canada stream, applicants must:
- Be currently residing in Canada
- Hold a valid work permit, maintained status, or other legal work authorization
A limited number of out-of-status workers (140 spots per stream) can apply if they:
- Entered Canada before December 16, 2021
- Held a valid work permit after that date
- Are admissible except for overstaying or unauthorized work
Financial Requirements for PR Applicants Not Working in Canada
Applicants must demonstrate settlement funds based on family size.
| Family Members | Funds Required (CAD) |
| 1 | $14,690 |
| 2 | $18,288 |
| 3 | $22,483 |
| 4 | $27,297 |
| 5 | $30,690 |
| 6 | $34,917 |
| 7 | $38,875 |
| Each additional member | Add $3,958 |
HCWP Application Fees
| Fee Type | Amount (CAD) |
| Processing Fee | $1,525 |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee | $575 |
| Biometrics Fee | $85 (individual) / $170 (family) |
| Additional Fees | Medical exam, police checks, ECA, language tests |
Under Canadian law, employers cannot charge recruitment fees to applicants.
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