Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWP)
A Comprehensive Guide to Canada’s New Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWP)
Canada has long recognized the crucial role of home care workers in supporting the elderly, disabled, and those in need of personal care. To address the increasing demand for skilled home care professionals, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced new immigration pathways specifically for foreign home care workers.
What Are the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots?
The HCWP consists of two distinct LMIA-exempt (Labour Market Impact Assessment) immigration pathways designed for foreign nationals seeking employment in Canada’s home care sector.
These pilots allow candidates to obtain permanent residence upon arrival, providing them with stability and long-term career prospects.
The HCWP offers two primary pathways for home care workers:
- 1. Workers in Canada Stream
- This stream will be the first to open for applications on March 31, 2025.
- It is intended for candidates who are already in Canada and have relevant work experience in the home care sector.
- 2. Applicants Not Working in Canada Stream
- This stream will open at a later date in 2025.
- It will allow foreign nationals outside Canada to apply once more details are released by IRCC.
Eligibility Criteria for the HCWP
To qualify for the HCWP, applicants must meet specific requirements in terms of work experience, education, language proficiency, and job offers. Below are the detailed eligibility criteria:
1. Work Experience
- Applicants must have at least six months of recent, relevant work experience in a home care role.
- Alternatively, candidates may qualify if they have completed at least six months of formal training related to home care.
- Work experience may be obtained either in Canada or abroad.
2. Language Proficiency
- A minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 4 in either English or French is required.
- Applicants must take an approved language test and submit their results with their application.
3. Job Offer Requirements
- Applicants must secure a job offer from either:
- A private household
- An organization that directly hires full-time home care workers to provide short-term or occasional home care.
- Organizations eligible to offer jobs under the HCWP include:
- Home health care service providers
- Home care support service providers
- Direct care agencies
- Personal care service providers in residential settings
- Pediatric home health care service providers
- Recruitment and placement agencies are NOT eligible employers under the HCWP.
- Importantly, an LMIA is not required to support job offers under these pilots.
4. Education Requirements
- A minimum of a secondary school diploma (high school education) is required.
- Foreign education credentials must be assessed through an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
- Applicants must demonstrate a clear intention to reside in a Canadian province other than Quebec
Eligibility for Out-of-Status Workers in Canada
Opportunities for Applicants from Previous Home Care Pilots
The HCWP also includes provisions for candidates who had previously applied under the Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilots, which were closed in June 2024.
Individuals who applied under the Gaining Experience Category before June 2024 and have since accumulated sufficient work experience can still submit proof of their experience to IRCC for consideration under previous guidelines.
Application Process for HCWP
Step 1: Gather Required Documents
- Proof of work experience or home care training
- Language test results (CLB 4 or higher)
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
- Valid job offer from an eligible employer
Step 2: Submit the Application
- The Workers in Canada stream will start accepting applications on March 31, 2025.
- The Applicants not working in Canada stream will open later in 2025.
- IRCC advises applicants to check their website regularly for updates on submission procedures.
Step 3: Await IRCC Processing
- Once the application is submitted, IRCC will review the eligibility criteria and verify all documents.
- Processing times will vary depending on the volume of applications received.
Eligible Occupations and Their NOC Codes
Healthcare Professions
| NOC Code | Job Title |
|---|---|
| 31102 | General practitioners and family physicians |
| 31110 | Dentists |
| 31111 | Optometrists |
| 31112 | Audiologists and speech-language pathologists |
| 31120 | Pharmacists |
| 31121 | Dietitians and nutritionists |
| 31200 | Psychologists |
| 31201 | Chiropractors |
| 31202 | Physiotherapists |
| 31203 | Occupational therapists |
| 31300 | Nursing coordinators and supervisors |
| 31301 | Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses |
| 31302 | Nurse practitioners |
| 31303 | Physician assistants, midwives, and allied health professionals |
| 32101 | Licensed practical nurses |
| 32102 | Paramedical occupations |
| 32103 | Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists, and cardiopulmonary technologists |
| 32104 | Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians |
| 32111 | Dental hygienists and dental therapists |
| 32120 | Medical laboratory technologists |
| 32121 | Medical radiation technologists |
| 32122 | Medical sonographers |
| 32123 | Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists |
| 32124 | Pharmacy technicians |
| 32129 | Other medical technologists and technicians |
| 32201 | Massage therapists |
| 33101 | Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations |
| 33102 | Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates |
| 33103 | Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants |
Social Services Professions
| NOC Code | Job Title |
|---|---|
| 41300 | Social workers |
| 41301 | Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies |
| 42201 | Social and community service workers |
These occupations have been identified as in-demand, making it easier for professionals in these fields to qualify for category-based Express Entry draws.
How to Determine Your Eligibility
To qualify under the Healthcare and Social Services category, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Work Experience: At least six months of full-time, continuous work experience (or an equivalent part-time experience) in an eligible occupation within the last three years.
- NOC Code Verification: Match your job duties and responsibilities with the official NOC description.
- General Express Entry Eligibility: Meet the basic requirements for one of the three federal immigration programs: Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, or Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Steps to Verify Your Eligibility:
- 1. Identify Your NOC Code
- Visit the Government of Canada’s NOC website and search for your job title.
- Verify the associated NOC code and TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) classification.
- 2. Compare Your Job Duties
- Check the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) website to ensure your job responsibilities match the NOC description.
- You must have performed most of the main duties listed for the occupation.
- 3. Confirm Eligibility Under Express Entry Categories
- Visit the IRCC’s category-based selection page.
- Cross-check whether your occupation falls under the updated Healthcare and Social Services category.
Benefits of Category-Based Express Entry Draws
Category-based draws provide a significant advantage for skilled professionals in high-demand sectors. Unlike general Express Entry draws, which require higher Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores, category-based draws have lower cut-offs, increasing the chances of receiving an ITA.
For example, in 2024:
- General draws: CRS cut-offs ranged from 524 to 549.
- Healthcare category draws: CRS cut-offs ranged between 422 and 463.
Benefits of the HCWP for Foreign Home Care Workers
The new HCWP offers several advantages for foreign home care workers looking to build a career in Canada:
- Direct Pathway to Permanent Residence: Successful applicants will receive PR upon arrival, offering long-term stability and access to social benefits.
- No LMIA Requirement: Unlike many other work visa programs, employers do not need to obtain an LMIA, making job offers more accessible.
- Lower Language and Education Requirements: The reduced CLB 4 requirement and the minimum high school diploma threshold make the program more accessible to workers worldwide.
- Inclusion of Out-of-Status Workers: Those who have lost their status in Canada now have a chance to apply for PR.
Conclusion
Important Links
- Demand For Skilled Professionals In Canada
- Apply for Canada PR Visa from India
- Migrate to Canada from India
- How to immigrate to Canada as an Engineer?
- How to Immigrate to Canada Without a Job Offer?
- Job Opportunities in Canada
- Average Salary in Canada
- High Salary Jobs in Canada
- Demand for Temporary Foreign Workers in Canada
