Canada’s new caregiver immigration program offers direct permanent residence to qualified applicants,
but 2025 caps for in-Canada applicants have now been reached.
What is the 2025 Caregiver Program?
The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWIP) were launched on March 31, 2025 to replace the Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilots. These new pilots provide eligible caregivers with a direct path to permanent residence (PR) without needing to complete Canadian work experience beforehand.
However, the application intake caps for the Workers in Canada stream have been reached , and the Applicants Outside Canada stream is not yet open.
Available Streams
There are two application streams under the 2025 caregiver pilots:
| Stream | Status as of May 2025 |
| Workers in Canada | ❌ Closed (2025 cap reached) |
| Applicants Not Working in Canada | 🔒 Not open yet |
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for either stream when open, you must:
● Have a full-time job offer in a home care occupation:
● Home Child Care Provider (NOC 44100)
● Home Support Worker (NOC 44101)
● Achieve a minimum CLB 4 in English or French (valid test within 2 years)
● Hold a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent (ECA required for foreign credentials)
● Have at least 6 months of full-time, paid work experience or training in home care (within the last 2 years)
● Intend to live outside Quebec
● Show settlement funds (only if applying from outside Canada)
Settlement Funds (for Overseas Applicants)
If applying from outside Canada, you must provide proof of settlement funds:
| Family Size | Funds Required (2025) |
| 1 | $13,757 |
| 2 | $17,127 |
| 3 | $21,055 |
| 4 | $25,564 |
| 5 | $28,994 |
| 6 | $32,700 |
| 7 | $36,407 |
| Each additional member | $3,706 |
Application Caps (2025)
The IRCC sets yearly intake limits for each pilot stream. For 2025, the following limits apply:
Workers in Canada Stream
Now Closed (Cap Reached)
● Home Child Care: 2,350 online + 260 alternate format
● Home Support: 2,350 online + 260 alternate format
Out-of-Status Caregivers
Now Closed (Cap Reached)
● Home Child Care: 125 online + 15 alternate format
● Home Support: 125 online + 15 alternate format
Applicants Not Working in Canada
Not yet open. Application instructions and caps to be announced later in 2025.
Application Process (When Open)
1. Confirm eligibility (language, education, training/experience)
2. Secure a full-time job offer in child or home support care
3. Gather required documents (language test, ECA, offer letter, resume)
4. Apply online or via alternate format, depending on stream
5. Complete biometrics, medical exam, and background checks
6. Receive permanent resident status (no work permit step required for most applicants)
Benefits of HCWIP
● No Canadian work experience required
● PR on arrival if approved
● LMIA exemption
● Can work with private households or authorized agencies
● Out-of-status caregivers in Canada had limited access in 2025
● Spouse and dependent children can be included in PR application
Only if applying from outside Canada — and that stream has not yet opened. The in-Canada stream is closed for 2025.
Yes. You can start preparing your documents, secure a job offer, and complete your language test and ECA.
No. The 2025 program grants PR on arrival if you meet all other criteria.
No. Job offers under the caregiver pilots are LMIA-exempt.
You must wait for the next intake period or consider alternate PR pathways such as the Provincial Nominee Program or RCIP.
Planning to Apply as a Caregiver in Canada? Let Us Help You Prepare.
Even though the 2025 in-Canada caregiver stream is now closed, Sapra Immigration can help you prepare for the upcoming application intake for overseas applicants — or explore alternate PR pathways tailored to your profile.