Work in Canada
Canada’s New PR Pathways for Home Care Workers Launching in 2025

Canada is making a game-changing move for home care professionals. Starting March 31, 2025, two new PR Pathways for Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots will open, providing eligible workers with an opportunity to secure permanent residence (PR) upon arrival. These programs replace previous caregiver immigration pathways and aim to address the growing demand for skilled home care professionals across the country.
If you are a home care worker aspiring for a stable future in Canada, now is the time to prepare. Here’s everything you need to know about these new immigration pathways.
Who Can Apply for the New Home Care Worker PR Pathways?
To qualify for PR under these new programs, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 in English or French.
- A credential equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma.
- Recent and relevant experience in a home care occupation.
- A full-time employment offer from a Canadian employer in the home care sector.
Previously, caregivers needed just six months of eligible experience to apply for PR. While the new pathways maintain a streamlined approach, additional eligibility requirements are expected to be released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) soon.
Why Canada Needs Home Care Workers
Canada’s aging population and rising demand for in-home care services have created an urgent need for skilled caregivers. The government is addressing this by offering PR on arrival, ensuring home care workers can establish long-term careers while filling crucial labor gaps.
Key Benefits of the New Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots
- Unlike previous pathways that required work experience first, these programs grant permanent residence from day one.
- Applicants must secure a full-time job offer, ensuring stable employment.
- PR status allows caregivers to bring their families to Canada, enhancing their quality of life.
- These programs help families in need of professional home care while securing workers’ legal status in Canada.
Canada’s Home Care Immigration Evolution
Canada’s approach to caregiver immigration has evolved significantly over the years, with multiple programs introduced and later replaced to better address labor shortages and caregiving needs. The Live-in Caregiver Program, which allowed foreign caregivers to work and live with Canadian families, was closed in 2014, paving the way for newer initiatives.
In 2019, three programs—the Caring for Children Pilot, the Caring for People with High Medical Needs Pilot, and the Interim Pathway for Caregivers—were discontinued as the government shifted towards more streamlined immigration options. Most recently, in 2024, the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot were officially closed, creating a temporary gap in caregiver-specific immigration pathways. With the launch of the new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots, Canada is once again prioritizing a dedicated PR pathway for caregivers, ensuring continued support for families in need of home care services.
The closure of previous pathways in June 2024 created a temporary gap in caregiver-specific immigration programs. The launch of these new PR pathways ensures that skilled caregivers once again have a dedicated route to settling in Canada permanently.
Immigration Targets and Future Prospects
The 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan includes 10,920 spots under the “Federal Economic Pilots” category. These slots will be shared among various pilot programs, including:
- New Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots
- Agri-Food Pilot
- Community Immigration Pilots
- Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot
While IRCC has not yet disclosed the exact number of spots for caregivers, the inclusion of these pathways in the immigration plan reinforces the government’s commitment to addressing labor shortages in critical sectors.
What’s Next for Home Care Workers?
With an official launch date set for March 31, 2025, aspiring applicants should begin gathering necessary documents, such as language test results, education credentials, and proof of work experience. As more details emerge, staying updated with the latest IRCC announcements will be crucial.
Canada’s new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots are a major step forward, offering skilled caregivers a seamless pathway to permanent residence. By providing immediate PR, the government is not only supporting workers but also strengthening the country’s home care sector.
If you are a caregiver looking for a long-term future in Canada, this is the perfect opportunity to start planning your move. Stay tuned for more details as IRCC releases further information on eligibility and the application process.