October 2026

Canada Home Care Worker Pilots 2026–2027: Eligibility and Status

Canada's caregiver pilots offer a direct path to permanent residence for home child care and home support workers — but new applications are paused in 2026. Here's who qualifies and how to get ready.

Status update (October 2026): IRCC paused intake for both pilots on December 19, 2025. The intake planned for March 2026 did not open, and no new date has been announced. Applications already submitted are still being processed.

What is this pilot, and why is it worth a look?

Canada runs two caregiver pilot programs under the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots:

Home Child Care Provider Pilot — for nannies and child care workers (NOC 44100, 42202)
Home Support Worker Pilot — for personal support workers, home health aides, and caregivers for seniors or people with disabilities (NOC 44101, 33102)

Both lead straight to permanent residence, not just a temporary work permit. Here's what makes them attractive compared to other work routes:

No LMIA required. Normally, employers need a Labour Market Impact Assessment to hire a foreign worker — a slow, expensive process. These pilots skip that entirely. You still need a full-time job offer, but your employer doesn't need an LMIA.
Low language bar. You only need CLB 4 — a basic, conversational level, not fluency.
You don't need a university degree. A high school diploma plus relevant training is enough.
Your spouse and children can come with you, and your spouse can usually get an open work permit.
There were two streams — one for workers already in Canada (opened March 31, 2025) and one for workers outside Canada (announced but never opened). Both require a job offer.

Important to know upfront: these pilots have a limited number of spots per year, and in past intakes, the cap was reached within hours of opening. This isn't a reason to avoid applying — it's a reason to get your documents ready before the intake opens, so you can apply the moment it does.

Eligibility

See who qualifies

You must meet one of these two routes:

Route 1 — Work experience route

At least 6 months of recent, full-time, relevant home care work experience

Route 2 — Training route

Completed a home care–related training program of at least 6 months that led to a credential

Plus, for everyone:

Language: CLB 4 or higher in all four skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing), with an approved test (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada) less than 2 years old
Education: completed secondary school (high school) at minimum, with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if you studied outside Canada
Required for everyone: a job offer for full-time work (outside Quebec) as a home child care provider or home support worker, from a private household or an organization that directly employs caregivers

Qualifications

See how selection works

There were two streams, and both require a job offer:

Workers in Canada — for people already living and working in Canada. This stream opened on March 31, 2025 and filled quickly.
Workers outside Canada — announced but never opened.

In 2025, each pilot had about 2,750 spots, given out first come, first served.

Unlike Express Entry, there's no competitive points system here — if you meet the requirements and a spot is open in the intake, you qualify. This makes it predictable — when intake is open.

Documents

See the document checklist

Valid passport
Language test results (CLB 4+, less than 2 years old)
Proof of secondary school completion
Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), if you studied outside Canada
Proof of 6 months of relevant work experience, or proof of 6+ months of relevant training/credential
Job offer letter for full-time home care work (required for everyone)
Medical exam and police certificates (standard for all PR applications)

How to Apply

Confirm which pilot fits you — Home Child Care Provider or Home Support Worker — based on the type of care work you do or plan to do.
Gather your documents now — language test, training or work experience proof, and job offer — so you're ready before the next intake opens.
Watch for IRCC's announcement. Intake is paused with no reopening date, so follow IRCC news closely.
Apply as soon as intake reopens — spots are given out first come, first served.
Receive permanent residence once approved — no separate work permit stage required first.

While you wait, look at other open routes. Some Provincial Nominee Programs have streams for care workers, and the Atlantic Immigration Program and Rural Community Immigration Pilot also accept many home care jobs with a job offer.

Intake is paused for now, but when it reopens, spots will likely fill fast. Our chatbot can check whether you meet the requirements today and show you other routes you may qualify for while you wait.

[Check your eligibility for the caregiver pilot now →]