Your Go-To Guide to the New Caregiver Program in Canada
The new caregiver program in Canada (new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots) will launch on March 31, 2025, providing a direct path to permanent residency (PR) for caregivers. Replacing the Canada Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilots, the new caregiver program Canada 2025 includes two pilots:
- HCWIP: Child Care
- HCWIP: Home Support
Each pilot contains two streams:
- Workers in Canada; and
- Applicants Not Working in Canada
It aims to meet the rising demand for caregivers by offering jobs in private homes and healthcare settings.
This blog will guide you through the new caregiver program Canada, its eligibility requirements, the caregiver application Canada process, and the opportunities it offers
You can send an application for the “Workers in Canada” stream starting March 31, 2025, at 10 a.m. ET. if the caps are reached, you can wait until March 31 of the next year.
Table of Contents
The New Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots
Canada has launched the 2025 Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots for Child Care and Home Support, streamlining the path to Canada permanent residency for caregivers and skilled workers with a valid job offer in the field. Qualified applicants receive permanent residency upon arrival, eliminating lengthy immigration processes seen in the previous Home Care Program Canada (Home Child Care Program Canada) and the Home Support Worker Pilot.
The new Caregiver Program in Canada (HCWIP or HCWP), aims to address the country’s growing demand for home care workers supporting children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities or special needs. Caregivers can work in private households or healthcare businesses/non-profit organizations.
The New Home Care Worker Immigration Program has two pilots:
- HCWP: Child Care
- HCWP: Home Support
There are 2 streams in each pilot:
- Workers in Canada – The official portal opens on March 31, 2025
- Applicants Outside Canada (Applicants not Working in Canada) – Launch date pending.
>> Key Benefits of the New Caregiver Program Canada 2025
- Instant PR on Arrival – A major upgrade from the previous caregiver pilot programs, reducing the hardships of obtaining PR for skilled caregivers wishing to establish themselves in Canada.
- PR for the family members of home care workers in the new caregiver pilot program canada 2025
- No prior Canadian work experience is required.
- Greater Employment Flexibility – Work in various care settings that provide temporary or part-time care for individuals in need.
- Simplified Process – Faster and easier application compared to previous Canada caregiver programs
It enhances opportunities for caregivers while ensuring essential home care services for Canadian families.
The New Caregiver Requirements in Canada
This list will be updated once IRCC shares the full eligibility criteria.
Specific Eligibility Requirements for Workers in Canada
- Already live in Canada
(applications can be sent from outside Canada if you are physically outside Canada)
- Be authorized to work in Canada
(Your authorization should be for a full-time, through a valid work permit, maintained status, or public policies)
- Business visitors and study permit holders who are working without a work permit in Canada are not eligible.
The New Caregiver Program Canada has specific eligibility criteria for applicants. These requirements can be broken down into several categories:
Minimum Language Requirement: CLB/ NCLC 4
You should achieve a minimum of level 4 for all skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) in the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de Compétence Linguistique Canadiens (NCLC) in French or English.
Applicants must meet the language requirement of the Canada Caregiver Program and provide proof by taking an approved test, such as:
- Approved Language Tests for the New Caregiver Pilot
| English | French |
| CELPIP-General test | TEF Canada |
| IELTS General Training test | TCF Canada |
| PTE Core test |
Have a Valid Job Offer Outside of Quebec
You should secure a valid, full-time job offer outside Quebec from an eligible employer in Canada in the home care sector before applying under the new caregiver program Canada. It should be from a Canadian private household or a Canadian employer in the home care sector directly hiring caregivers.
No Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is required.
Conditions of the Job Offer for the Canada Caregiver Program
- The job offer must be in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) of the pilot that you will apply for (Child Care or Home Support).
- HCWIP: Child Care
- Home Child Care Providers (NOC 44100)
- The location of the job can’t be an institutional setting (e.g., daycare).
- HCWIP: Home Support
- Home support workers (NOC 44101)
- The location of the job can’t be an institutional setting (e.g., a nursing home)
- Your job offer must be from an employer in Canada, outside Quebec.
- It must be full-time, 30 hours of paid work per week
- The job offer must include:
- Hourly wage
- Employment requirements
- Explanation of the main duties
- The job offer shouldn’t be seasonal
- The offer must be genuine
- Your employment must be permanent without any set end date
Your wage should be equal to or higher than Canada Job Bank’s median wage for the role in the province or territory of employment (not the regional wage). Jobs without a median wage should use the national median wage.
Unacceptable Job Offers for This Pilot
- Job offers under NOC 42202: early childhood educators and assistants
- Job offers under NOC 33102: nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
- Job offer as a foster parent.
Eligible Home Care Employers
Eligible home care employers, according to IRCC, are:
- Private Households
Requirements for the private employers to be eligible:
- Be registered as an employer with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), have a business number, and a payroll account.
- Be financially capable of meeting the employment terms, including salary payments
- Have a legitimate reason for hiring a caregiver (showing proof of need for a caregiver)
- Adhere to and comply with IRCC and federal and provincial laws and requirements.
- Businesses or Non-Profit Organizations
Requirements for the business or non-profit organization to be eligible:
- Have a direct relationship with the employee, meaning they should directly:
- Hire the employee
- Manage work conditions
- Pay the employee
- Must have been actively providing the same type of care services as the job being offered for at least one year before making the job offer.
- Directly employ full-time workers to deliver temporary or occasional in-home care for individuals who are semi-independent or recovering from an illness or injury.
Examples of such businesses:- Direct Care Agencies
- Personal Care Services in Residential Settings
- Home Care Support Service Providers
- Home Health Care Service Providers
- Pediatric Home Health Care Service Providers
- Have a Canada Revenue Agency business number
- Comply with all regulations and requirements set by IRCC, and federal and provincial legislation.
Recruitment or placement agencies, as well as your spouse, parent, grandparent, or child, are not eligible under this program to hire you as a caregiver.
- Financial Requirements of Private Households for Hiring a Caregiver
Private households looking to hire a caregiver under the Caregiver Program Canada 2025 must demonstrate sufficient financial capacity to cover both their own expenses and your salary. The minimum budget varies by province. For example
Financial Requirements for Hiring Caregivers in Canada
(Home Support Workers – NOC 44101)
| Province | Hourly Wage | LICO ( 3-Person Household | Required House Hold Income |
| Ontario | $20.34 | $44,966 | $76,696.4 |
| Manitoba | $16.00 | $44,966 | $69,926 |
| Saskatchewan | $20.00 | $44,966 | $76,166 |
| Alberta | $20.00 | $44,966 | $80,846 |
| British Columbia | $23.00 | $37,473 | $73,353 |
Financial Requirements for Hiring Caregivers in Canada
(Home Child Care Providers – NOC 44100)
| Province | Hourly Wage | LICO (3-Person Household) | Required Household Income |
| Ontario | $18.00 | $44,966 | $73,046 |
| Manitoba | $17.84 | $44,966 | $72,796.40 |
| Saskatchewan | $17.00 | $44,966 | $71,486 |
| Alberta | $20.00 | $44,966 | $73,046 |
| British Columbia | $18.00 | $37,473 | $65,553 |
RCC may consider other financial information of the employer, including savings and debts.
If the family meets these criteria, they can offer you a job and officially employ you. So, ensure the employer’s eligibility before applying!
6-Months of Work Experience or a Training Credential
To qualify for the new Caregiver Program in Canada, you should either have recent and relevant work experience or a training credential. Those who own a credential as well as work experience can submit proof of both.
Work Experience
You should have at least 6 months of continuous, full-time (30 hours of paid work per week), and relevant work experience in the past 3 years.
Your work experience should be in the NOCs of the pilot you’re applying for:
- HCWIP: Child Care
- Home Child Care Providers (NOC 44100)
- Early Childhood Educators and Assistants (NOC 42202)
- Experience as a foster parent does not count.
- Experience as an Early Childhood Educator, Day Care Teacher, or Supervisor does not count.
- Experiences after applying doesn’t count.
- HCWIP: Home Support
- Home Support Workers, Caregivers, and Related Occupations (NOC 44101)
- Nurse Aides, Orderlies and Patient Service Associates (NOC 33102)
Work experiences gained while being a full-time student or while you were self-employed don’t count.
Training Credential
Those without any work experience should provide proof of completing a relevant training credential of at least 6 months long, in the past 2 years, inside or outside of Canada.
- The training must be at the post-secondary level.
- It should be a full-time training (at least 15 hours of training per week)
- The training should be mainly in an in-person classroom environment, so, training done mainly online, or on-the-job training does not count.
This ensures you have the necessary skills to provide quality care and meet employer expectations.
The good news is that no prior work experience in Canada is needed!
Have a High School Diploma or Higher
You should have at least a high school diploma or a higher degree.
If you have only finished high school, you should hold the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma proven with an ECA or Educational Credential Assessment.
Get Your Education Assessed (ECA)
You need to show that your degree is equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma or higher by getting an educational credential assessment (ECA for Canada Caregiver Program 2025). To obtain an ECA, you can submit your documents to one of these organizations:
- WES (World Education Services)
- ICAS (International Credential Assessment Service of Canada)
- CES (Comparative Education Service)
- IQAS (International Qualifications Assessment Service)
- ICES (International Credential Evaluation Service)
They’ll assess your education and confirm its Canadian equivalent. Fees and processing times vary, so check their websites.
Important: Make sure you specify that the assessment is for immigration purposes (ECA for immigration purposes) to ensure it’s valid for your application.
Costs of the New Home Care Worker Immigration Program
- Application Fee: From $1,525 per person
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee: $575
- Biometric Fees: $85 per person
- Other Fees: Depends on your situation
- Medical Exam
- Police Certificate
- ECA
- Language Test
You can ask for a refund of the application fee if: You’ve paid your fees before the pilot opens and the cap is reached before you apply.
Proof of Funds for Caregiver Program Canada
If you are a caregiver wishing to immigrate through this program, you need to show enough money to support yourself and any accompanying family member, based on the size of your family.
Required Proof of Funds for Canada Caregiver Program 2025
| Number of Family Members | Required Funds |
| 1 | $14,690 |
| 2 | $18,288 |
| 3 | $22,483 |
| 4 | $27,297 |
Top Sectors Where Caregivers Can Work
Here are the top places where a caregiver in Canada can find jobs under the enhanced caregiver pilot programs:
- Private Homes and Home Healthcare
In-home care for children, seniors, or disabled individuals with daily tasks at home. Work independently or with agencies. - Health and Social Assistance Organizations
- Residential Care Facilities
- Assisted Living & Nursing Homes
Assist residents with daily activities and monitor their health. - Rehabilitation Centers
Aid recovery after surgery or injury, working with medical teams. - Hospice & Palliative Care
Provide comfort for terminally ill patients and support families. - Childcare & Special Needs Care
Assist children with disabilities in homes, schools, or daycare centers. - Mental Health & Disability Support
Help individuals with daily tasks, therapy, and emotional well-being.
Required Documents for Caregiver Program Canada 2025
- Identity documents
- Proof of funds such as bank account statements
- Language test results
- Payment receipt of the application fee
- A copy of your ECA report
- Copies of your degrees, diplomas, transcripts, or other proof showing you’ve completed a foreign
- credential.
- Employer form (Employment Information Form) completed and signed by the employer
- For individual employers (private households): Individual Employers (IMM 0267)
- For businesses or non-profit employers: Business Employers (IMM 0268)
- Job offer letter or job contract provided by the employer
- Completed Forms
For Workers in Canada Stream: - If any of the forms below apply to you, include them in your application:
- There are also forms that you’ll fill out in the portal, including:
- Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)
- Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)
- Supplementary Information – Your Travels (IMM 5562)
- Additional Family Information (IMM 5406)
- Other related documents such as personal information and photos.
“”Once you submit your application, IRCC may send a letter asking for supporting documents. It’s usually for proving that:
- The job is genuine
- The employer is eligible
The letter contains instructions on how your employer should provide this information and how you can send IRCC the provided documents.””
How to Apply for Caregiver Program in Canada?
- Prepare your documents.
- Get your educational credentials assessed.
- Take an English or French language test.
- If you have recent related work experience, provide proof.
- If you don’t have related work experience, pass a minimum of 6-month training course in a related field and obtain the certification.
- Meanwhile, find an eligible employer in Canada and obtain a job offer.
- Create an account in the Permanent Residence (PR) Portal.
- Inside the portal, under the program, choose “Economic”.
- Then, choose the pilot and subcategory you want to apply to. You’ll only see the available subcategories so if the cap has been reached, you won’t see any.
- Pay the application fee.
- Answer all the questions in the portal and submit all the required documents and forms.
Submit the application. - Receive an acknowledgment of receipt (AOR) from IRCC that contains your file number.
- Once you apply for permanent residence, you may need to go through an immigration medical exam. IRCC will email you the instructions on how to get it done.
- Wait for the final decision on your application.
- Once approved, you’ll receive 2 emails from IRCC to confirm your permanent resident status. The first email contains a set of basic information, and the second one is to confirm your permanent resident (PR) status.
- After landing in Canada, make sure to receive your PR card and apply for a Social Insurance
- Number so that you can work legally under caregiver program
New rules for caregivers in Canada have not been fully announced by IRCC yet. We’ll update this data once IRCC releases the official information.
What to Do If You Don’t Have Prior Experience
Those with no prior caregiving experience can pass a training course in a related field, such as home care training courses at recognized universities and colleges, to make up for not having experience in the Canada caregiver program 2025.
Colleges Offering Related Caregiver Training Courses in Canada
Several colleges across Canada offer home care worker programs. These programs provide hands-on training and prepare you for caregiving roles within the Canadian healthcare system. Some of the top institutions include:
- Canadian Imperial College
- Western Community College
- Aims College
- Seneca College
- Centennial College
- George Brown College
Path for Caregivers Who Didn’t Reach the Pilot’s Quota
Even though the exact number of spots assigned to the new Home Care Worker Immigration pilots has not yet been confirmed, it’s expected to have an annual application intake cap between 4,000 and 5,000.
If you are not accepted into this program, an alternative option is to apply through the “Temporary Pathway to Work as a Caregiver” under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). This new caregiver pathway Canada 2025 requires an LMIA.
Both home child care providers and home support workers can work for an employer who secures an LMIA through the TFWP. If you want to apply through this caregiver Canada pathway, one of the situations below applies to you:
- You currently reside outside Canada, and you will be settling and working in Quebec.
- You currently reside in Canada and:
-
- You hold a valid Canadian work permit or study permit; or
- You plan to work in Quebec.
Hourly Wages of Caregivers in Different Provinces of Canada
The hourly wages for caregivers in Canada vary depending on the province and experience level. On average, caregivers in Canada earn between $15 to $25 per hour. Wages can vary based on the complexity of the care-giving tasks and the region in which you are employed.
For example, below you’ll see the wages of Caregivers across different provinces of Canada:
Hourly Wages of Caregivers in Different Provinces of Canada.
| Province | Average Hourly Wage |
| Ontario | $21.15 |
| British Columbia | $20.51 |
| Alberta | $20.06 |
| Saskatchewan | $17.94 |
| Manitoba | $18.70 |
| New Brunswick | $21.19 |
| Nova Scotia | $20.25 |
| Prince Edward Island | $26.86 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $19.82 |
| Nunavut | $32.74 |
| Yukon | $38.80 |
| Northwest Territories | $22.86 |
Conclusion for the Enhanced Caregiver Pilot Program
While all the requirements of the Caregiver Program Canada have not been fully introduced on IRCC’s website, this path offers a great opportunity for enthusiasts of care-giving and efficiently secures their PR.
If you want to know that this pathway is suitable for you, need consultation to begin your journey, are curious about its requirements, or simply need a helping hand to proceed, we are here for you. Book a consultation today and take a step toward your new future in Canada.
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