Status in 2026: no new applications
The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (one for home child care workers and one for home support workers) opened on 31 March 2025. They replaced the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot.
On 19 December 2025, IRCC announced that it was pausing intake until further notice and that intake would not reopen in March 2026. As of 2026-10-11, IRCC's program page lists the pilots as closed to new applications while it processes the applications it already has. IRCC has not announced a date for any new intake.
Be careful with anyone who offers a "caregiver program spot" or charges a fee to "reserve" a place: there is no intake to reserve.
If you already applied
- IRCC continues to process applications received before the pause.
- You can follow your file in your IRCC account. Times are in IRCC's processing-times tool.
- If your work permit or status is close to expiring, look at your options, such as an extension, before it expires. See our temporary residence page.
What the pilots required (for reference)
When intake was open, applicants generally needed:
- a full-time job offer as a home child care worker or home support worker;
- CLB/NCLC 4 in English or French;
- the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma;
- recent, relevant work experience or training.
If IRCC reopens intake, the rules could change. We will update this page when IRCC publishes a notice.
Other pathways to look at
- Employer-specific work permit: a family can hire an in-home caregiver through a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), subject to ESDC's rules.
- Express Entry and the provincial nominee programs: some caregivers qualify through their work experience, education and language results.
- Rural and Francophone Community Immigration Pilots: if a designated employer in a participating community offers a qualifying job.
Recent changes
- 31 March 2026: new Ministerial Instructions confirm that IRCC is not accepting new applications under the pilots.
- 19 December 2025: IRCC pauses intake until further notice.
- 31 March 2025: the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots open.
How we can help
Anasse Boulbaroud, RCIC, can review a pending caregiver file, explain how to keep your status while you wait, and assess other pathways, including an employer's LMIA for an in-home caregiver. Only IRCC and ESDC decide. Book a consultation.