Canada to kickstart caregiver program for foreign workers in March: Report

Canada is all set to launch an updated pathway for foreign caregivers to work and live in Canada. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed that the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots will begin accepting applications starting March 31, 2025.

This new program is set to replace the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot, which paused accepting applications on June 17, 2024, as per the latest reports. 

Marc Miller, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, announced the new, enhanced caregiver pathways last June, regarding them as an important step forward.  

The new pilots will allow caregivers to receive permanent resident status immediately upon arriving in Canada, paving the way for eliminating the delays and uncertainty of previous programs.  

It will also allow participants to work in different settings including part-time, temporary positions, supporting semi-independent individuals as well as those recovering from illness. 

To qualify for the program, applicants must achieve at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4, equivalent to minimum IELTS scores of 4.5 in listening, 3.5 in reading, and 4 in writing and speaking.  They are also required to hold a Canadian high school diploma or its equivalent (proven through an Education Credential Assessment (ECA)). 

They are additionally required to secure a full-time job offer in Canada’s home care sector and previous work experience in the relevant field. 

According to the Immigration Levels Plan, applications for this year’s program are expected to be between 4,000 and 5,000.

As Canada’s aging population continues to increase, the demand for professional caregivers has also surged significantly. While the senior population reached 6.2 million in 2017, it is expected to rise to 10.4 million by 2037.

With the launch of the new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots, previous caregiver pathways are no longer available for applications. Authorities advised applicants to beware of misinformation and potential fraud.  

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