Update March 21st: Migration under the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWIP) program.

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Application status

Workers currently in Canada :
⏰ Open from 10:00 AM (Eastern Time), March 31, 2025
⏳ Next quota release: March 30, 2026

Applicants who are not currently working in Canada :
🚫 Applications are currently closed ; the number of applications will be announced later.

Government fees

From $1,525 CAD

Who is this program for?

Permanent residency program for skilled workers in:

• Child Care at Home
• Home Support

Application flows

Each program has two threads:

1. Workers are currently in Canada.
2. Applicants who have not yet worked in Canada (opening will follow)

Eligibility requirements for the program

You need:

• I plan to live and work in Canada (outside of Quebec).
• Meet the requirements regarding:
  ◾ Language (Club/Advanced Level 4 or higher)
  ◾ Education (minimum equivalent to high school in Canada)
  ◾ Relevant work experience or training
  ◾ Valid job offer letter
• Eligible to enter Canada

“Workers already in Canada” stream – Detailed requirements

• Currently residing in Canada (may be traveling but must provide proof of residence in Canada)
• Having the legal right to work, through:
  • The work permit is still valid.
  • Maintained status
  • Public policy

🚫 Not eligible if :

• Working without a permit
• As a business visitor
• Follow the terms and conditions of your study permit.

Language requirements

• Take an English or French test.
• Minimum level: CLB/NCLC 4 for all four skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing
• The results must still be valid at the time of application.

Educational requirements

• Minimum equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma.
• If studying outside Canada, you will need to do ECA – Qualification Accreditation (through WES, ICAS, IQAS, CES, etc.).

Work experience / Training

You need:

1. Work experience

• Minimum of 6 consecutive months of full-time employment (≥30 hours/week) within the last 3 years.
• It must be the correct field of study (NOC) for a single program.

🔹 HCWIP: In-Home Childcare

• NOC 44100 – Home Childcare Provider
  ❌ Experience as a foster parent is not counted.
• NOC 42202 – Teacher Assistant
  ❌ Excludes preschool teachers and administrators

🔹 HCWIP: Home Care Support

• NOC 44101 – Home Support Staff
• NOC 33102 – Nursing Assistant
  ✅ Experience in a nursing home may be accepted.

🚫 Experience is not accepted if:

• As a full-time student
• Self-employment
• Unemployment, extended sick leave, maternity leave

2. Professional training (if lacking sufficient experience)

• Lasts a minimum of 6 months.
• Post-secondary
• Full-time study, primarily in-person classes.
• Starting from age 17 and above
• Completed within 2 years prior to application.
• ECA is not required if used only for training purposes.

Not accepted:

• Online learning
• On-the-job training
• Training in unrelated professions (e.g., medicine)

Job Offer Requirements

Invitation conditions:

• The correct program code for the course you registered for:
  • Child Care: NOC 44100 ❌ Daycare and foster parent not accepted.
  • Home Support: NOC 44101
    ❌ Nursing homes, NOC 42202, NOC 33102 are not accepted.
• Jobs in Canada, excluding Quebec
• Full-time (≥30 hours/week), long-term, with job description and salary.
• A salary equal to or higher than the median wage.

Who are the eligible employers?

✅ Accepted:

• Individuals (households)
• Businesses or non-profit organizations that have direct employment relationships (recruitment, management, salary payment)

❌ Invalid if it is:

• brokerage firm
• Diplomatic agency
• The employer has a history of violations.
• You or a family member (spouse, parents, children)

Application form from the employer:

• Household: IMM 0267
• Business: IMM 0268

Sign by hand or electronically. Upload with your application.

How to apply

• Submit online via the Permanent Residence (PR) Portal
• You need to create an account or log in first.

Number of applications accepted (2025–2026)

HCWIP: Child Care

HCWIP: Home Support

❓ Quick Questions & Answers (Q&A)

1. What if I am in Canada but lose my legal status?
👉 You can still apply if you meet the eligibility requirements under public policy .

2. Can I use my self-employment experience to apply?
No. Self-employment experience is not accepted .

3. Is a job offer from a relative acceptable?
👉 No. Relatives (spouse, parents, children, etc.) cannot be employers .

4. Can I use the online learning materials for my caregiving course?
👉 No. Only in-person classes are accepted .

5. I have qualifications obtained outside of Canada; do I need an ECA?
👉 Yes, if used to fulfill educational requirements. If used only for training purposes, it is not needed .

6. Can siblings be employers?
Okay .

According to the current regulations of the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWIP) program, only your spouse, parents, grandparents, or children are not eligible to be an employer.

Siblings are not on the exclusion list , so they can be eligible employers , provided that:

• The job matches the required NOC code (44100 or 44101).
• Working from home (not in a care facility)
• They really need a caregiver and are able to afford the salary.
• They comply with Canadian labor and immigration laws.
• Do you have a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number (if you are privately hired)?

📌 However , IRCC may request additional evidence to prove that the employment relationship is genuine and not fraudulent .

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