Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot (HCWIP): Home Support Stream

The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot (HCWIP) is a new federal Caregiver visa program launched on March 31, 2025, designed to address Canada’s shortage of caregivers.

• No Canadian work experience requirement (foreign experience accepted)
• Lower language requirements (CLB/NCLC 4)
• Two dedicated application streams
• Priority processing for eligible candidates

Application Streams

Stream 1: Workers in Canada

This is for applicants who currently reside in Canada and have valid work authorization, including a work permit, maintained status, or public policy. Applicants may be temporarily outside Canada, such as for travel, but must demonstrate their primary residence in Canada.

Stream 2: Applicants Outside Canada

• Status: Currently closed
• Will reopen at a later date.
• Requires proof of settlement funds.
• Future Requirements: Proof of settlement funds, Valid job offer

Eligibility Requirements for Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot (HCWIP): Child Care

1. Residency Requirement

Applicants must intend to reside and work in any Canadian province or territory except Quebec.

2. Language Proficiency

Minimum language scores required:

• English: CLB 4 in all abilities (IELTS: 4.0 Reading, 4.5 Writing, 4.5 Listening, 4.0 Speaking)
• French: NCLC 4

Note: Test results must be less than 2 years old at the time of application.

3. Education

• Canadian high school diploma OR
• Foreign equivalent (requires Educational Credential Assessment)

4. Work Experience or Training

Option A: Work Experience: 6 months of full-time (30+ hrs/week) experience within the past 3 years
Must be in NOC 44101 (Home support workers) or NOC 33102 (Nurse aides)

Experience must be:

• Continuous (no gaps)
• Authorized (if gained in Canada)
• Paid employment (volunteer work excluded)

Excluded Experience:

• Work in institutional settings such as nursing homes
• Self-employment
• Work for family members
• Unauthorized work in Canada

Option B: Training: Relevant training credentials have been completed within the past 2 years. It must include:

• Minimum 15 hours/week of classroom instruction
• In-person training (online courses excluded)
• Curriculum specific to home support, caregiving, or patient care

5. Job Offer

• Full-time position (minimum 30 hours per week) from an eligible Canadian employer
• Must match the duties of NOC 44101 (Home support workers). It must be:
• In a non-institutional setting
• Permanent with no set end date
• Paying at or above the Job Bank’s median wage for that occupation in the province

Employer Requirements

• Must have a CRA business number
• If a business must have provided care services for at least 1 year before a job offer
• Cannot be a recruitment agency, diplomatic mission, family member, or self-employment

6. Admissibility

Must meet general admissibility requirements for Canadian immigration, including:

• Medical examination
• Criminal background checks
• No serious inadmissibility concerns

7. Application Completeness

• All forms must be properly completed and signed
• All supporting documents must be included
• Application fees must be paid in full

How to apply for Caregiver Visa in Canada?

To submit an online application for a Canada caregiver visa, you typically need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Document Preparation

• Language test results
• Educational documents
• Work experience letters
• Job offer letter

Step 2: Online Application

• Create PR Portal account
• Complete application forms
• Upload supporting documents
• Pay processing fees ($1,525+ per applicant)

Step 3: Post-Submission

• Biometrics collection
• Medical examination
• Background verification

Employer Requirements

Eligible Employers

• Private households
• Healthcare service providers
• Non-profit organizations

Employer Obligations

• Legal Compliance
• Register with CRA
• Obtain business number
• Comply with provincial labour laws

Employment Standards

• Provide minimum wage
• Offer statutory benefits
• Maintain proper records
• Recruitment Restrictions
• No fees charged to workers
• No third-party recruiters

HCWIP Childcare Pilot Program Advantages

Family Inclusion

• Spouses receive open work permits
• Children access public education

Transition to PR

• No second application is required
• Direct pathway after meeting requirements

Labour Mobility

• Work for multiple employers
• Change jobs without penalty

The Caregiver Visa Canada serves as an excellent immigration route for child care providers and home support workers. If you intend to apply for Caregiver immigration programs, you can contact our experts here. Our skilled team of Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants is familiar with Caregiver Visa Pilot Programs and can help you optimize your application.