Canada's Care Worker Immigration Pilot Program to be Reformed in 2025, Permanent Residency and Work
8 Apr 2025
On March 22, Immigration Canada announced the next five-year plan for the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot Program. Based on this plan, on March 31, 2025, the reformed immigration program for child care and home support was finally implemented. As expected, there was a large number of applicants and some difficulties in applying. As such, it is the program that is currently attracting the most attention. In particular, this reform has changed significantly from the structure of applying for permanent residency after employment, which was pointed out as the biggest drawback of the previous Caregiver program, to Stream B, which allows you to enter the country and work after being approved for permanent residency. Let's take a closer look at how the reformed program is structured in this column.
The reformed program is divided into Stream A and Stream B. While both allow you to apply for permanent residency, they have different approaches. Stream A is similar to the previous program, where you can work and build your career in Canada and then apply for permanent residency, while Stream B allows you to apply to immigrate to Canada after qualifying abroad and receive permanent residency first. Stream B is a great opportunity for internationally experienced or educated applicants, especially since it allows you to bring your family with you.
In terms of eligibility, the criteria are clear: both streams require an English language score of CLB 4 or higher, a high school diploma or certificate of completion, and vocational training or relevant work experience. Work experience requires a minimum of six consecutive months of full-time work experience, and excludes experience gained while under the age of 18, while studying, and self-employment. Additionally, to demonstrate eligibility through education, you must have completed a full-time program of at least six months of full-time classes, which must be face-to-face.
The job offers that immigrants receive are subject to strict criteria. The employer must be an individual or a corporation with a Canada Revenue Agency registration number, excluding employers who are related to the applicant or who are labor suppliers. The employer must directly manage the applicant's working conditions, offer a wage at or above the median wage for the occupation, and offer long-term, full-time employment.
The number of jobs available per year has also been detailed. From 2025 to 2030, 5,500 permanent residency applications will be processed annually, with 2,750 each for Child Care and Home Support, and the ratio of Stream A to B is also specified. Notably, from 2027, Stream B will also accept applications, allowing 1,235 online applications per year for Child Care and Home Support. This means that international applicants through Stream B will be able to apply for permanent residency in the thousands per year.
The changes also clearly differentiate the existing program from the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). This is because the Caregiver Program does not require an LMIA to immigrate and, if certain qualifications are met, Stream B applications are allowed based on education instead of work experience, a flexible structure that opens the door to many international applicants.
Finally, Immigration has stated that all applications will be processed on the basis of the date of receipt of the application, and that applications that exceed the quota will be returned with a full refund. It has also stated that exception applications based on humanitarian grounds will not be processed under this notice.
The significance of this reform is that it provides a new and clear pathway to permanent residency in Canada, particularly for those with work experience and relevant education from abroad. This policy change is positive as it addresses the structural limitations of the existing program and paves the way for more applicants to start a stable life in Canada. Those considering immigrating to Canada as a caregiver will want to take a close look at the changes and develop a strategy that fits their needs.
On March 22, Immigration Canada announced the next five-year plan for the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot Program. Based on this plan, on March 31, 2025, the reformed immigration program for child care and home support was finally implemented. As expected, there was a large number of applicants and some difficulties in applying. As such, it is the program that is currently attracting the most attention. In particular, this reform has changed significantly from the structure of applying for permanent residency after employment, which was pointed out as the biggest drawback of the previous Caregiver program, to Stream B, which allows you to enter the country and work after being approved for permanent residency. Let's take a closer look at how the reformed program is structured in this column.
The reformed program is divided into Stream A and Stream B. While both allow you to apply for permanent residency, they have different approaches. Stream A is similar to the previous program, where you can work and build your career in Canada and then apply for permanent residency, while Stream B allows you to apply to immigrate to Canada after qualifying abroad and receive permanent residency first. Stream B is a great opportunity for internationally experienced or educated applicants, especially since it allows you to bring your family with you.
In terms of eligibility, the criteria are clear: both streams require an English language score of CLB 4 or higher, a high school diploma or certificate of completion, and vocational training or relevant work experience. Work experience requires a minimum of six consecutive months of full-time work experience, and excludes experience gained while under the age of 18, while studying, and self-employment. Additionally, to demonstrate eligibility through education, you must have completed a full-time program of at least six months of full-time classes, which must be face-to-face.
The job offers that immigrants receive are subject to strict criteria. The employer must be an individual or a corporation with a Canada Revenue Agency registration number, excluding employers who are related to the applicant or who are labor suppliers. The employer must directly manage the applicant's working conditions, offer a wage at or above the median wage for the occupation, and offer long-term, full-time employment.
The number of jobs available per year has also been detailed. From 2025 to 2030, 5,500 permanent residency applications will be processed annually, with 2,750 each for Child Care and Home Support, and the ratio of Stream A to B is also specified. Notably, from 2027, Stream B will also accept applications, allowing 1,235 online applications per year for Child Care and Home Support. This means that international applicants through Stream B will be able to apply for permanent residency in the thousands per year.
The changes also clearly differentiate the existing program from the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). This is because the Caregiver Program does not require an LMIA to immigrate and, if certain qualifications are met, Stream B applications are allowed based on education instead of work experience, a flexible structure that opens the door to many international applicants.
Finally, Immigration has stated that all applications will be processed on the basis of the date of receipt of the application, and that applications that exceed the quota will be returned with a full refund. It has also stated that exception applications based on humanitarian grounds will not be processed under this notice.
The significance of this reform is that it provides a new and clear pathway to permanent residency in Canada, particularly for those with work experience and relevant education from abroad. This policy change is positive as it addresses the structural limitations of the existing program and paves the way for more applicants to start a stable life in Canada. Those considering immigrating to Canada as a caregiver will want to take a close look at the changes and develop a strategy that fits their needs.