Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced the launch of a new caregiver programme for foreign workers, starting March 31, 2025. This initiative will replace the discontinued Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot, which stopped accepting applications on June 17, 2024.
Marc Miller, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, described the new programme as a significant improvement, ensuring a smoother and more flexible immigration process for caregivers.
Key Features of the New Caregiver Pilots
1. Permanent Residency on Arrival:
Participants will receive permanent residency immediately upon arrival in Canada, eliminating delays faced in older programmes.
2. Flexible Work Options:
Caregivers can choose to work part-time or in temporary roles, providing care to semi-independent individuals or those recovering from illnesses.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the programme, applicants must meet the following requirements:
| Eligibility Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Language Proficiency | Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 or higher (IELTS: 4.5 in listening, 3.5 in reading, 4 in writing and speaking). |
| Education | Canadian high school diploma or equivalent, validated through an Education Credential Assessment (ECA). |
| Work Experience | Relevant and recent experience in caregiving. |
| Job Offer | A secured full-time job offer in Canada’s home care sector. |
Application and Quota Details
IRCC expects to receive 4,000 to 5,000 applications for the new caregiver pilots in 2025. The overall immigration quota under the pilot immigration programme will be reduced slightly, from 10,920 in 2024 to 10,875 in 2025, as per the Immigration Levels Plan.
Why Canada Needs More Caregivers
Canada’s ageing population has created an urgent demand for professional caregivers, particularly in home care services. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), the number of seniors has more than tripled over the past 40 years. This growth is expected to continue, with significant implications for healthcare services.
Senior Population Growth Highlights:
| Year | Population of Seniors (65+) | Projection |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 2 million | – |
| 1997 | 3.5 million | – |
| 2017 | 6.2 million | – |
| 2037 | 10.4 million (projected) | 68% increase from 2017. |
Older Seniors (75+):
This demographic is growing faster than the overall senior population. By 2037, the number of older seniors will be 2.1 times its size in 2017.
Provincial and Territorial Growth for Seniors (75+ by 2037):
| Region | Projected Growth Multiplier |
|---|---|
| Newfoundland & Labrador | 2.2x |
| Prince Edward Island | 2.3x |
| Nova Scotia | 2.1x |
| New Brunswick | 2.1x |
| Quebec | 2.0x |
| Ontario | 2.1x |
| Manitoba | 2.0x |
| Saskatchewan | 1.9x |
| Alberta | 2.8x |
| British Columbia | 2.1x |
| Yukon | 2.9x |
| Northwest Territories | 3.3x |
| Nunavut | 5.7x |
Programmes No Longer Available
With the launch of the new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots, the following caregiver pathways are no longer operational:
| Discontinued Programme | Last Accepting Applications |
|---|---|
| Home Child Care Provider Pilot | June 17, 2024 |
| Home Support Worker Pilot | June 17, 2024 |
| Live-in Caregiver Programme (LCP) | Ended in 2014 |
| Caring for Children Programme | June 18, 2019 |
| Caring for People with High Medical Needs | June 18, 2019 |
Conclusion
The new caregiver programme underscores Canada’s commitment to meeting its growing demand for professional home care services while providing a streamlined pathway for foreign workers to secure permanent residency. This initiative not only supports the ageing population but also offers caregivers more flexibility and security in their professional and personal lives. Applicants are advised to stay updated with IRCC guidelines to avoid misinformation or fraudulent activities.
