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BIG UPDATE: Canada Closes PR Pathway for Caregivers Outside Canada | What You Can Do Now!

AdminOctober 8

Canada Closes Permanent Residence Pathway for Caregivers Outside the Country: What It Means for Aspiring Applicants

Canada has officially closed the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWP) stream for caregivers not currently working in Canada, according to the latest update from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

This marks a significant development for international caregivers who had been waiting for an opportunity to apply for permanent residence (PR) through this pathway.

Applicants Not Working in Canada” Stream Now Closed

When the Home Care Worker Pilots were first launched, they included two options — Home Support Worker and Child Care Worker — both intended to accept applications from caregivers outside of Canada.

However, the “applicants not working in Canada” intake never officially opened. On September 29, 2025, IRCC updated its website to mark the stream as “closed”, ending hopes for those waiting to apply from abroad.

This closure has raised many questions among aspiring caregivers — especially those who had prepared to apply from countries such as the Philippines, India, Nigeria, and other caregiver source regions.

Immigration Options Still Available for Caregivers Outside Canada

While this closure may be disappointing, caregivers still have several alternative immigration pathways available to pursue permanent residence in Canada.

1. Express Entry Pathway for Healthcare Workers

If you are a caregiver who works as a nurse aide, orderly, or patient service associate (NOC 33102), you may still qualify under the Express Entry system — specifically through category-based draws targeting the Healthcare and Social Services category.

For example, in the latest Express Entry healthcare draw, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score was 470.

Real-life example:
Maria, a caregiver from the Philippines with experience as a patient service associate, recently qualified under the Healthcare category draw. By achieving a CRS score above 470, she secured an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence without needing to go through the HCWP stream.

2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) for Caregivers

Many Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) continue to invite home care workers and caregivers under specific NOC codes. These programs allow provinces to select candidates based on local labor shortages and employer needs.

Some of the active PNP options for caregivers include:

  • Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) – Skilled Worker Overseas Stream

  • Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) – Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream

  • New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) – Priority Occupations Stream (for NOC 33102, 44101, and 42202)

  • Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) – Skilled Worker Category

Note: The NBPNP Priority Occupations Stream does not include NOC 44100 (Home Child Care Providers).

Example:
Ravi, an Indian caregiver with over five years of experience providing home support for seniors, received a job offer from a healthcare facility in Manitoba. He applied through the MPNP Skilled Worker Overseas stream and was nominated for PR — showing that caregivers outside Canada still have viable pathways through PNPs.

Why IRCC Closed the International Caregiver Stream

IRCC has not released an official explanation for the closure of the “applicants not working in Canada” stream. However, recent immigration data provides strong clues.

A Massive Backlog of Caregiver Applications

According to IRCC’s Minister Transition Binder (September 2025), the department had a backlog of 34,400 caregiver applications under various caregiver pilot programs — including the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot.

Out of these, IRCC planned to process only 14% (around 4,816 applications) in 2025. As of mid-September, 4,200 caregivers had already become permanent residents through these programs — leaving limited room for new applications this year.

Limited PR Quota Under Federal Economic Pilots

In its 2025 Immigration Levels Plan, IRCC set a total quota of 10,920 permanent residents for all economic federal pilot programs combined.

This includes admissions under:

  • The Agri-Food Pilot

  • The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP)

  • The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)

  • The Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP)

  • The Caregiver Pilots

Given this limited allocation, it’s clear that IRCC prioritized processing existing applications over opening new ones from abroad.

IRCC’s Shift Toward In-Canada Applicants

Another major factor influencing this decision is IRCC’s policy focus on transitioning temporary residents to permanent residence.

Recent trends, such as CEC-focused Express Entry draws and provincial mandates requiring 75% of nominations for candidates already in Canada, demonstrate the department’s efforts to prioritize those with Canadian work experience.

Example:
Sarah, a home child care provider in Toronto with two years of Canadian experience, recently became eligible for PR under the in-Canada caregiver pilot. IRCC’s approach is clearly favoring workers like Sarah who are already contributing to the Canadian labor market.

What Caregivers Outside Canada Should Do Next

If you are a caregiver currently outside Canada and were hoping to apply through the HCWP, don’t lose hope. There are still ways to build a successful pathway to permanent residence:

  1. Explore Express Entry Healthcare Category Draws – Work toward improving your CRS score through education, language tests (IELTS/CELPIP), and skilled work experience.

  2. Consider Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) – Many provinces continue to accept caregivers through employer-driven pathways.

  3. Gain Canadian Experience First – You can apply for a work permit under an employer-specific LMIA or job offer and later transition to PR through in-Canada programs.

Final Thoughts: Hope Remains for Caregivers Around the World

While the closure of the HCWP international stream may feel discouraging, Canada continues to value the vital contributions of caregivers.

With Express Entry, PNPs, and in-Canada caregiver programs still active, thousands of caregivers continue to achieve their dream of becoming Canadian permanent residents every year.

If you are passionate about helping families, seniors, or children — your dream of immigrating to Canada is still very much alive. It’s just about choosing the right pathway and planning strategically.

Take the Next Step

If you’re unsure which pathway best suits your profile, consider speaking with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) to explore your eligibility for Express Entry, PNPs, or other caregiver-related immigration programs.

Your journey to Canada may take a different route — but with the right guidance, your goal of permanent residence can still become reality.

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