Canada closes the PR pathway for caregivers outside the country, i.e., the stream for “applicants not working in Canada” under the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWP) has officially been closed, according to the latest update on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) website.
When the HCWP was first introduced, both its Home Support and Child Care pilot streams were expected to include an intake pathway for caregivers outside Canada, with more details to be announced later. However, on September 29, 2025, IRCC quietly updated its website to show this stream as “closed,” without it ever opening to applications.
Other Immigration Options For Caregivers Abroad
Despite the closure of this stream, caregivers outside Canada are not entirely without options in 2025.
For those who qualify under National Occupation Classification (NOC) 33102 – Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates, Express Entry continues to offer a strong immigration pathway. These occupations fall under the healthcare and social services category, which is included in IRCC’s category-based draws. The most recent healthcare draw in Express Entry had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score of 470.
For other home care professionals who would have otherwise been eligible for the HCWP, several Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) still welcome candidates under caregiver-related NOC codes.
Some of the active PNP streams that continue to invite 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
- Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) Skilled Worker category
Note that the NBPNP Priority Occupations stream is restricted to NOC codes 33102, 44101, and 42202. Notably, NOC code 44100 (Home child care providers) is not eligible under this stream.
Why IRCC Closed The HCWP International Stream?
Canada closes the PR pathway for caregivers outside the country. IRCC has not issued a direct explanation for closing the international intake of the HCWP. However, information from the most recent Minister Transition Binder provides insight into the decision.
As of September 11, 2025, IRCC reported an inventory of 34,400 caregiver applications across all its caregiver-related pilots. This includes not only the HCWP but also legacy programs such as the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot.
Out of this massive inventory, the department has indicated that it only plans to process 14% (4,816 applications) in 2025. From January 1 to September 11, around 4,200 caregivers and their families had already been granted permanent residence, meaning IRCC plans to process only about 600 more applications before the year ends – excluding any that may be refused.
The imbalance between applications received and the limited processing capacity is a likely reason IRCC decided to close the stream before it even launched.
Caregiver Admissions Targets And Overall Priorities
IRCC’s Immigration Levels Plan allocates a total of 10,920 new permanent residents under all federal economic pilots combined for 2025. This number includes not only caregivers but also successful applicants and their dependents under:
- The Agri-Food Pilot
- The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot
- The Start-up Visa Program
- The Caregiver Pilots
For the HCWP specifically, IRCC had earlier announced a goal of welcoming 2,750 new permanent residents through its in-Canada caregiver intake.
With these numbers in mind, it becomes clear that IRCC is prioritizing existing temporary residents already in the country. This aligns with the federal government’s broader immigration strategy, which emphasizes transitioning workers already in Canada to permanent residency.
For example, recent Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws under Express Entry reflect this shift, as do instructions to provinces requiring that 75% of PNP nominations go to candidates already living and working in Canada.
Thus, while the closure of the HCWP’s international intake may feel discouraging for caregivers abroad, there are still opportunities available through Express Entry and select PNPs. However, the decision reflects Canada’s ongoing focus on reducing backlogs and supporting the transition of in-country temporary residents to permanent status.
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