Canada as a caregiver (home care)
IRCC lists the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots as closed to new applications; older caregiver pilots also closed. You can still explore working temporarily as a caregiver with a valid work permit. Always confirm the live caregiver hub before you plan.
Canada offers several **caregiver** routes on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) pages. **Permanent residence** streams for home care have been **closed to new applications** at various times: the caregiver hub currently labels the **Home Care Worker Immigration pilots** as closed, and the earlier **Home Child Care Provider** and **Home Support Worker** pilots ended **June 17, 2024** (IRCC continues to process applications received on or before that end date where applicable).
If you are exploring **coming to Canada now**, the pathway that remains active on Canada.ca for many people is to **work temporarily** as a caregiver: you typically need a **job offer**, often a **Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)** from the employer unless an exemption applies, and an approved **work permit**. Details, occupation codes, and steps are on IRCC’s **Work temporarily as a caregiver** page.
Before you commit to a plan, read the **Caregivers** hub and the specific program pages linked there. Rules, fees, and whether pilot intake **reopens** can change; this guide is a snapshot for orientation only and is **not legal advice**.
- Passport or travel documentOften required
Valid passport or equivalent; validity should cover your intended stay and any visa or permit rules IRCC applies.
- Employer offer and Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) when requiredOften required
For many caregiver work permits, the employer may need a positive or neutral LMIA before you apply for a work permit, unless an LMIA exemption applies to your situation.
- Work permit application forms and supporting documentsOften required
Complete the current forms for a work permit from outside Canada or inside Canada, as applicable; include family information and any dependants per instructions.
- Proof of qualifications and experienceOften required
Education, training, or experience in childcare or home support as your employer and IRCC instructions require for your NOC or job offer.
- Medical exam (if instructed)
IRCC may require an immigration medical exam for work in certain occupations or after you apply—follow your instruction letter.
- Police certificates (if required)
Criminal background checks from countries where you have lived, when requested for your application type.
- Biometrics
If biometrics are required, book and attend an appointment and pay the biometrics fee when applicable.
- Work permit and other IRCC fees change over time. Use the official IRCC fee list and confirm amounts before you pay.
- Biometrics fee applies when required; pay fees as instructed in your application account or paper instructions.
- Employers may have separate costs (for example LMIA-related fees through Employment and Social Development Canada where applicable).
- If a permanent residence caregiver pilot reopens, fees and payment steps will be listed on that program page—always use the live Canada.ca instructions.
- As shown on the IRCC caregivers hub, the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots are currently marked Closed for applying for permanent residence and for hiring through those pilots. IRCC may publish updates when intake reopens or changes.
- The previous Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot ended June 17, 2024; IRCC continues to process applications received on or before that date for eligible cases.
- Older caregiver programs (for example Caring for Children, Caring for People with High Medical Needs, Interim Pathway, Live-in Caregiver Program) are closed to new applicants except where IRCC lists a narrow exception—check the specific program page.
- Working temporarily as a caregiver in Canada normally requires a valid work permit based on a qualifying job offer and, when required, a positive or neutral LMIA or other legal basis for work.
- National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes for home care work (for example home child care providers and home support workers) matter for program rules—confirm the NOC that matches your job with your employer and IRCC.
- Informational only—not legal advice. Use official IRCC tools, the employer, and qualified professionals for your situation.
Disclaimer
This guide is for general information only. Immigration rules change frequently. Always confirm requirements with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or a regulated Canadian immigration consultant or lawyer before submitting an application.