Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWIP), you must meet the following requirements:
- Intend to live and work in Canada, outside of Quebec.
- Satisfy the eligibility criteria specific to your chosen application stream.
- Demonstrate the required level of language proficiency.
- Fulfill the necessary educational qualifications.
- Possess sufficient relevant work experience or completed training.
- Secure a valid job offer as a home child care provider or home support worker.
- Meet Canada’s admissibility requirements.
Eligibility by Stream
You may qualify for one of two available streams.
Currently reside in Canada
- If you are temporarily outside Canada (e.g., on vacation), you must demonstrate that Canada is your primary residence.
Be authorized to work full-time in Canada in a non-seasonal occupation through one of the following:
- A valid work permit
- Maintained status
- Public policies
Ineligible Work Authorizations for This Stream
If you do not have work authorization through one of the specified options, you are not eligible for this stream. For example, you do not qualify if you are working without a work permit as:
- A business visitor
- Under the conditions of your study permit
- Living in Canada Without Valid Work Authorization
You may still qualify for the pilots under a public policy. Learn more about the additional requirements for out-of-status or unauthorized workers.
Applicants Not Working in Canada – Closed
The stream for applicants not currently working in Canada will open at a later date.
To qualify for this stream, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family upon settling in Canada.
Learn more about the required proof of funds.
Language Requirements
You must complete a language test to demonstrate that you meet the minimum Level 4 requirement in all four language skills—writing, reading, listening, and speaking—in either English or French.
Language proficiency is assessed using:
- Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) for English
- Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) for French
Education Requirements
You must have completed the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma or higher. If your education was completed outside Canada, you must obtain an educational credential assessment (ECA) to confirm that it meets the Canadian high school diploma standard or higher.
You must have either relevant work experience or training in home child care or home support to qualify.
Depending on the pilot you apply to (Child Care or Home Support), you must have work experience or training in specific National Occupational Classifications (NOCs).
Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Child Care
Home Child Care Providers (NOC 44100)
Early Childhood Educators and Assistants (NOC 42202)
HCWIP: Home Support
- Home support workers, caregivers, and related occupations (NOC 44101)
- Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates (NOC 33102)
Required Qualifications
- At least 6 months of continuous, full-time, relevant work experience within the past 3 years.
- A completed relevant training credential obtained within the past 2 years.
