• by Career Wings Immigration Services Ltd.

Published by Career Wings Immigration Services Ltd. Calgary Alberta – Expert Guidance for Caregivers and Skilled Workers

Effective September 29, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officially closed the international stream of the Home Care Worker Pilot Program (HCWP). This move ends the direct pathway to permanent residence (PR) for caregivers applying from outside Canada under this federal pilot.

At Career Wings Immigration Calgary, we understand how disappointing this news may be for caregivers around the world who dreamed of starting a new life in Canada. However, other immigration options remain open and active in 2025. Here’s what this change means and what you can do next.

What Has Been Closed

The “Applicants Not Working in Canada” stream under both the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot was originally planned as a future intake category but never actually opened. As of September 29, 2025, IRCC has officially listed it as closed on its website.

This means that caregivers outside Canada can no longer apply for PR through these specific federal caregiver pilot streams.

Why Did IRCC Close the Overseas Stream?

Although IRCC hasn’t released a formal statement, data and recent policy directions point to several reasons:

• Large backlog: As of September 11, 2025, over 34,400 caregiver applications remain pending from previous programs.
• Processing limits: IRCC plans to finalize only 4,816 caregiver applications in 2025—about 14% of the existing inventory.
• Shift toward in-Canada applicants: Canada’s immigration strategy increasingly focuses on temporary residents already in Canada, consistent with the government’s Canadian Experience Class (CEC) priorities and provincial nomination trends (75% of nominations now go to in-Canada candidates).

Alternative Immigration Options for Caregivers Outside Canada (2025)

Even though the overseas HCWP stream has closed, caregivers still have strong immigration opportunities through federal and provincial programs.

1. Express Entry – Healthcare Category-Based Selection

If your occupation falls under NOC 33102 (Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates), you may qualify for Canada’s category-based Express Entry draws targeting healthcare professionals.
• Recent CRS cut-off: 470
• Priority processing for healthcare and essential worker roles
• Best suited for caregivers with education, English/French proficiency, and work experience

2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) for Caregivers

Several provinces continue to invite and nominate caregivers under specific streams:
• Manitoba PNP (MPNP): Skilled Worker Overseas Stream
• Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP): Employer Job Offer – Foreign Worker Stream
• New Brunswick PNP (NBPNP): Priority Occupations Stream (for NOC 33102, 44101, 42202 only)
• Newfoundland and Labrador PNP (NLPNP): Skilled Worker Category

Note: NOC 44100 (Home Child Care Providers) is not currently eligible under NBPNP.

Canada’s 2025 Immigration Priorities

Canada’s permanent residence (PR) targets for 2025 include 10,920 new admissions under its federal economic pilot programs. These include:
• Agri-Food Pilot
• Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot
• Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)
• Francophone Community Immigration Pilot
• Caregiver Pilots

This number covers both principal applicants and accompanying family members, signaling a tighter but still ongoing federal caregiver presence within the broader immigration framework.

What Caregivers Should Do Now

If you’re a caregiver outside Canada, the closing of the HCWP overseas stream means it’s time to pivot strategically. Here’s what you can do:
✔ Evaluate your Express Entry eligibility under healthcare-related NOC codes
✔ Target provincial programs that continue to nominate caregivers
✔ Improve your CRS score through language tests and credential assessments
✔ Work with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) for a customized strategy

At Career Wings Immigration, we help caregivers stay informed, explore alternative programs, and build strong cases for Canadian immigration success.

Ready to Immigrate to Canada as a Caregiver in 2025?

Book a consultation with our licensed RCICs to evaluate your options and create a strong immigration plan tailored to your profile.

Contact Career Wings Immigration Services Ltd. Calgary Alberta
📧 info@careerwingsimmigration.com
🌐 www.careerwingsimmigration.com
📲 WhatsApp / Call: +1-778-881-6000