The pathway for caregivers abroad to apply for permanent residence through the Home Care Worker Pilots has been closed. The “applicants not working in Canada” option was marked as closed on September 29, 2025, without ever opening.
A separate intake for caregivers already in Canada remains in place but has reached its cap for 2025, meaning no new applications can be submitted this year.
Other options for caregivers outside Canada
Caregivers abroad can still explore alternatives. Occupations such as nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates (NOC 33102) remain eligible for Express Entry’s healthcare draws, which most recently required a score of 470. Provincial nominee programs also continue to invite caregivers under certain NOC codes, including streams in Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Reason for the closure
The overseas option was cancelled against the backdrop of a large backlog. More than 34,000 caregiver applications remain in the system, far more than the number expected to be processed this year. With fewer than 5,000 cases set to be finalized in 2025.
