Canada’s caregiver immigration landscape has entered a new chapter. The stream of the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWP) meant for applicants outside Canada is now officially closed, as confirmed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The closure appeared on September 29, 2025 and marked the end of this pilot program.

When first announced, the HCWP promised two entry routes: one for caregivers already working in Canada and another for those abroad. While the domestic stream has been running, the international intake remained “to be announced” for years, until it was recently marked as closed without notice.

Shifting Priorities

IRCC has not released a formal explanation. Yet internal documents suggest the decision was influenced by overwhelming backlogs. As of September 2025, the department held more than 34,000 pending caregiver applications. Only about 4,800 are expected to be finalized this year, leaving tens of thousands in limbo. With such figures, new international intakes would have only deepened the backlog.

This decision also reflects a broader policy direction. Canada is focusing on granting permanent residence to people already living and working in the country. Express Entry draws for the Canadian Experience Class and new provincial mandates prioritizing in-Canada candidates show this shift clearly. The closure of the overseas caregiver intake follows that same pattern.

What Remains for Caregivers Abroad

While the international caregiver stream is gone, opportunities still exist. Caregivers who qualify under NOC 33102 (nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates) remain eligible for Express Entry’s healthcare category draws. The most recent draw in this category required a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 470.

Beyond Express Entry, several provinces continue to welcome applicants in caregiving roles through their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs):

• Manitoba’s Skilled Worker Overseas stream
• Ontario’s Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream
• New Brunswick’s Priority Occupations stream 
• Newfoundland and Labrador’s Skilled Worker category
• Nova Scotia’s International Graduates in Demand Stream

Although these programs can be competitive and employer-driven, they still offer legitimate routes for qualified applicants who can secure employment before applying.

What This Means Going Forward

Canada’s need for care professionals has not disappeared. The country continues to face shortages in healthcare and home support sectors. However, IRCC’s approach has shifted from global recruitment to internal stabilization. The government’s emphasis is now on those who have already integrated into Canadian communities and workplaces.

For caregivers overseas, this means rethinking strategy. Pathways such as studying in Canada, gaining local experience through temporary work permits, or securing a provincial job offer may now be the most reliable routes to permanent residence.