Caregiver Program Canada 2026: Pilots Paused, and the PR Alternatives That Still Work

Why did IRCC pause the caregiver pilots?

Short answer: Demand far exceeded the limited number of spaces. Between January and September 2025, roughly 4,200 caregivers became permanent residents through the pilots, which filled the available room quickly. IRCC paused new intake so it could finish processing the applications already in its inventory rather than keep adding to a backlog. The pause is described as ongoing, with no confirmed reopening date. IRCC has signalled that caregiver pathways remain a priority, so a future intake is possible, but nothing is guaranteed and no date has been published.

What are the alternatives if you want PR as a caregiver?

Short answer: The strongest route right now is a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Several provinces nominate home care workers and other healthcare roles for permanent residence, often through employer-driven or in-demand-occupation streams. A nomination adds a powerful boost to a permanent residence application. While you build toward a nomination, a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) based work permit can let you work legally as a caregiver in Canada.

Provinces that have nominated home care or healthcare workers include Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Saskatchewan, each through its own employer-driven or in-demand streams. Programs and eligibility change often, so confirm the current criteria for your province before you act. Our provincial nominee overview is a useful starting point, and you can track timelines on our processing times page.

Who is eligible for the caregiver program in Canada?

Short answer: When the federal pilots were open, eligibility centred on a genuine job offer in a caregiving role, at least six months of relevant experience or training, and CLB 4 language ability. Provincial pathways set their own rules, which usually include a job offer from an employer in that province, relevant work experience, and minimum language and sometimes education requirements. Because the federal pilots are paused, the practical eligibility question today is whether you qualify for a provincial stream or a work permit, not the closed pilot. An honest assessment of your job offer, experience, and language level is the right first step.

How can Go Far Global help caregivers find a PR pathway?

Short answer: Go Far Global is a licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) firm in Toronto. We map your real options now that the federal pilots are paused, including which provincial nominee streams fit your job offer and experience, whether an LMIA-based work permit makes sense, and how to position yourself for a future pilot if one reopens. The caregiver landscape changes quickly, and the worst outcome is waiting for a program that is not coming back soon when a provincial route was open the whole time.

If you are a caregiver wondering what is still possible, book a consultation and we will build a personal plan around your situation. You can also read our overview of work permit options while you plan.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Caregiver and provincial programs change frequently. Confirm the current rules for your situation with a licensed representative or on the official IRCC website before you apply.

Frequently asked questions

Is the caregiver program open in Canada in 2026?

No. IRCC paused new intake to the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots in December 2025, and the pilots will not reopen in March 2026 as previously expected. Applications submitted before the pause are still being processed. New applicants cannot start a federal caregiver pilot application right now, but several provincial nominee streams and LMIA-based work permits remain open as alternative pathways for caregivers.

Who is eligible for the caregiver program in Canada?

Under the paused federal pilots, applicants generally needed a valid full-time caregiving job offer, at least six months of relevant experience or training, and Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4. Provincial nominee streams set their own rules, usually a job offer in that province, relevant experience, and minimum language ability. Since the federal pilots are paused, eligibility today depends mainly on whether you qualify for a provincial stream or a work permit.

How much is caregiver pay per hour in Canada?

Caregiver wages vary by province, role, and employer, and commonly fall in a range from roughly the provincial minimum wage up to around the high twenties per hour for experienced workers. Home child care providers (NOC 44100) and home support workers (NOC 44101) are paid hourly in most cases. Always confirm the wage in your specific job offer, since it must meet provincial standards and any program requirements that apply.

Can I still come to Canada as a caregiver if the pilots are paused?

Yes, in many cases. While you cannot start a new federal caregiver pilot application, you may be able to work in Canada as a caregiver through a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) based work permit, and you may qualify for a Provincial Nominee Program stream that leads to permanent residence. The right path depends on your job offer, experience, and the province. A licensed representative can confirm which options realistically apply to you.

Sources

• Government of Canada, home care workers (caregivers)
• Government of Canada, who can apply for the Home Care Worker pilots
• Government of Canada, closed Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot