At 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on March 31, 2025, IRCC formally began accepting applications for this year's Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWP), opening the door for foreign nationals hoping to obtain Canadian permanent resident status through this pathway.
According to the plan announced by IRCC, this year's program is divided into two sub-categories: the "HCWP: Child Care Pilot" and the "HCWP: Home Support Pilot," with each category planning to accept 2,750 applications. Notably, IRCC reserved a portion of spots within each pilot (later confirmed to be 150, though earlier information had mentioned 140) specifically for applicants within Canada who may be out of status or working without authorization, demonstrating humanitarian consideration for specific groups.
However, the opening was only for the "Workers in Canada stream." Remarkably, demand was exceptionally high immediately upon the stream's opening.
Just on the opening day, the online application quotas for both sub-programs were filled. Specifically, the online application pathway for the "Home Support category" (HCWP:HS) closed around 2:25 PM EDT that day after reaching its 2,750 application limit. Shortly thereafter, the online application pathway for the "Child Care category" (HCWP:CC) also hit its annual quota limit the same afternoon.
IRCC emphasized that the closure applies to applications submitted through the official online permanent residence application portal. For individuals who cannot use the online system due to exceptional circumstances and need to submit applications in alternative formats (such as paper, Braille, or large print), IRCC is currently still accepting their applications. However, the department clearly stated that online application is the standard method for the vast majority of applicants.
The rapid filling of the quota means that individuals hoping to submit an application online under the "Workers in Canada" category will likely have to wait until the program reopens in 2026.
For the many potential applicants residing outside Canada, IRCC has not yet announced a specific opening date for the "Applicants not working in Canada stream" that they are awaiting.
Federal immigration pilot programs are typically set for a five-year duration. The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots are no exception, designed to test new immigration pathways to meet specific Canadian labour market needs. Based on past experience, if a pilot program proves effective and successful, the federal government sometimes converts it into a permanent immigration program. A successful example of this is the current "Atlantic Immigration Program," which evolved from a pilot.
The fact that the Home Care Worker Pilot Program filled up on its first day undoubtedly underscores Canada's attractiveness to professionals in this field and the strong desire among global applicants to obtain Canadian permanent residency. Future developments, including the opening date for the overseas application stream and the overall trajectory of this pilot program, will continue to be closely watched.
