Home Care Worker Home Support Pilot hits cap on first day open

Foreign nationals can no longer submit online applications for permanent residency under the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Home Support (HCWP:HS).

See if you're eligible for the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot

The HCWP:HS hit its cap at around 2:25pm Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on March 31, 2025, the same day on which it first opened to accept applications under the Workers in Canada Stream.

At the time of writing, applications through alternate formats (including paper, braille, and large print-based applications) are still being accepted.

Note: In most cases, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires that applicants submit their application via the online permanent residence portal. Alternate format applications are intended for those who are unable to apply online and require special accommodations to complete their application.

The cap for this year was 2,750, with 150 spots reserved for out-of-status workers.

The pilot program is expected to re-open in 2026.

The government has not yet announced when the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Home Support - Applicants Not working in Canada Stream will open.

The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Child Care also hit its cap on online applications on the afternoon of March 31.

Federal immigration pilot programs generally run for five years.

Occasionally, a successful pilot may lead to the establishment of a permanent immigration pathway.

See if you're eligible for the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot