Who is affected
Anyone planning a new permanent residence application as a caregiver. There is currently no dedicated federal caregiver pilot accepting new applications.
PROGRAM STATUS
Caregiver pilots: current status
All dedicated federal caregiver pilot programs are currently paused to new applications. IRCC's pages show both streams as closed.
PLAIN-LANGUAGE OVERVIEW
The caregiver pilots are paused to new intake
The older Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot closed to new applications in June 2024. Their replacements, the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (Child Care and Home Support streams), launched in 2025 and then had their intake paused by IRCC in December 2025 until further notice.
Both streams are shown as closed on IRCC's website, and no new applications are being accepted under either stream. Applications that were submitted before the pause continue to be processed. IRCC has said only that the pause runs until further notice and that any reopening will be announced publicly.
What the status means
Immigration rules change frequently.
This is a status summary, not a complete program guide. Check the current official listing before making any plans.
What stays valid
Applications submitted before the pause, including under the earlier caregiver programs, continue to be processed by IRCC to completion.
What to watch
Any public IRCC announcement about reopening. Until then, treat the pause as open-ended and plan around routes that are actually accepting applications.
Sensible next steps
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Do not pay for a filing that cannot be submitted
If anyone offers to submit a new application under the paused pilots today, that pathway does not exist. Protect yourself from outdated advice and scams.
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Assess routes that are open
Depending on your work history, options may include provincial healthcare streams, Express Entry category draws for health occupations, or caregiver work permit routes. Each has its own separate rules.
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Keep an existing file healthy
If you already applied, keep your records current and respond to IRCC requests promptly while your application is processed.
Keep ready
If you have an existing application, keeping these organized helps you respond quickly to IRCC. This is not an application checklist.
- IRCC correspondence and application confirmations.
- Job offer and employer records.
- Work experience records and reference letters.
- Language test results and educational credentials.
Avoid these mistakes
Eligibility and evidence both matter. The following points deserve attention; this is not an exhaustive list or a prediction of a decision.
- Paying an agent or agency that claims it can file a new application under the paused pilots.
- Relying on social media posts that promise direct permanent residence on arrival for caregivers.
- Assuming a pause means your existing application is cancelled; accepted files continue to be processed.
- Waiting indefinitely on the pilots without exploring pathways that are open now.
Common questions
Are all caregiver immigration routes closed?
The dedicated federal caregiver pilots are paused to new applications. Other routes, such as provincial streams and caregiver work permits, have their own separate rules and should be assessed individually.
What happens to my submitted caregiver application?
IRCC has confirmed it continues to process applications received before the pause, including applications under the earlier caregiver programs.
When will the pilots reopen?
IRCC has given no public end date and describes the pause as until further notice. Any reopening will be announced publicly by the department.
Can I still work in Canada as a caregiver?
Temporary caregiver work permits are a separate matter from the permanent residence pilots and have their own eligibility rules. Review the current IRCC instructions for temporary caregiver work.
Related guides
Go to the official source
Use the link below for IRCC's current program listings, including paused and closed programs.
Last reviewed: September 2026.
This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. It does not assess your eligibility or guarantee an outcome. A review of your full circumstances and current rules is needed before taking action.
PERSONAL GUIDANCE. PRACTICAL NEXT STEPS.
Plan around the pause
with accurate information.
Discuss your circumstances with Balpreet Singh, RCIC #R525492.