Canada has a well-established and evolving immigration pathway for caregivers — people who provide in-home care for children or support for seniors, adults with disabilities, or people with high medical needs. As of 2024, two permanent caregiver pilot programs are in effect: the Home Child Care Provider (HCCP) pilot and the Home Support Worker (HSW) pilot. Both lead directly to permanent residence (PR) — without requiring the live-in arrangement that characterized the old Live-In Caregiver Program (LCP). This guide covers who qualifies, how the process works, and what changed in 2024.
From the Live-In Caregiver Program to Today
The original Live-In Caregiver Program (LCP) required caregivers to live in their employer's home. It was widely criticized for creating power imbalances and situations that left workers vulnerable to exploitation. The LCP was phased out in November 2014 and replaced with interim programs, and eventually with the current pilot programs launched in 2019 and updated in 2024.
Key changes from the old LCP:
- ✓ No live-in requirement — caregivers can live independently
- ✓ Work permit is employer-specific (closed) when first arriving
- ✓ PR is available after 24 months of qualifying work experience in Canada
- ✓ Two separate streams: childcare and home support
- ✓ Annual admission caps apply (check IRCC for current intake levels)
Note on 2024 changes: IRCC made updates to the caregiver pilots in 2024, including adjustments to intake management and processing. Always verify current program status and caps at the official IRCC website before applying.
Two Caregiver Pathways
Stream 1: Home Child Care Provider (HCCP) Pilot
For workers providing care for children in a private home — including nannies, babysitters, and au pairs who provide primary care for children.
- ✓ NOC code: 44100 (Home Child Care Providers)
- ✓ Work involves providing care, education, and supervision for children in the employer's home
- ✓ Employer must provide a qualifying job offer
Stream 2: Home Support Worker (HSW) Pilot
For workers providing care for seniors, adults with disabilities, or individuals with high medical needs in a private home setting.
- ✓ NOC code: 44101 (Home Support Workers, Housekeepers and Related Occupations)
- ✓ Work involves personal care, assistance with daily living, and household tasks for the care recipient
- ✓ Employer must provide a qualifying job offer
Language Requirements
Language requirements differ between the initial work permit stage and the permanent residence application:
| Stage | Minimum Language Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit application | CLB 4 in English or French (all abilities) | IELTS, CELPIP (English) or TEF, TCF (French) |
| Permanent residence application | CLB 5 in English or French (all abilities) | Higher bar than work permit stage |
Use ClearToEnter's Language Converter to see how your IELTS or TEF scores map to CLB levels.
Work Experience Requirements
To apply for permanent residence under either caregiver pilot, you must accumulate qualifying Canadian work experience:
- ✓ 24 months (approximately 3,900 hours) of qualifying work experience in Canada in the relevant NOC code
- ✓ Work must be authorized — you must hold a valid work permit during this period
- ✓ Experience must be within 36 months before applying for PR
- ✓ Part-time work counts proportionally if below full-time hours
Foreign work experience does not count toward the 24-month requirement. The experience must be gained inside Canada under a valid work authorization.
Education Requirements
- ✓ Minimum: a Canadian secondary school diploma or equivalent
- ✓ If your education was completed outside Canada, you may need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
- ✓ Some employers may require additional childcare or healthcare-specific training or certifications
Step-by-Step Process
- 1
Find a qualifying employer
Secure a job offer from a Canadian employer for an eligible caregiver position (NOC 44100 or 44101). The job offer must be full-time and ongoing.
- 2
Complete a language test
Take an approved language test (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF) and achieve CLB 4 minimum for the work permit application.
- 3
Apply for a work permit
The employer submits a job offer through the IRCC Employer Portal. You then apply for a work permit under the relevant caregiver pilot. The work permit is employer-specific (closed).
- 4
Arrive in Canada and begin work
Work for your designated employer under the terms of your work permit. Track your hours carefully — you need 24 months (approximately 3,900 hours) of qualifying work.
- 5
Accumulate 24 months of experience
Complete your qualifying work experience. Begin upgrading your language to CLB 5 during this period if needed, as the PR application requires a higher language standard.
- 6
Apply for permanent residence
Once eligible, submit your PR application under the caregiver pilot. Include work permit records, employer letters confirming hours worked, language test results (CLB 5), and your education credentials.
- 7
Biometrics, medical, and police certificates
Complete biometrics, an immigration medical exam, and provide police certificates from countries you have lived in.
- 8
Receive your COPR
If approved, you receive your Confirmation of Permanent Residence and become a Canadian permanent resident.
Family Members
Under the current caregiver pilots, your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children may be eligible to accompany you to Canada:
- ✓ Accompanying spouse may be eligible for an open work permit
- ✓ Dependent children may be eligible to study in Canada
- ✓ Family members can be included in the eventual PR application
Consult the IRCC official website or an immigration professional for the current rules on accompanying family members, as eligibility criteria can change with program updates.
Prepare your application documents
Use the Document Checklist to ensure you have everything you need for your caregiver work permit and PR application.
Get Document ChecklistFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need to live with my employer under the new caregiver program?+
No. The live-in requirement was removed when the old Live-In Caregiver Program was replaced. Under the current Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilots, you are not required to live in your employer's home.
Can I change employers while working as a caregiver?+
Your initial work permit is employer-specific (closed). To change employers, you would generally need to apply for a new work permit. In certain circumstances — such as abuse or employer non-compliance — IRCC has provisions to protect vulnerable workers. Consult an immigration professional if you need to change employers.
Does foreign caregiving experience count toward the 24 months?+
No. The 24 months of qualifying work experience must be gained inside Canada under a valid work authorization. Foreign experience does not count toward this requirement for the PR application.
What if I don't meet CLB 5 when I'm ready to apply for PR?+
You will need to retake your language test and achieve CLB 5 before applying for PR. The CLB 4 minimum is only for the work permit stage. Use the time while accumulating your 24 months to improve your language skills if needed.
Are there annual intake caps for caregiver programs?+
Yes. The caregiver pilots have annual admission levels set by IRCC. When intake caps are reached, IRCC may temporarily pause accepting new applications. Always verify the current status of the program before applying.
🛠 Useful tools
Program Finder, Document Checklist, and Language Converter to support your caregiver application.
Your Next Step
Use the ClearToEnter Program Finder to confirm the caregiver pathway is right for your situation, then build your document checklist.
Find My ProgramImportant: This tool provides general information based on publicly available Canadian immigration law (IRPA). Results are not a determination of admissibility. Only a CBSA officer at a port of entry can make admissibility decisions. For complex legal situations, professional guidance may also be beneficial.