Canada has announced that it will keep its home care worker permanent residence programs closed in 2026.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has confirmed a major change. Foreign workers cannot apply through home care pilots in 2026. New instructions appeared in the Canada Gazette. The notice sets firm dates. The department will “accept no new applications” from March 31, 2026. The pause will last until March 30, 2030.
Before this update, many expected a reopening in spring 2026. Officials had not warned of a longer pause. The announcement surprised many workers and employers. Families relying on care workers now face uncertainty. Workers seeking permanent residence must look elsewhere.
The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Child Care opened on March 31, 2025. The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Home Support opened the same day. Both programs planned to accept applications until March 30, 2026. Demand overwhelmed the system immediately. Both pilots reached their caps within hours. Many eligible workers missed their chance.
The pilots offered a clear path to permanent residence. They targeted workers with job offers in home care. Child care workers qualified under one stream. Home support workers qualified under another. The programs aimed to support families and seniors. They also aimed to keep experienced workers in Canada.
Applicants needed a high school diploma. They also needed minimum language skills. Workers had to show required training or experience. Employers had to provide valid job offers. Only complete applications counted. Officers reviewed files in order received.
The federal government capped applications each year. Caps limited permanent residence visas. This system worked on a first-come basis. Fast submissions mattered most. Many workers prepared for months. Still, caps closed within hours. This pattern repeated across business days.
The new instructions lock the door for four years. The pause will run through 2030. Officials did not explain the long gap. They did not announce replacement programs. Workers must now wait or choose other options. Employers may face staffing pressure.
Pilot programs can run for five years. After that, they expire. Successful pilots can become permanent programs. The government has not confirmed next steps. Officials have not promised a permanent pathway. The future remains unclear.
Care workers fill vital roles across Canada. Families rely on their support daily. Seniors depend on home assistance. Parents depend on child care. The pause may deepen shortages. Advocates urge clear alternatives soon.
The department may announce changes later. Workers should monitor official updates. Employers may need new hiring plans. For now, the pathway remains closed.
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