Your Path from Caregiver to Canadian Permanent Resident

For decades, Filipino caregivers have been the backbone of Canada’s home care industry. Whether caring for children, seniors, or individuals with medical needs, Filipino caregivers have earned a reputation for dedication, compassion, and professionalism.

In March 2025, Canada launched new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots that provide a direct pathway to permanent residence for qualified caregivers. This comprehensive guide explains everything Filipino caregivers need to know about immigrating to Canada in 2026, including eligibility requirements, how to apply, and what to do if you’re already working in Canada.

Current Caregiver Immigration Programs (2025-2026)

Canada’s caregiver immigration landscape has changed significantly. Here’s what’s currently available:

Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (Active)

Launched March 31, 2025, these pilots offer two programs:

Program	Target Occupation	NOC Codes
Child Care Pilot	Home child care providers	NOC 44100, NOC 42202
Home Support Pilot	Home support workers, caregivers	NOC 44101, NOC 33102

Two Application Streams

Stream	For Whom	Status
Stream A: Workers in Canada	Caregivers already working in Canada with valid status	✅ Open (cap fills quickly)
Stream B: Applicants Outside Canada	Qualified caregivers abroad or without Canadian experience	❌ Closed (never opened)

Important Update (September 2025): IRCC closed Stream B without ever accepting applications. This means caregivers outside Canada must first obtain a work permit to work in Canada before they can apply for PR through Stream A.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots, you must meet the following requirements:

Language Proficiency

Minimum CLB/NCLC Level 4 in all four language skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking)
Must use an IRCC-approved language test (IELTS General, CELPIP, TEF, TCF)
Test results must be less than 2 years old at time of application

CLB 4 is relatively accessible. Here’s what it looks like for IELTS:

Skill	IELTS Score for CLB 4
Listening	4.5
Reading	3.5
Writing	4.0
Speaking	4.0

Education

Must have at least a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent
International credentials require an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from a designated organization
ECA must be issued within the last 5 years

Good news: Post-secondary education is not required – high school completion is sufficient!

Work Experience OR Training

You must have ONE of the following:

Option A: Work Experience

6 months of continuous, full-time (30+ hours/week) work experience
Experience must be in a relevant NOC occupation
Must be gained within the last 3 years
Can be from inside or outside Canada

Option B: Training Credential

6+ months of post-secondary training related to home care
Must be completed within the last 2 years
Examples: nursing aide certificate, early childhood education diploma, personal support worker certificate

Job Offer Requirements

Must be a full-time position (minimum 30 hours/week)
Must be for a home care worker role (NOC 44100 or 44101)
Must be in Canada (outside Quebec)
Must be from a private household or organization directly hiring caregivers
NOT from an agency, institution, daycare center, or nursing home

✅ No LMIA Required!
Employers do not need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to hire caregivers under the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots. This makes hiring much faster and easier for Canadian families.

Application Caps

The programs have annual caps that limit how many applications IRCC will accept:

Year	Child Care Pilot Cap	Home Support Pilot Cap
2025-2026	2,610 applications	2,610 applications
2026 onwards	2,750 applications	2,750 applications

Important: When the “Workers in Canada” stream opened on March 31, 2025, it hit its application cap within hours. Be prepared to apply immediately when new intake periods open.

Government Fees

Fee Type	Amount (CAD)
Processing Fee (Principal Applicant)	$950
Right of Permanent Residence Fee	$575
Biometrics	$85
Total (Principal Applicant)	$1,610
Processing Fee (Spouse/Partner)	$950
Processing Fee (Dependent Child)	$260

Tip: IRCC recommends paying the Right of Permanent Residence Fee ($575) upfront to avoid delays in your approval.

Additional Costs

Medical exam: $200–$450 (varies by physician)
Police certificates: Varies by country (NBI clearance ~₱155 or ~$4 CAD)
Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): $200–$300
Language test (IELTS/CELPIP): $300–$350

Step-by-Step: How to Apply

For Caregivers Already in Canada (Stream A)

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Check that you have valid status in Canada (work permit, visitor status with maintained status)
Verify you meet language, education, and experience requirements
Ensure your job offer meets program requirements

Step 2: Gather Documents

Valid passport
Language test results (less than 2 years old)
Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
Proof of work experience (reference letters, pay stubs, T4s)
Job offer letter from employer
Police certificates from all countries lived in for 6+ months since age 18
Photos meeting IRCC specifications

Step 3: Complete Medical Exam

Book an immigration medical exam (IME) with an IRCC-approved panel physician. In Canada, find a designated doctor through the IRCC website.

Step 4: Submit Application Online

Applications are submitted through the IRCC portal. Pay all fees when submitting.

Step 5: Provide Biometrics

After submission, you’ll receive instructions to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo) at a Service Canada location.

Step 6: Wait for Decision

If approved, you’ll receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and your PR card.

For Caregivers Outside Canada

Since Stream B is currently closed, caregivers outside Canada must:

Find a Canadian employer willing to hire you
Obtain a work permit through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (LMIA-based) or LMIA-exempt pathway
Work in Canada to gain 6 months of Canadian experience
Apply for PR through Stream A when the next intake opens

Alternatively, consider Provincial Nominee Programs (see below).

Including Your Family

One of the biggest advantages of the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots is that you can include your family in your PR application:

Spouse or Common-Law Partner

Included in your PR application
Can apply for an Open Work Permit while your application is processing
Can work for any employer in Canada

Dependent Children

Under 22 years old and unmarried
Can receive study permits to attend school in Canada
Included in your PR application

💕 Family Reunification: Unlike older caregiver programs that separated families for years, the new pilots allow you to bring your family to Canada from the start!

Alternative Pathways for Caregivers

If you don’t qualify for the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots or the cap is full, consider these alternatives:

1. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Several provinces actively recruit caregivers:

Province	Program	Key Requirements
Manitoba	Skilled Worker Overseas Stream	Connection to Manitoba, job offer may be required
Ontario	Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream	Job offer from Ontario employer, NOC TEER 0-3
New Brunswick	Priority Occupations Stream	Job offer in priority occupation
Newfoundland	Skilled Worker Category	Job offer, meet language/education requirements

For complete provincial guides, see:

2. Express Entry (Healthcare Category)

If you work as a Nurse Aide, Orderly, or Patient Service Associate (NOC 33102), you may qualify for Express Entry through the Healthcare category-based selection.

Recent CRS cutoff: ~470 points
Requires higher language scores (typically CLB 7+)
No job offer required

3. Temporary Work Permit (Traditional Route)

If you have an employer willing to apply for an LMIA, you can obtain a caregiver work permit and work toward PR eligibility.

LMIA Fee Exemption: Families with gross income under $150,000 hiring a caregiver for children under 13 or individuals with medical needs don’t pay the $1,000 LMIA fee.

Required Documents Checklist

Identity & Status

✅ Valid passport (all pages)
✅ Current Canadian work permit or status document
✅ Birth certificate
✅ Marriage certificate (if applicable)

Language & Education

✅ Language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF)
✅ Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report
✅ High school diploma/transcript
✅ Post-secondary credentials (if using training option)

Work Experience

✅ Reference letters from employers (on letterhead, signed)
✅ Employment contracts
✅ Pay stubs, T4s, or tax returns
✅ Record of Employment (ROE) if applicable

Job Offer

✅ Written job offer letter specifying:
- Job title matching NOC 44100 or 44101
- Full-time hours (30+ hours/week)
- Wages and benefits
- Location of employment
- Employer contact information

Security & Medical

✅ Police certificates (from all countries lived in 6+ months since age 18)
✅ NBI Clearance for Philippines (see our NBI Clearance Guide)
✅ Immigration Medical Exam (IME) results

Photos

✅ IRCC-compliant photos (recent, correct size, white background)

Tips for Filipino Caregivers

1. Get Your NBI Clearance Early

NBI clearance can take time, especially if you have a “hit” (common name match). Apply through the Philippine Consulate in Toronto or online through the NBI website. See our complete guide: NBI Clearance for Canada Immigration.

2. Prepare Your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

Have your Philippine high school or college credentials assessed by WES, IQAS, or another IRCC-designated organization. This can take 8-12 weeks, so start early.

3. Take Your Language Test Soon

IELTS and CELPIP test dates fill up quickly. Book your test well in advance. Remember, you only need CLB 4 – focus on meeting the minimum in all four skills.

4. Maintain Your Status in Canada

If you’re in Canada on a work permit, ensure you extend it before it expires. Losing status can affect your PR eligibility.

5. Document Everything

Keep copies of all employment records, pay stubs, and correspondence with employers. Strong documentation of your work experience is crucial.

6. Be Ready When Caps Open

The application cap fills within hours. Have all your documents ready and your application prepared so you can submit immediately when a new intake opens.

Common Questions (FAQ)

How long does processing take?

Under the new pilots, eligible applicants receive permanent residence upon approval. Processing times vary but are generally faster than previous caregiver programs. Check the IRCC website for current processing times.

Can I change employers while my PR application is processing?

Yes, if you have a valid work permit, you can change employers. However, notify IRCC of any changes to your employment situation.

What if I don’t have 6 months of caregiver experience?

You can qualify with a 6-month training credential in a related field (e.g., personal support worker certificate, early childhood education diploma) completed within the last 2 years.

Can I apply if I’m on a visitor visa?

You must have valid status in Canada, but not necessarily a work permit. However, you need to demonstrate 6 months of relevant work experience (which can be from outside Canada) or training credentials.

What NOC code do home caregivers use?

The main NOC codes are:

NOC 44100 – Home child care providers
NOC 44101 – Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations
NOC 33102 – Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
NOC 42202 – Early childhood educators and assistants

Is there a minimum wage requirement?

The job offer must provide wages that meet or exceed the provincial minimum wage. Most provinces have specific wage requirements for caregivers.

Can I work for multiple families?

Your primary job offer must be full-time (30+ hours/week) with one employer. Part-time work for multiple families typically doesn’t meet the program requirements.

History of Filipino Caregivers in Canada

Filipino caregivers have a proud history in Canada dating back to the 1980s:

1981: Live-in Caregiver Program launched
2014: Caring for Children and Caring for People with High Medical Needs pilots introduced
2019: Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot launched
2024: Previous pilots closed (June 17, 2024)
2025: New Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots launched (March 31, 2025)

Throughout these changes, Filipino caregivers have remained essential to Canadian families, and Canada continues to create pathways for caregivers to achieve permanent residence.

How JCA Law Office Can Help

Navigating caregiver immigration programs can be complex, especially with changing rules and limited application caps. At JCA Law Office, we provide:

Eligibility Assessment – Determine which program best suits your situation
Application Preparation – Complete, accurate applications ready to submit when caps open
Document Review – Ensure all supporting documents meet IRCC requirements
Work Permit Assistance – Help with initial work permits and extensions
Family Inclusion – Include your spouse and children in your application
Alternative Pathways – Explore PNPs and Express Entry if pilots don’t work for you
Philippine Document Assistance – NBI clearance, PSA documents from Canada

Book a Consultation

Ready to start your journey to Canadian permanent residence? Contact JCA Law Office today:

Phone: 1-855-522-5290
Email: [email protected]
Office: Unit 204, 2323 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M4P 2C9
Book Online: Schedule a Consultation

Related Resources

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Consult with a licensed immigration lawyer for advice specific to your situation.

Last Updated: December 2025

Filipino Caregiver Pathway to Canada PR – Complete Guide (2026)