Why the Pause Was Announced
The pause is part of Canada’s broader 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, which aims to make the immigration system more responsive to labour market needs while ensuring that application volumes remain manageable. According to IRCC, interest in the home care worker pilots has significantly exceeded available program spaces, leading to a rapidly growing inventory of applications and longer processing times. To address this, IRCC will pause intake to prioritize processing the applications already received.
Key reasons for the pause include:
High demand: A larger number of applicants applied than the programs could accommodate.
Longer wait times: Rising inventory has slowed processing and impacted service standards.
Sustainability goals: The pause supports efforts to balance immigration intake with processing capacity and economic priorities.
What This Means for Prospective Applicants
1. No New Applications Until Further Notice
Although the pilots initially opened earlier in 2025 and were expected to accept new applications again in March 2026, IRCC has confirmed that the intake will not reopen as planned. Until further notice, no new submissions can be made for either home care worker pathway.
2. Existing Applications Will Still Be Processed
If you have already submitted your application before the pause announcement, your file will still be processed. IRCC is continuing work on these applications in alignment with the overall Immigration Levels Plan.
3. Future Intake Uncertain
At this time, IRCC has not provided a timeline for when the pilots will resume accepting applications. Any future updates or changes will be communicated publicly through IRCC channels.
Programs Affected by the Pause
The pause affects both streams of the home care worker pilot programs:
Home Care Worker Immigration (Child Care) Class
Home Care Worker Immigration (Home Support) Class
Historically, these pilots included:
Workers in Canada stream (for those already employed in Canada)
Applicants not working in Canada stream (for those abroad), which has remained closed and never opened for intake even prior to this pause.
Background: The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots
Introduced in 2025, Canada’s Home Care Worker Immigration pilots were designed to be pathways to permanent residence for caregivers with eligible job offers in home support or child care occupations. These programs replaced earlier caregiver pathways and aim to address labour shortages while offering fairer immigration access.
Prior to the pause:
Annual intake caps were established to regulate application volume.
The pilots offered direct PR pathways contingent on job offers, education, and language requirements.
However, due to unprecedented demand—and the fact that many spots filled quickly when the program initially opened—the inventory of pending applications grew faster than IRCC anticipated.
What Applicants Should Know Going Forward
If you planned to apply to the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots in 2026 or later:
✅ You cannot submit a new application at this time under these pilots.
✅ Explore alternative pathways to Canada, such as:
- Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, etc.)
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) that support home care occupations
- Temporary work permit routes (including LMIA-based caregiver work permits)
IRCC’s pause underscores the importance of a flexible immigration strategy, particularly for professions in high demand such as caregiving and health support. Staying informed and prepared with alternative plans will help you navigate changing intake windows. If you have questions or need help evaluating options, consulting with a qualified immigration advisor can clarify your pathway and next steps.
Conclusion
Canada’s decision to pause intake for the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots reflects broader efforts to align immigration programs with processing capacity and labour market needs. While this pause may be disappointing for many hopeful applicants, it also presents an opportunity to reassess your immigration strategy and explore additional pathways to achieving Canadian permanent residence.