Caregivers & Healthcare Support Workers
Work Permits, Hiring & PR Pathways
Caregivers, Nursing Assistants & Healthcare Support Workers — Hiring Options and Immigration Pathways in Canada
Caregivers and healthcare support workers play a vital role in supporting Canadian families, seniors, and vulnerable individuals. Although the dedicated Caregiver Permanent Residence pathways closed in 2024–2025, new programs are expected to reopen in 2026, with updated criteria that may look very different from past caregiver pilots.
At Ann Arbour Consultants Inc., we assist caregivers inside Canada, Canadian employers, retirement homes, long-term care facilities, and healthcare organizations with compliant hiring and immigration solutions.
The Caregiver Permanent Residence Programs – Closed Until 2026
Canada previously offered two PR pathways under the 2025 caregiver pilot programs:
- Home Child Care Provider Pilot (HCCP)
- Home Support Worker Pilot (HSWP)
Both streams are now fully closed.
IRCC has announced a redesigned caregiver PR stream expected to launch in 2026, potentially with:
- New work experience requirements
- Revised education and language benchmarks
- Changes in eligible occupations
- A new employer-focused or job-offer model
- Possible alignment with the new “trusted employer” framework
Until IRCC releases official instructions, no new PR applications can be submitted under caregiver-specific pathways.
General Eligibility Criteria Under the 2025 Caregiver Programs (for reference only)
While the 2026 program may differ significantly, the previous 2025 requirements included:
Caregiver PR – 2025 Program Criteria (Past Requirements)
- A job offer in NOC 44100 (child care provider) or NOC 44101 (home support worker)
- CLB 5 in English or French
- At least 1 year of post-secondary education (or an ECA equivalent)
- Ability to perform caregiving duties
- Police clearance and medical exam
- Either:
- Gained 24 months of authorized Canadian caregiving experience, OR
- Applied through the “Gaining Experience” category with a job offer
These criteria should NOT be assumed to apply to 2026.
We monitor IRCC updates closely and will publish the new eligibility as soon as it becomes available.
Hiring Caregivers Inside Canada Through LMIA (Allowed)
Caregivers inside Canada can be hired through an LMIA-based work permit, provided both employer and employee meet ESDC requirements.
Why can caregivers inside Canada be hired via LMIA:
- They already have status in Canada (worker, student)
- They can transition to an employer-specific work permit
- Processing times are predictable
- ESDC supports caregivers for in-Canada families needing urgent support
This is currently the most reliable pathway for hiring new caregivers after the PR pathway closure.
Hiring Caregivers Outside Canada – LMIA Not Allowed
Canadian employers cannot hire caregivers from outside Canada through the LMIA because caregivers were removed from the overseas recruitment list under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
Why overseas hiring is not permitted:
- Historically high abuse and vulnerability in overseas recruitment
- IRCC/ESDC policy restrictions
- PR pathway closure removed the supporting framework for foreign caregiver recruitment
- IRCC intends to redesign the program before allowing overseas recruitment again
Only caregivers already inside Canada may be hired under LMIA.
Employer Requirements for Hiring a Caregiver (Inside Canada)
Canadian families or organizations hiring a caregiver must demonstrate:
- A genuine need for caregiving services
- Ability to pay the caregiver at or above the provincial median wage
- A safe and respectful working environment
- Compliance with Employment Standards
- A valid employment contract meeting all provincial rules
- Evidence that no Canadians were available for the role (for high-wage LMIAs)
We assist employers with all LMIA compliance steps, including job posting, recruitment proof, wages, contracts, and submission.
Caregiver/Employee Requirements (Inside Canada)
To qualify for an LMIA-based caregiver role, the applicant must:
- Already be inside Canada (visitor, student, worker)
- Have experience or training related to caregiving (formal or informal)
- Be able to perform duties such as personal care, child care, or elderly support
- Provide police clearance and medicals if required
- Meet IRCC eligibility for an employer-specific work permit
We evaluate each worker’s eligibility before matching them with employers.
Hiring Nursing Assistants & Healthcare Support Workers (NOC 33102)
Many caregiving roles fall under NOC 33102 – Nurse Aides, Orderlies, and Patient Service Associates, which remains in demand across Canada’s healthcare system.
Healthcare organizations that can hire under this NOC include:
- Retirement homes
- Long-term care homes (LTCs)
- Hospitals
- Assisted living facilities
- Community care organizations
- Disability support organizations
- Palliative care homes
Hiring Options for Healthcare Facilities
Facilities may hire through:
- LMIA (High-Wage/Low-Wage Stream) – available for NOC 33102
- PNP Employer-Driven Streams (varies by province)
- Francophone Mobility Program (if applicable)
- International graduates already in Canada
- Bridging work permits (where eligible)
We support organizations with recruitment, LMIA, work permit processing, compliance, and settlement.
Duties of Caregivers & Healthcare Support Workers
Typical responsibilities include:
- Personal care (bathing, grooming, mobility assistance)
- Feeding and medication reminders
- Monitoring patient safety
- Companion care and emotional support
- Light housekeeping related to patient care
- Supporting seniors, individuals with disabilities, or children
- Assisting nurses and healthcare professionals
- Providing comfort care in LTC or hospital settings
How Ann Arbour Consultants Inc. Helps Employers & Caregivers
For Employers:
- Determine eligibility to hire a caregiver or healthcare support worker
- LMIA applications (high-wage/Low-Wage or Dual stream)
- Recruitment support and candidate screening
- Employment contract preparation
- Compliance with ESDC, Employment Standards, and provincial rules
- Ongoing employer compliance and audit preparation
For Caregivers/Workers:
- Eligibility assessments
- Work permit preparation
- Extensions and changes of employer
- Transition planning toward future PR pathways
- Advice on maintaining legal status in Canada
We have supported families and healthcare organizations in Ontario, Alberta, BC, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and other provinces.
Future Pathways for Caregivers (2026 and Beyond)
With the upcoming 2026 caregiver PR program redesign, we expect major updates, including:
- New occupation categories
- Updated education or training requirements
- Possible alignment with the new Canadian occupational structure and caregiver certification
- A modernized employer model
- A new “trusted employer” or organization-based system
- Revised work-experience requirements
- New in-demand healthcare pathways
As soon as IRCC releases updates, we will publish the new eligibility and guide employers and caregivers on the correct pathway.
Start Your Caregiver Hiring or Application With Confidence
Whether you are a family looking to hire a caregiver, a healthcare organization needing support workers, or a caregiver already inside Canada seeking legal status, Ann Arbour Consultants Inc. provides complete immigration and recruitment solutions.