As a dedicated immigration expert at Rio Immigration, I need to share an important and impactful update. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially closed the “applicants not working in Canada” stream of the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWP). This means the planned international intake for these pilots has been cancelled before it even opened.
While IRCC has not provided an official reason, the data strongly suggests this decision is due to a massive inventory backlog of 34,400 existing caregiver applications. With only a small fraction of these planned for processing in 2025, IRCC is clearly prioritizing clearing the existing queue and, notably, focusing on transitioning temporary residents already inside Canada to permanent residence.
Don’t Panic: Your Immigration Options are Still Open!
If you are a caregiver outside Canada, please know that your dream of moving to Canada is not over. We at Rio Immigration want to guide you through the viable alternatives:
Express Entry for Nurse Aides (NOC 33102): If you are eligible for the National Occupation Classification (NOC) 33102, you remain a strong candidate for Express Entry’s category-based selection through the Healthcare stream. The most recent cut-off was 470 CRS—a highly competitive but achievable score.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Numerous provinces are eagerly seeking caregivers. PNPs in Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador still welcome applicants for a range of home care worker NOC codes. These programs have become more essential than ever!
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Many provinces are actively looking for caregivers. PNPs like those in Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador continue to invite applicants under various home care worker NOC codes. These programs are now more critical than ever!
Why Choose Rio Immigration to Navigate Your Next Steps?
The closure of this stream highlights the need for expert, up-to-date guidance in a constantly changing immigration landscape.
Choose Rio Immigration because:
We Adapt Instantly: We don’t just react to policy changes; we proactively pivot your application strategy to the newly accessible pathways, focusing on Express Entry and the most suitable PNPs.
Targeted PNP Expertise: Our specialists have deep knowledge of specific provincial streams and their unique caregiver requirements, maximizing your chance of receiving a Provincial Nomination.
Customized CRS Approach: We aim to pinpoint all valid methods to boost your CRS score, guaranteeing you remain competitive for the healthcare sector draws in Express Entry.
Don’t let this shutdown be an obstacle. Reach out to Rio Immigration now for a thorough evaluation and allow us to guide you on your successful journey to Canadian Permanent Residency!
