Caregiver hopefuls received disappointing news on 4 January 2026 when IRCC confirmed that the Home Child-Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilots would remain closed “until further notice,” reversing earlier indications that intake could reopen in March. The programmes, each capped at 5,500 applications annually, collectively amassed more than 18,000 pending files—equivalent to three years of processing capacity.
Officials say resources must be redeployed toward streams supporting temporary residents already in Canada, aligning with reduced economic-class targets in the 2026-28 Levels Plan. IRCC will prioritise clearing existing caregiver inventories, many of which date back to 2021, before entertaining new applications.
For families and caregivers now weighing alternative immigration options, VisaHQ can help demystify Canada’s various work-permit categories and status extensions. The firm’s digital platform (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) guides users through eligibility checks, document preparation and appointment scheduling, offering a streamlined way to stay compliant while long-term caregiver pathways remain suspended.
![IRCC Keeps Home-Care Worker Pilots Closed, Citing 18,000-File Backlog]()
For Canadian families relying on live-in caregivers, the freeze complicates hiring plans. Employers may need to pivot to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), which entails Labour-Market Impact Assessments and higher compliance costs. Immigration consultants advise filing LMIA requests at least four months before anticipated start dates due to processing bottlenecks at Service Canada.
Foreign caregivers seeking permanent residence must now explore alternative pathways, such as provincial nominee streams for healthcare aides or pursuing studies that lead to PGWP eligibility. IRCC has not indicated when, or if, a replacement caregiver pathway will be launched.
Advocacy groups warn that continued closures could push some families toward unregulated hiring channels, increasing the risk of exploitation. They urge Ottawa to introduce interim measures, such as occupation-specific open work permits, to keep skilled caregivers in the formal labour market while backlogs clear.
Officials say resources must be redeployed toward streams supporting temporary residents already in Canada, aligning with reduced economic-class targets in the 2026-28 Levels Plan. IRCC will prioritise clearing existing caregiver inventories, many of which date back to 2021, before entertaining new applications.
For families and caregivers now weighing alternative immigration options, VisaHQ can help demystify Canada’s various work-permit categories and status extensions. The firm’s digital platform (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) guides users through eligibility checks, document preparation and appointment scheduling, offering a streamlined way to stay compliant while long-term caregiver pathways remain suspended.
For Canadian families relying on live-in caregivers, the freeze complicates hiring plans. Employers may need to pivot to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), which entails Labour-Market Impact Assessments and higher compliance costs. Immigration consultants advise filing LMIA requests at least four months before anticipated start dates due to processing bottlenecks at Service Canada.
Foreign caregivers seeking permanent residence must now explore alternative pathways, such as provincial nominee streams for healthcare aides or pursuing studies that lead to PGWP eligibility. IRCC has not indicated when, or if, a replacement caregiver pathway will be launched.
Advocacy groups warn that continued closures could push some families toward unregulated hiring channels, increasing the risk of exploitation. They urge Ottawa to introduce interim measures, such as occupation-specific open work permits, to keep skilled caregivers in the formal labour market while backlogs clear.
