Permanent residence for caregivers outside Canada blocked

The Canadian government has blocked permanent residence for caregivers outside Canada. This decision is part of Ottawa’s new immigration policy to manage labor market capacity and reduce pressure on public services.

End of the international stream

The caregiver program was initially designed with two pathways: Home Support and Child Care. However, the stream for applicants outside Canada never opened. On September 29, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officially marked it as closed. This move left many foreign workers, who were waiting for permanent residence, deeply frustrated.

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Alternative immigration options

Despite this closure, other pathways remain available for caregivers. Workers under National Occupation Classification (NOC) 33102—such as nurse aides and patient service assistants—can apply through the Express Entry system. The most recent healthcare draw required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 470. In addition, several Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) still accept applications from caregivers. Provinces like Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland continue to offer tailored pathways for these occupations.

Why IRCC changed its plan

IRCC has not given an official reason. However, the latest Minister Transition Binder indicates that the overwhelming application backlog drove the decision. By September 11, 2025, more than 34,000 caregiver applications were pending. Yet IRCC intended to process only 14 percent of them this year. The backlog includes applications from earlier pilots such as the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot.

Focus on applicants already in Canada

Government priorities clearly favor those inside Canada. In 2025, 4,200 individuals gained permanent residence through caregiver programs. Authorities expect to complete only 600 more cases by year-end. Moreover, Ottawa instructed provinces to dedicate 75 percent of nominations to applicants already living in Canada.

This change underlines that permanent residence for caregivers outside Canada is no longer a priority. Instead, Ottawa focuses on temporary workers and residents already in the country. Experts argue that this strategy reduces system strain and accelerates the processing of backlogged applications.

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