Who can apply

If you’re not authorized to work through one of the above options, you’re not eligible for this stream. For example, you’re not eligible if you’re working without a work permit

• as a business visitor
• under the conditions of your study permit

If you’re a home care worker without status in Canada or authorization to work, you may be eligible for the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots under a public policy.

This public policy exempts a small group of applicants from certain requirements of the Workers in Canada stream. This means that you could still be eligible for the Workers in Canada stream even if

• you don’t have legal status in Canada and are not authorized to work
• you have legal status in Canada as a visitor, but are not authorized to work
• your previous work experience in Canada as a home care worker was
  • not authorized or
  • not gained while you had temporary resident status

You can include accompanying family members in Canada on your application, even if they have overstayed their temporary resident status or worked or studied without authorization.

You must meet

• all other requirements of the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots listed above
• the requirements of the public policy below

Eligibility

Who’s eligible

You must meet these requirements to qualify:

• You’re in Canada when you apply.
• You don’t have authorization to work and you
  • don’t have temporary resident status or
  • are a visitor
• You entered Canada legally on or before December 16, 2021, and have lived here continuously since then.
• You had a work permit at some point during that period.
• You’re not inadmissible to Canada for reasons other than
  • overstaying your temporary resident status
  • working or studying without authorization
  • having a family member who overstayed their temporary resident status or worked or studied without authorization

Who’s not eligible

You’re not eligible for the public policy if any of these situations apply:

• You started living in Canada after December 16, 2021.
• You haven’t had a valid work permit at any point during your current period of residence in Canada. Work permits before this period of residence don’t count.
• You made a refugee claim.
• You’re under a removal order.
• You’re currently in Canada on a study permit.

Restoring your temporary resident status while your permanent residence application is being processed

You and your family members may be eligible to restore or extend your temporary resident status in Canada after you’ve applied for permanent residence under the Workers in Canada public policy stream of 1 of the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots.

Learn more about restoring or extending your status in Canada while your permanent resident application is being processed.