They were caregivers, child care workers and home support workers, living quietly in Canadian homes, waking early and staying late to ensure children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities were cared for with compassion and reliability. Many of them had spent years contributing behind the scenes of Canadian society, yet lacked valid immigration status or authorization to work. Some had overstayed visas, others had fallen out of status for reasons beyond their control. But through it all, they kept working, often silently, hoping for a legal path forward.
In March 2025, that path finally opened. A temporary public policy was announced under Canada’s immigration law, specifically tailored to help these workers regularize their status and move toward permanent residence. It wasn’t just a policy, it was a lifeline.
A Second Chance for Out-of-Status Workers
Under the new public policy, two major streams, the Home Care Worker Immigration (Child Care) Class and the Home Care Worker Immigration (Home Support) Class, created Stream A, a route to permanent residence for those who had experience in the sector but were now without valid status or work authorization.
To qualify, these workers had to meet several criteria. First, they must have legally entered Canada on or before December 16, 2021, and have continuously lived here since. At some point, they must have held a valid work permit. Now, even without valid temporary resident status, or while holding only visitor status; they were allowed to apply for permanent residence through Stream A, as long as they hadn’t filed a refugee claim or received a removal order.
But the most pivotal part of this policy? It exempted them from many of the typical grounds of inadmissibility that previously blocked their applications. For instance:
- They no longer had to prove they would leave Canada after their stay, an often impossible claim for someone seeking to build a life here.
- Misrepresentation tied to overstaying or working without authorization would no longer automatically disqualify them.
- Their accompanying family members, if included in the application, could also benefit from these exemptions, even those outside Canada.
And while the number of accepted applications was capped, 140 for child care and 140 for home support, the impact could still be life-changing for many.
Legal Status While They Wait
Processing a permanent residence application takes time. Recognizing this, a second temporary public policy was also enacted, allowing these workers to restore or extend their temporary resident status, or apply for a work permit while waiting for their PR decision.
This measure meant they could come out of the shadows legally, access health care, work without fear, and protect their families from the instability of being out-of-status. Importantly, this also applied to their in-Canada family members, who could apply for study or work permits as well, restoring stability for entire households.
To be eligible, the principal applicant must have submitted a PR application under Stream A that was accepted for processing. If so, they could apply for:
- Work permit or extension under s. 200 or 201
- Restoration of status under s. 182
- Temporary resident status under s. 181
Again, the same exemption rules would apply, shielding them from inadmissibility due to overstaying or working without authorization. For those already granted exemptions under the PR policy, this measure extended their ability to legally live, work, or study while awaiting final decisions.
This public policy opens on March 31, 2025 and remains in effect for five years, or until revoked.
Don’t Miss This Window of Opportunity
For many home care workers, this dual-policy approach is more than immigration reform, it’s justice long overdue. It acknowledges their value, sacrifices, and essential role in Canadian society. But while the door is now open, the window to act may be short. With limited application caps and strict eligibility criteria, proper guidance is crucial.
Current challenges in this process include determining eligibility, gathering sufficient documentation, and avoiding mistakes that could result in refusals or inadmissibility findings. If you’re a caregiver affected by this public policy or if you represent someone who is, our team of licensed immigration consultants is here to help with:
- Clarifying your eligibility under Stream A
- Preparing and submitting PR applications
- Restoring or extending status
- Representing your case with IRCC
- Supporting accompanying family members
Take this opportunity to finally build your future in Canada with confidence.
