Caregiver Work Permits in Canada: What 2025 Pilot Applicants Need to Know
Caregivers who applied for permanent residence through Canada’s new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots may face an unexpected problem: their permanent residence application can remain in processing even after their current work permit expires — but they may not qualify for a bridging open work permit.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) states that applicants under the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots that opened in 2025 are not eligible for a bridging open work permit (BOWP).
For caregivers already working in Canada, this can create a serious gap between applying for permanent residence and maintaining the legal right to work.
Why the 2025 Caregiver Program Is Different
Canada launched two new caregiver pathways in March 2025:
Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Child Care
Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Home Support
The programs offered qualifying caregivers a pathway to permanent residence, and demand was so high that the intake caps were reached the day applications opened.
However, being accepted into the permanent residence process does not automatically allow a caregiver to continue working in Canada until a decision is made. That is where the work permit issue becomes important.
What Is a Bridging Open Work Permit?
A bridging open work permit, or BOWP, allows certain permanent residence applicants already in Canada to continue working while IRCC processes their application.
BOWPs are available to qualifying applicants under several economic immigration programs, including some Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Program applications.
The 2025 caregiver pilots are different.
Applicants under these programs are not currently eligible for a BOWP simply because their permanent residence application is being processed.
Receiving an acknowledgement of receipt from IRCC does not, by itself, give a caregiver the right to obtain a bridging work permit.
| Situation | Work Permit Issue | Possible Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Home Care Worker Pilot applicant | Not currently eligible for a bridging open work permit | Review other work permit options |
| Current permit approaching expiry | A PR application alone does not extend work authorization | Assess extension options before expiry |
| Work permit already refused | Right to continue working may have ended | Review restoration, reapplication or legal remedies |
| Certain out-of-status caregivers | A special public policy may apply | Confirm eligibility before taking action |
What Can You Do If Your Caregiver Work Permit Is Expiring?
Not qualifying for a bridging work permit does not necessarily mean there are no other options.
The right strategy will depend on your current status, work permit, employer and immigration history.
1. Consider an employer-specific work permit
IRCC says some caregivers already in Canada may be able to obtain an employer-specific work permit if their employer obtains a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
This process is more complicated than obtaining an open work permit, but it may allow a caregiver to continue working legally in Canada. Ayodele Law assists employers and foreign workers with Canadian work permit applications and immigration status issues.
2. Act before your work permit expires
Timing matters.
In certain circumstances, a worker who submits an eligible work permit extension application before their existing permit expires may be able to continue working under maintained status while IRCC processes the application.
However, not every application gives someone the right to continue working. If an extension is refused, the ability to work under maintained status generally ends.
Caregivers should therefore review their options before their current work permit expires, rather than waiting until they lose status.
What About Caregivers Who Are Already Out of Status?
There is a special public policy for some caregivers who were already out of status or working without authorization when they applied through a specific stream of the caregiver program.
However, the eligibility requirements are narrow.
Among other conditions, eligible applicants generally must have entered Canada legally on or before December 16, 2021 and continuously lived in Canada since then.
Caregivers should not intentionally allow their status to expire assuming that this policy will apply to them.
What If Your Work Permit Has Already Been Refused?
A caregiver work permit refusal should be reviewed quickly. Depending on the circumstances, options may include:
submitting a new work permit application;
restoring temporary resident status, if eligible;
obtaining an LMIA-supported work permit;
requesting reconsideration in appropriate circumstances; or
challenging an unreasonable decision through judicial review at the Federal Court.
Federal Court deadlines can be very short. For immigration decisions made inside Canada, an application for judicial review generally must be started within 15 days after being notified of the decision.
Judicial review does not automatically provide a new work permit. The Court instead considers whether IRCC’s decision was lawful, reasonable and procedurally fair.
Canadian Families Can Be Affected Too
This issue does not only affect foreign caregivers.
Canadian families may rely on caregivers for child care, elderly parents or family members who require ongoing support.
If a caregiver unexpectedly loses authorization to work, the family can also lose someone they may have depended on for months or years.
Employers should therefore review their caregiver’s immigration timeline well before a work permit expires and determine whether an LMIA or another work permit option may be required.
Is Your Caregiver Work Permit Expiring?
Having a permanent residence application in process does not necessarily mean you have the right to continue working in Canada while you wait.
If you applied through the 2025 Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots and your work permit is expiring — or your application has already been refused — it is important to understand your options early.
Ayodele Law helps caregivers and Canadian families with caregiver immigration applications, work permits, restoration of status and immigration refusals.
Contact Ayodele Law to speak with a Toronto immigration lawyer about your situation.
This article provides general information about Canadian immigration law and is not legal advice. Immigration policies can change, and individual circumstances matter.