Canada is set to introduce several new pathways to permanent residence in 2025.
These new pathways present opportunities for eligible foreign nationals seeking permanent residence.
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Here is a look at the pathways to launch in 2025:
| Pathway | Whom it is for |
| Enhanced Caregiver Pilot Programs (2) | Home care workers such as home child care providers and home support workers |
| Rural Community Immigration Pilot | Those who fulfill labour shortages in select small rural communities in Canada |
| Francophone Community Immigration Pilot | French-speakers who fulfill labour shortages in select small communities outside Quebec |
| Manitoba’s West Central Immigration Initiative pilot | Workers who want to live in communities in Manitoba’s rural west-central region |
Enhanced Caregiver Pilot Programs
Acknowledging the need for more caregivers in the country, IRCC announced two enhanced caregiver pilots on June 2, 2024.
These new pilot programs are set to replace successful pilots that ended in June 2024 — the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot.
Unlike the previous programs, they give homecare workers permanent residency (PR) on arrival in Canada.
Home care workers will also be allowed to work for organizations that provide temporary or part-time care for people who are semi-independent or recovering from an injury or illness.
Details and eligibility:
Candidates need to have:
- A minimum language proficiency of level 4 on the Canadian Language Benchmarks tests;
- The equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma;
- Recent and relevant work experience; and
- An offer for a full-time home care job.
More information on the full launch of the pilots and the eligibility criteria is expected to be released in the coming months.
Rural Community Immigration Pilot
Following the success of the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), IRCC announced the launch of a new Rural Community Immigration Pilot.
The Rural Community Immigration Pilot will provide pathways to PR for newcomers who:
- can help overcome labour shortages; and
- want to live long term in small rural communities in Canada.
Details and eligibility:
This pilot had been scheduled to launch in the fall of 2024 but is now expected to launch in 2025.
Program eligibility criteria are yet to be announced.
Francophone Community Immigration Pilot
This pilot is part of Canada’s Policy on Francophone Immigration, which aims to promote the growth of francophone minority communities.
The Francophone Community Immigration Pilot will focus on increasing the number of French-speaking newcomers settling in francophone minority communities outside of Quebec.
It aims to ensure the “economic development of francophone minority communities, while also helping to restore and increase their demographic weight.”
Details and eligibility:
This pilot was announced at the same time as the Rural Community Immigration Pilot.
As with the Rural Community Immigration Pilot, IRCC will work with select communities participating in the pilots to “attract and retain foreign skilled workers in rural and francophone minority communities.”
Program eligibility is yet to be announced.
Manitoba’s West Central Immigration Initiative pilot
On November 15, Manitoba announced a three-year pilot to address labour market shortages in its rural west-central region.
This will see the province collaborate with seven rural municipalities and Gambler First Nation to meet respective labour market needs.
According to the Manitoba Minister of Labour and Immigration, the pilot is a response to local needs for skilled workers. It builds on the province’s current regional immigration initiatives in Winkler-Stanley, Morden, and the Parkland region.
Details and eligibility
According to the press release, approximately 240-300 people will be needed by the province over the next three years to meet labour market needs.
No launch date or eligibility criteria have been shared so far.
Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration